Tavira - Portugal

© Photo: Michael Howard

© Al-Garbdistri

Both sent by Mónica Castro

"Tavira is a Portuguese city, situated at 37°07' north, 7°39' west in the east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. It is 30 km east of Faro and 160 km west of Seville in Spain. The Gilão River meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira." In: Wikipedia

Santiago de Compostela - Spain (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO#347; © Ediciones Arribas

 View over the Cathedral, sent by Claúdia Ferreira

UNESCO#347; © Ediciones Arribas

Plaza de las Platerías, sent by Cláudia Ferreira

"This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of St James and the cathedral, which contains the remarkable Pórtico de la Gloria." In: UNESCO

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland - United Kingdom (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO #728; © Photo: Ian Mills

 Sent by "joana122"

UNESCO #728; © Photo: Colin Baxter

"Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neoclassical New Town, whose development from the 18th century onwards had a far-reaching influence on European urban planning. The harmonious juxtaposition of these two contrasting historic areas, each with many important buildings, is what gives the city its unique character." In: UNESCO

Berlin Wall - Germany

© Photo: Burmeister

Sent from Portugal by "gracinha" an amazing piece of history!

"The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period." In: Wikipedia

Köln Cathedral - Germany (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO #292; © Citysights, Photo: Webb Aviation

UNESCO #292; © Citysights, Photo: W. Scheuer

Unused.

"Begun in 1248, the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. Over seven centuries, successive builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. Apart from its exceptional intrinsic value and the artistic masterpieces it contains, Cologne Cathedral testifies to the enduring strength of European Christianity." In: UNESCO

FI-587471 - Reindeer

© Papperix AB

FI-587471 sent by "Huppu68"

"The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as the caribou in North America, is a species of deer native to Arctic and Subarctic regions. This includes both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and at least one has already gone extinct.

Reindeer vary considerably in color and size. Both sexes grow antlers, though they are typically larger in males. However, there are a few populations in which females lack antlers completely." In: Wikipedia

The Mosque of Córdoba - Spain (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO WHS #313; © FISA

Unused, sent by "caracolinho"

"The Historic Centre of Cordoba now comprises the streets surrounding the monument and all the parcels of land opening on to these, together with all the blocks of houses around the mosque-cathedral. To the south this area extends to the further bank of the River GuadaIquivir (to include the Roman bridge and the Calahorra), to the east to the Calle San Fernando, to the north to the boundary of the commercial centre, and to the west to incorporate the AIcázar des los Reyes Cristianos and the San Basilio quarter. The city, by virtue of its extent and plan, its historical significance as a living expression of the different cultures that have existed there, and its relationship with the river, is a historical ensemble of extraordinary value." In: UNESCO

DE-426293 - Art work by Joan M. Giroux

Dinag format

DE-426293 sent by "misoklau"

Information on the card: ""a meeting of two instruments... or... just the other day when terrorists hit the marionette factory" an installation work-in-progress by Joan M. Giroux"

Harrods Hampers and Gifts 2010 - United Kingdom

© Harrods

This card has a few years... It was sent directly from the Harrolds Company before the Christmas time of 2010.

Cagliari, Sardegna - Italy

© Italo Innocenti

Sent by "zepombal"

"An ancient city with a long history, Cagliari has seen the rule of several civilizations. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia (which in 1861 became the Kingdom of Italy) from 1324 to 1848, when Turin became the formal capital of the kingdom. Seat of the University of Cagliari from 1607 and the Primate Roman Catholic archdiocese of Sardinia, from the 5th century AD, the city is a regional cultural, educational, political and artistic centre, known for its diverse Art Nouveau architecture and several monuments. It is also Sardinia's economic and industrial hub, having one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean sea, an international airport, and the 28th highest income rate in Italy, comparable to several Northern cities, such as Turin, Vicenza and Genoa. Under the buildings of the modern city there is a continuous stratification of human settlements of about five thousands years, from the Neolithic to today. There are some domus de janas, very damaged by cave activity, a large Carthaginian era necropolis, a Roman era amphitheater, a Byzantine basilica, two Pisan-era towers, a strong system of fortification that made the town the core of the Spanish Habsburg imperial power in the western Mediterranean sea. Its natural resources have always been its sheltered harbor, the oft-powerfully fortified hill of Monti Castru, the modern Casteddu, the salt from its lagoons, and, from inland, the Campidanian plain wheat and the Iglesiente mines." In: Wikipedia