A nine-foot-high whitewashed cross at Landfall Park marks the spot where Columbus presumably landed. The tall, stark, white cross (Mile Marker No. 6), perhaps the most photographed monument, stands at the edge of the water. The white cross, erected on 25th December 1956 by Ruth Durlacher Wolper, commemorates the landfall of Christopher Columbus on San Salvador, during his discovery of the New World in 1492.
Read more...Salvador (historic name, São Salvador da Baía de Todos os Santos, in English: "Holy Savior of All Saints' Bay") is a city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. The first colonial capital of Brazil, the city is one of the oldest in the country and in the New World; for a long time, it was also known as Bahia, and appears under that name on many maps and books from before the mid-20th century. Salvador is the third most populous Brazilian city, after São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and it is the ninth most populous city in Latin America, after Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago of Chile and Caracas.
Read more...A breathtaking sunrise marks the begining of a new days cycle in this primeval wilderness. Just minutes from Miami's modern metropolis, the fargile ecosystem reminds us of our duty to preserve our natural habitats.
Everglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida. The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, it contains the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades marshland region of southwestern Florida. It is visited by one million people each year, and it is the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states after Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance.
This postcard shows the Cades Cove Methodist Church. Methodists in Cades Cove replaced their log church in 1902 with this frame building. John D. McCampbell spent 115 days constructing it and was paid $115. The black-smith-carpenter, who supposedly also made the furnishing, then became the church's minister for many years.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North Carolina runs northeast to southwest through the centerline of the park. It is the most visited national park in the United States. On its route from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail also passes through the center of the park. The park was chartered by the United States Congress in 1934 and officially dedicated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940. It encompasses 814 square miles (2,108 km²), making it one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. The main park entrances are located along U.S. Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) at the towns of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, aNorth Carolina.
Arena is the name of the amphitheatre located in Pula, Croatia. The Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheater to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. It is the sixth largest surviving Roman arena and a rare example, among the 200 Roman surviving amphitheatres, of unique technological solutions. It is also the best preserved ancient monument in Croatia.
The arena had a total of 15 gates. A series of underground passageways were built underneath the arena along the main axis from which animals, ludi scenes and fighters could be released; stores and shops were located under the raked seating. The amphitheatre was part of the circuit of the gladiators.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, OP. Its current Romanesque and Gothic form seen today, situated at the heart of Vienna, Austria in the Stephansplatz, was largely initiated by Rudolf IV and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches, the first being a parish church consecrated in 1147. As the most important religious building in Austria's capital, the cathedral has born witness to many important events in that nation's history and has become one of the city's most recognizable symbols.
Read more...Shirakawa is a village located in the northwest part of Ono District, Gifu, in Gifu prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-go , a small, traditional village showcasing a style of buildings called gassho-zukuri.
The village is located near Takayama, in Gifu. Together with Gokayama in Nanto, Toyama, it is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
Massandra is a townlet in the Yalta region of Crimea. Occupying the spot of an ancient Greek settlement, Massandra was acquired by Counts Potocki in 1783.
In the mid-19th century, it passed to Prince Vorontsov Jr, whose father was the governor of New Russia. Bewitched by a picturesque setting, Vorontsov in 1881 engaged a team of French architects to design for him a château in the Louis XIII style. He died the following year and construction work was suspended until 1889, when the messuage was purchased by Alexander III of Russia. The tsar asked architect Maximilian Messmacher to finish the palace for his own use but he did not live to see it completed in 1900. During the Soviet years, the palace was employed by Joseph Stalin as his dacha.
The Castle of the Moors is located in the town of Sintra, Portugal. The castle is located on a high hill overlooking the town, being one of its most important tourist attractions. It is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra.
As implied by its name, the castle is of Moorish origin, but the current building is the result of a romantic renovation carried out in the 19th century. The views from its walls and towers are breathtaking. The town of Sintra with its royal palace, as well as the Pena National Palace are all visible from the Castle of the Moors.
Costa Verde is a touristic region in northwest Portugal.
Porto, also Oporto in English, is Portugal's second city and capital of the Norte NUTS II region. The city is located in the estuary of the Douro river in northern Portugal. The largest city in the region, Porto is considered the economic and cultural heart of the entire region. The city, which had an estimated population of about 240,000 (2008), lies at the centre of the political Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto, with a population of slightly more than 2.0 millions (est. 2008), and of a broader metropolitan agglomeration (including the city of Braga) with over 3.2 million inhabitants (2008). The city of Porto comprises 15 civil parishes. The historic centre of Porto was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
The Alcobaça Monastery or "Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça" is a mediaeval monastery located in the town of Alcobaça, in central Portugal. It was founded by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, in 1153, and maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout its history.
The church and monastery were the first Gothic buildings in Portugal, and, together with the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, it was one of the most important of the mediaeval monasteries in Portugal.
Epidaurus was a small city (polis) in ancient Greece, at the Saronic Gulf. The modern town Epidavros, part of the prefecture of Argolis, was built near the ancient site.
Epidaurus was independent of Argos and not included in Argolis until the time of the Romans. With its supporting territory, it formed the small territory called Epidauria. Reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo's son Asklepios, the healer, Epidaurus was known for his sanctuary situated about five miles (8 km) from the town, as well as its theater, which is once again in use today.
Mycenae, is an archaeological site in Greece, located about 90 km south-west of Athens, in the north-eastern Peloponnese. Argos is 6 km to the south; Corinth, 48 km to the north. From the hill on which the palace was located one can see across the Argolid to the Saronic Gulf.
In the second millennium BC Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae.
