2009-09-06 ~ Abhishek's PostCrossing Journey

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Hōryū-ji Temple in Spring, Japan

Japan-18, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, named as such because the site serves as a seminary as well as a monastery. The temple is widely acknowledged to have one of the oldest wooden buildings existing in the world, and is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. In 1993, Hōryū-ji was inscribed together with Hokki-ji as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area. The Japanese government lists several of its structures, sculptures and artifacts as National Treasures.

Sunset view from the top of the Jade Emperor, China

China-56, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

Mount Tai is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong Province, China. The tallest peak is Jade Emperor Peak, which is commonly reported as 1545 metres (5069 ft) tall, but is described by the Chinese government as 1532.7 metres (5028.5 ft).
Mount Tai is one of the "Five Sacred Mountains". It is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five. The temples on its slopes have been a destination for pilgrims for 3,000 years.

Belin Monuments, Germany

Germany-38, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

Beautiful calendar card from Berlin

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia_and_Herzegovina-3, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad, across the Drina River in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, was completed in 1577 AD by the Ottoman court architect Sinan on the order of the Grand Vizier Mehmed Paša Sokolović. It is characteristic of the apogee of Ottoman monumental architecture and civil engineering.

Euphrasian Basilica, Croatia

Croatia-5, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

The Euphrasian Basilica is a basilica in Poreč, Croatia. The episcopal complex, including, apart the basilica itself, a sacristy, a baptistery and the bell tower of the nearby archbishop's palace, is one of the best examples of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean region. Because of its exceptional value, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

Diocletian's Palace, Croatia

Croatia-6, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

Diocletian's Palace is a building in Split, Croatia that was built by the Roman emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD.
Diocletian built the massive palace in preparation for his retirement on 1 May 305 AD. It lies in a bay on the south side of a short peninsula running out from the Dalmatian coast, four miles from Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.

After the Romans abandoned the site, the Palace remained empty for several centuries. In the 7th century nearby residents fled to the walled palace to escape invading barbarians. Since then the palace has been occupied, with residents making their homes and businesses within the palace basement and directly in its walls. Today many restaurants and shops, and some homes, can still be found within the walls.