Postcards Around the World

2013-01-31

Bom Jesus Sanctuary, Braga - Portugal (Postcrossing Meeting Braga 05/01/2013)

Sent from the Postcrossing Meeting in Braga 05/01/2013

"Bom Jesus do Monte is a Portuguese sanctuary in Tenões, surroundings of the city of Braga, in northern Portugal. Its name means Good Jesus of the Mount.

The Sanctuary is a notable example of pilgrimage site with a monumental, Baroque stairway that climbs 116 metres (381 feet). It is an important tourist attraction of Braga." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-30

Green sea turtle from Carolina coast - USA

US-1924504 sent by "david2051"

Information on the back side: "The green sea turtle grows to a maximum size of about 4 feet and weight of 440 pounds" .

"The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), also known as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle, or Pacific green turtle, is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The common name derives from the usually green fat found beneath its carapace.

This sea turtle's dorsoventrally flattened body is covered by a large, teardrop-shaped carapace; it has a pair of large, paddle-like flippers. It is usually lightly colored, although in the eastern Pacific populations parts of the carapace can be almost black. Unlike other members of its family, such as the hawksbill sea turtle and loggerhead sea turtle, C. mydas is mostly herbivorous. The adults commonly inhabit shallow lagoons, feeding mostly on various species of seagrasses." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-29

A pagan temple - Nigeria

Used, sent on 27/06/1913 from Paris (France) to Braga (Portugal)

In the front is written "Mission des Pères du Saint-Esprit - Nigeria - Un temple païen" (Missions of the Holy Ghost Fathers)

"The Congregation of the Holy Spirit (full title, Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or in Latin, Congregatio Sancti Spiritus sub tutela Immaculati Cordis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae, and thus abbreviated C.S.Sp.) is a Roman Catholic congregation of priests, lay brothers, and since Vatican II, lay associates. Congregation members are known as Spiritans in Continental Europe, and as the Holy Ghost Fathers in English-speaking countries, although even there, they are becoming known as Spiritans. A Spiritan priest or brother has the abbreviation C.S.Sp. after his name." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-28

Elvas - Portugal (UNESCO)

Sent by "gracinha"

Elvas belongs to the UNESCO world heritage since last year, 2012.

"The site, extensively fortified from the 17th to 19th centuries, represents the largest bulwarked dry-ditch system in the world. Within its walls, the town contains barracks and other military buildings as well as churches and monasteries. While Elvas contains remains dating back to the 10th century ad, its fortification began when Portugal regained independence in 1640. The fortifications designed by Dutch Jesuit padre Cosmander represent the best surviving example of the Dutch school of fortifications anywhere. The site also contains the Amoreira aqueduct, built to enable the stronghold to withstand lengthy sieges." In: UNESCO

2013-01-27

Cathedral of Oviedo - Spain

Unused, brought by Claúdia

"The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour or Cathedral of San Salvador (Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Salvador, Latin: Sancta Ovetensis) is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica in the centre of Oviedo, in the Asturias region of northern Spain.

The Cathedral of San Salvador of Oviedo today displays an array of architectural styles, from Pre-Romanesque to Baroque, including Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance parts. It began as a large Pre-Romanesque basilica in the present location of the Gothic cathedral, but nothing more is known about that first building, built by order of King Alfonso II of Asturias." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-26

Big rooster from Indonesia

Sent by Shinta

A fantastic rooster came from Indonesia! In the front says: " Being the owner of a cock makes him proud"

2013-01-25

Museu da Inconfidência, Ouro Preto - Brazil (UNESCO)

RR em Português G74, sent by Gi_Poletto. Actually is the second time that I receive this card, but is a card that I like.

"The creation of the Inconfidência Museum was supported by the Getulio Vargas administration and a group of intellectuals who wanted to memorialize the fight for an autonomous, unified, and independent Brazil. Thus, the spirit of liberation would be not only preserved, but relived by each visitor to the museum. The museum achieved this goal. After many years of operations, research, and a renovation project that brought 21st century technology to the institution, the Inconfidencia Museum continues to tell visitors this story." In: Era Virtual

2013-01-24

Chamrousse ski resort, Belledonne - France

Unused

"Chamrousse is a ski resort in the Belledonne range of mountains near Grenoble in the Isère department in south-eastern France. It is located in a commune of the same name. It is situated on the Recoin at 1650 m (5413') and the Roche Béranger at 1750 m (5741'). The ski-lifts reach the Cross of Chamrousse at 2253 m, 7392'.

Chamrousse hosted the six alpine skiing events at the 1968 Winter Olympics, where Jean-Claude Killy of France won three gold medals in the men's events. All women's events took place at Recoin de Chamrousse, located 2 km away." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-23

Natural History Museum, London - United Kingdom

Sent by Mónica Castro

Clockwise from top left: Diplodocus skeleton, Dromaeosaurus, view of the Museum, Triceratops skull, Raphus cucullatus, dodo.

"The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England (the others are the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum). Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road. The museum is an exempt charity, and a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Although commonly referred to as the Natural History Museum, it was officially known as British Museum (Natural History) until 1992, despite legal separation from the British Museum in 1963.

The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 70 million items within five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology. The museum is a world-renowned centre of research, specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Darwin. The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive books, journals, manuscripts, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments. Access to the library is by appointment only." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-22

Key West - USA

Sent from Portugal by "zepombal"

"Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 (the Overseas Highway) (east), Sigsbee Park (north, originally known as Dredgers Key), Fleming Key (north), and Sunset Key (west, originally known as Tank Island). Both Fleming Key and Sigsbee Park are part of Naval Air Station Key West and are inaccessible by civilians. Key West is the county seat of Monroe County. Key West is the southernmost city in the Continental United States. It is also the southern terminus of U.S. 1, State Road A1A, the East Coast Greenway and, before 1935, the Florida East Coast Railway." In: Wikipedia