Postcards Around the World

2012-12-21

Old Town of Toruń - Poland (UNESCO)

Unused, offered by "geminiscp"

"Torun owes its origins to the Teutonic Order, which built a castle there in the mid-13th century as a base for the conquest and evangelization of Prussia. It soon developed a commercial role as part of the Hanseatic League. In the Old and New Town, the many imposing public and private buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries (among them the house of Copernicus) are striking evidence of Torun's importance." In: UNESCO

2012-12-20

Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux - France

Unused

"The Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (French: Basilique Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux) is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Located in Lisieux, France, the large basilica can accommodate 4,000 people, and, with more than two million visitors a year, is the second largest pilgrimage site in France, after Lourdes. Pope John Paul II visited the Basilica on 2 June 1980." In: Wikipedia

2012-12-19

Pantanal of Matogrosso - Brazil (UNESCO)

Sent by "geminiscp", The Great Egret, one of the species that can be found in Pantanal.

"The Pantanal Conservation Complex consists of a cluster of four protected areas with a total area of 187,818 ha. Located in western central Brazil at the south-west corner of the State of Mato Grosso, the site represents 1.3% of Brazil's Pantanal region, one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The headwaters of the region's two major river systems, the Cuiabá and the Paraguay rivers, are located here, and the abundance and diversity of its vegetation and animal life are spectacular." In: UNESCO

2012-12-18

Pedra Bela belvedere in Gerês - Portugal

Unused,

"The Peneda-Gerês National Park (Portuguese: Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês), also known simply as Gerês, is the only national park in Portugal (although many natural parks, protected landscapes, and reserves exist across the nation). It is located in the Norte region, in the northwest of Portugal, specifically in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, and Vila Real.

The park was created on 8 May 1971 due to its national and international scientific interest, with the aim to protect the soil, water, flora, fauna, and landscape, while preserving its value to the existent human and natural resources. Education and tourism are also goals of the park." In: Wikipedia

2012-12-17

Fortress of Suomenlinna in Helsinki - Finland (UNESCO)

Unused, offered by "geminiscp"

"Built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of islands located at the entrance of Helsinki's harbour, this fortress is an especially interesting example of European military architecture of the time." In: UNESCO

2012-12-16

Grenoble-Bastille Cable car - France

Unused,

"The Grenoble-Bastille Cable car (French: Téléphérique de Grenoble Bastille), also affectionately known as The bubbles (French: Les bulles), was inaugurated on 29 September 1934 in the city of Grenoble." In: Wikipedia

2012-12-15

Altai Mountains - Russia (UNESCO)

Unused, offered by "geminiscp"

"The Altai mountains in southern Siberia form the major mountain range in the western Siberia biogeographic region and provide the source of its greatest rivers – the Ob and the Irtysh. Three separate areas are inscribed: Altaisky Zapovednik and a buffer zone around Lake Teletskoye; Katunsky Zapovednik and a buffer zone around Mount Belukha; and the Ukok Quiet Zone on the Ukok plateau. The total area covers 1,611,457 ha. The region represents the most complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones in central Siberia, from steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forest, subalpine vegetation to alpine vegetation. The site is also an important habitat for endangered animal species such as the snow leopard." In: UNESCO

2012-12-14

Temple of Heaven in Beijing - China (UNESCO)

unused, offered by "geminiscp"

"The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout and that of its individual buildings, it symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and God's world – which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship." In: UNESCO

2012-12-13

Louvre Palace - France

used,

"The Louvre Palace, on the Right Bank of the Seine in Paris, is a former royal palace situated between the Tuileries Gardens and the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois. Its origins date back to the medieval period, and its present structure has evolved in stages since the 16th century. It was the actual seat of power in France until Louis XIV moved to Versailles in 1682, bringing the government with him. The Louvre remained the nominal, or formal, seat of government until the end of the Ancien Régime in 1789. Since then it has housed the celebrated Musée du Louvre as well as various government departments." In: Wikipedia

2012-12-12

RU-1108864 - The Catherine Palace (UNESCO)

RU-1108864 sent by "Lerok91"

"The Catherine Palace is a Rococo palace located in the town of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), 25 km south-east of St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars." In: Wikipedia

It belongs to the UNESCO WHS named "Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments"