Postcards Around the World: 2013/01

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

2013-01-21

Festivities in honour of the Rainha Santa - Portugal

Sent by "kryx87"

"The Rainha Santa's Celebrations is the most genuine expressions of devotion to Queen Isabel, patroness of the City, wife of King Dinis. Woman of great piety, always expressed deep love and sensitivity to the needs of poor and excluded, and is therefore called the Rainha Santa (holy queen).

He was canonized in 1625 and Coimbra on that occasion expressed his enthusiasm and joy, celebrating the day with festivities which lasted for a week.

Today the festival is held every two years, a symbiosis of religious and profane expressions. The highlights are the two religious processions, a night and another day in which the image of Veneranda is carried on shoulders to the Igreja da Graça, back in the following Sunday, the place of origin, the Convent of Santa Clara-a-Nova.

Date: July (Biennial - pair years)" In: Confort Inn Hotel

2013-01-20

Glenmacnass waterfall in Wicklow - Ireland (PC Meeting Dublin 29-09-2012)

Sent by "fisherman" from the Postcrossing Meeting in Dublin 29/09/2012

"The River Glenmacnass flows south across the highest mountain in western Wicklow, Mt. Mullaghcleevaun (848m/2,781 ft.). At one point, it reaches the edge of a plateau and flows off the edge quite spectacularly. There's a parking lot near the top, and a path to the falls, but take care on the rocks, which can be treacherous." In: Frommers

2013-01-19

Covadonga - Spain

All the card are unused, brought by Claúdia.

Basilica of Covadonga

Santuary

Panoramic view

"Covadonga (Asturian: Cuadonga, from Latin: Cova Dominica, "Cavern of the Lady", Arabic: صخرة بلاي‎ Ṣakhrat Bilāy ("the rock of the affliction or of the putting to the test")) is a village and one of 11 parishes in Cangas de Onís, a municipality within the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northwestern Spain. It is situated in the Picos de Europa mountains." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-18

"Crystal Tower" by Francisco Brennand in Recife - Brazil

Hans (photo) / Dicol

Sent by Déa

On this card we can see some towers of the Sculpture Park in Recife. The tower in the center is the "Crystal Tower" by Francisco Brennand. The photo was taken from the Marco Zero Square.

2013-01-17

Rock of Gibraltar - Gibraltar

Unused.

"The Rock of Gibraltar is a monolithic limestone promontory located in Gibraltar, off the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is 426 m (1,398 ft) high. The Rock is Crown property of the United Kingdom, and borders Spain. The sovereignty of Gibraltar was transferred from Spain to the Kingdom of Great Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 after the War of the Spanish Succession. In 2002, the United Kingdom and Spain were working on "ending the centuries-old [sovereignty] dispute over the rock." Most of the Rock's upper area is covered by a nature reserve, which is home to around 250 Barbary macaques. These macaques, as well as a labyrinthine network of tunnels, attract a large number of tourists each year." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-16

City Hall of Sintra - Portugal (UNESCO)

RR Portugal G74 UNESCOS, sent by "ninocas"

2013-01-15

Midtown New York City skyline - USA

The amazing skyline of New York, sent by Rita.

"New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. The city is referred to as New York City or the City of New York to distinguish it from the State of New York, of which it is a part. A global power city, New York exerts a significant impact upon commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment. The home of the United Nations Headquarters, New York is an important center for international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural capital of the world." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-14

Sights of London - United Kingdom

Lambert Souvenirs

Sent by Mónica Castro

2013-01-13

La Lonja of Valencia - Spain (UNESCO)

Unused, sent by "geminiscp"

"Built between 1482 and 1533, this group of buildings was originally used for trading in silk (hence its name, the Silk Exchange) and it has always been a centre for commerce. It is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. The grandiose Sala de Contratación (Contract or Trading Hall), in particular, illustrates the power and wealth of a major Mediterranean mercantile city in the 15th and 16th centuries." In: UNESCO

2013-01-12

Dog - United Kingdom

Sent by Mónica Castro

2013-01-11

The Eiffel Tower in Paris - France (UNESCO)

Unused.

"The Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel) is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011. The third level observatory's upper platform is at 279.11 m the highest accessible to public in the European Union and the highest in Europe as long as the platform of the Ostankino Tower, at 360 m, remains closed as a result of the fire of August 2000. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

The tower stands 320 metres (1,050 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. However, because of the addition, in 1957, of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building. Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-10

"Fallow me to Costa Verde" - Portugal

Unused, sent by Sapic12

This time the Barcelo's Rooster is green to promote the Costa Verde (Green Coast) area.

2013-01-09

Cave of Altamira - Spain (UNESCO)

Unused, sent by Sapic12

"Seventeen decorated caves of the Paleolithic age were inscribed as an extension to the Altamira Cave, inscribed in 1985. The property will now appear on the List as Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain. The property represents the apogee of Paleolithic cave art that developed across Europe, from the Urals to the Iberian Peninusula, from 35,000 to 11,000 BC. Because of their deep galleries, isolated from external climatic influences, these caves are particularly well preserved. The caves are inscribed as masterpieces of creative genius and as the humanity’s earliest accomplished art. They are also inscribed as exceptional testimonies to a cultural tradition and as outstanding illustrations of a significant stage in human history." In: UNESCO

2013-01-08

Château de Chambord - France (UNESCO)

Used, sent from Chaumont-sur-Loire (France) to Nice (France) with postmark from 11/03/1957

"The royal Château de Chambord at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France, is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by King François I in part to be near to his mistress the Comtesse de Thoury, Claude Rohan, wife of Julien de Clermont, a member of a very important family of France, whose domaine, the château de Muides, was adjacent. Her arms figure in the carved decor of the château.

Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for François I, who maintained his royal residences at Château de Blois and Château d'Amboise. The original design of the Château de Chambord is attributed, though with several doubts, to Domenico da Cortona. Some authors claim that the French Renaissance architect Philibert Delorme had a considerable role in the château's design, and others have suggested that Leonardo da Vinci may have designed it." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-07

Aveiro - Portugal

Sent by SusanaPortugal

"Aveiro is a city in Aveiro Municipality in Portugal, with a total area of 199.9 km², a total population of 78,463 inhabitants, and 61,430 electors (2006). It is the second most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal, after Coimbra. However, the city of Aveiro together with neighbouring Ílhavo, make one conurbation which has a population of 119,258 inhabitants, making it one of the most important by population density in the Centro Region. The municipality is composed of 14 parishes (freguesias), and is located in Aveiro District and the chief city of Baixo Vouga." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-06

FI-1572760 - Tvinde waterfall in Voss

FI-1572760 sent by "miarhi"

"As it is situated along the major highway running east out of Bergen, and en route to the famous Næroyfjord to boot, Tvindefossen is among the most popular and famous waterfalls in Norway. Though the drainage area for the stream isn’t large by any standard, the Kroelvi produces a powerful waterfall as it thunders 379 feet over a rugged cliff and descends an immensely photogenic series of stairsteps before flowing through a meadow below. Because of the small size of each step and the lack of uniformity of the steps across the broad width of the falls, it’s hard to conclusively determine exactly how many steps the falls consist of, but we would conservatively say at least 10 distinct tiers are present." In: World Waterfall Database

2013-01-05

Cathedral of Rheims - France

Sent by stefdu44

"The outstanding handling of new architectural techniques in the 13th century, and the harmonious marriage of sculptural decoration with architecture, has made Notre-Dame in Reims one of the masterpieces of Gothic art. The former abbey still has its beautiful 9th-century nave, in which lie the remains of Archbishop St Rémi (440–533), who instituted the Holy Anointing of the kings of France. The former archiepiscopal palace known as the Tau Palace, which played an important role in religious ceremonies, was almost entirely rebuilt in the 17th century." In: UNESCO

2013-01-04

Waterfall at Nachal Arugot, Ein Gedi - Israel

Unused.

"Ein Gedi (Hebrew: עֵין גֶּדִי) is an oasis in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the caves of Qumran.

[...]Ein Gedi nature reserve was declared in 1971 and is one of the most important reserves in Israel. The park is situated on the eastern border of the Judean Desert, on the Dead Sea coast, and covers an area of 14000 dunams (one modern dunam equals the area of one decare).

The elevation of the land ranges from the level of the Dead Sea at 423 meters (1,388 ft) below sea level to the plateau of the Judean Desert at 200 meters above sea level. Ein Gedi nature reserve includes two spring-fed streams with flowing water year-round: Nahal David and Nahal Arugot. Two other springs, the Shulamit and Ein Gedi springs, also flow in the reserve. Together, the springs generate approximately three million cubic meters of water per year. Much of the water is used for agriculture or is bottled for consumption." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-03

Madama Palace in Torino - Italy

Unused, offered by "geminiscp"

"When Emmanuel-Philibert, Duke of Savoy, moved his capital to Turin in 1562, he began a vast series of building projects (continued by his successors) to demonstrate the power of the ruling house. This outstanding complex of buildings, designed and embellished by the leading architects and artists of the time, radiates out into the surrounding countryside from the Royal Palace in the 'Command Area' of Turin to include many country residences and hunting lodges." In: UNESCO

2013-01-02

Christmas postcards 2012 (V)

"This bottle is unique. So do you!" ("Esta garrafa é única. Assim como tu!), sent from Portugal by "leninha"

"This Christmas, trade the gifts for kisses and give happiness to those you love the most" (Este Natal, troca as prendas por beijos e oferece felicidade a quem mais amas.", sent from Portugal