The Metéora which means "suspended rocks", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" in Greek, is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Kalambaka, Greece and is second only to Mount Athos. The monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Peneios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The Metéora is home to six monasteries and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
List of Monasteries:
1) The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
2) The Holy Monastery of Varlaam
3) The Holy Monastery of Rousanou/St. Barbara
4) The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas
5) The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen
6) The Monastery of Holy Trinity
Most of these monasteries are perched on high cliffs and accessible by staircases cut into the rock formations. They were created to serve monks and nuns following the teachings of the Greek Orthodox Church. Much of the architecture of these buildings is Athonite in origin.
Sabah State Mosque is the state mosque of Sabah, located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. It was constructed in 1974. Sabah's State Mausoleum is situated near the mosque.
Read more...Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park was established in 1974, just offshore Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, east Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It comprises 49 square kilometers of which two-thirds are sea, and the rest is coral reefs and five islands. It is named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The Park is administered by Sabah Parks.
Read more...Another one of Mount Kinabalu.
Through this post, I would like to thank Carol from Malaysia, for all her help without which, it was not even possible for me to start my Postcrossing journey. She has been a great driving force and supporter. This blog is inspired from her blog only.
Carol,
Once again, thanks for all you do.
Happy Postcrossing to all.
Kinabalu National Park or Taman Negara Kinabalu in Malay, established as one of the first national parks of Malaysia in 1964, is Malaysia's first World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its "outstanding universal values" and the role as one of the most important biological sites in the world.
Located on the west coast of Sabah, east Malaysia on the island of Borneo; it covers an area of 754 square kilometers surrounding Mount Kinabalu, which at 4,095.2 metres, is the highest mountain on the island of Borneo.
Mount Wuyi is a famous scenic area in China, lying in northern Fujian Province. Mount Wuyi possesses a well-preserved ecological environment on a danxia landform. Its main attractions include Jiuquxi River, 36 peaks and 99 caves. The mountain is also famous for its numerous historical and cultural heritages, as well as rich species of animals and plants.
Read more...The Xianling Tomb, located in Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province, is the mausoleum of Ming Emperor Jiajing’s Parents. The Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in Zunha, Hebei Province are the burial places of 161 Emperors and their family members. The Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty is located Yi County, Hebei Province. The construction of the tombs began in 1730, and was completed 185 years later. The tombs are outstanding representatives of Chinese imperial mausoleum-building art.
Read more...The Dugiangyan Irrigation System s on the middle reaches of the Min River, having a history of over 2,000 years. It is a miracle project, and reputed as the monument in the water conservancy history of China.
Read more...Another card of the Forbidden city. Read more at http://abhishekpostcrossing.blogspot.com/2009/01/forbidden-city-china.html.
Read more...Situated in the southern part of Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Providence, Lushan Mountain covers an area of about 300 sq. kilometers and is also called Kuanglu Mountain. It is noted for the unique waterfalls and the most famous one is the Sandiequan (Three drop spring). The higher peak Dahanyang towers 1,474 meters above sea level. Also it boasts imposing and magnificent peaks, changing sea of cloud, as well as time-honored historical sites. The main specific spots on the mountain include the Peak o0f Five-Old-Men. Honpo Pass, Flower-Path, Immortal’s cave, White-Deer-Cave Academy, and so on.
Read more...The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China,is located at the foot of Mt. Lishan, Shaanxi Province, and covers an area of 56.25 sq. kilometres. the vaults of the Terra-cotta warriors and horses are 1500 meters east of the mausoleum. Over 7000 pottery figures have been unearthed here, including soldiers, chariots and horses. It is known as the "Eights Wonder of the World".
Read more...Mount Qingcheng is a mountain in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China. In Daoism mythology, it was the site of the Yellow Emperor's studies with Ning Fengzhi. As a centre of the Daoist religion it became host to many temples. The mountain has 36 peaks, 8 big caves, 72 lesser caves and 108 scenic spots including 11 Taoist Monasteries and Temples.
Read more...Ghardaïa is the capital city of Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. It is the traditional heart of the M'zab valley, home of the Ibadi Muslim sect in Algeria, and has preserved its original medieval architecture remarkably well.
A traditional human habitat, created in the 10th century by the Ibadites around their five ksour (fortified cities), has been preserved intact in the M’Zab valley. Simple, functional and perfectly adapted to the environment, the architecture of M’Zab was designed for community living, while respecting the structure of the family. It is a source of inspiration for today’s urban planners.
Tassili n'Ajjer is a mountain range in the Sahara desert in southeast Algeria, North Africa. It is located in a strange lunar landscape of great geological interest, this site has one of the most important groupings of prehistoric cave art in the world. More than 15,000 drawings and engravings record the climatic changes, the animal migrations and the evolution of human life on the edge of the Sahara from 6000 BC to the first centuries of the present era. The geological formations are of outstanding scenic interest, with eroded sandstones forming ‘forests of rock’.
Read more...The Potala Palace is located in Lhasa, Tibet. It was named after Mount Potala, the abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara. The Potala Palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India after an invasion and failed uprising in 1959. Today the Potala Palace has been converted into a museum by the Chinese.
Read more...Another one of this magnificent monument. Read more at, http://abhishekpostcrossing.blogspot.com/2009/01/great-wall-of-china.html
Read more...Another card of the Forbidden city. Read more at http://abhishekpostcrossing.blogspot.com/2009/01/forbidden-city-china.html.
Read more...The ensemble of the Jewish Quarter, the old Jewish cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius in Trebíc are reminders of the co-existence of Jewish and Christian cultures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The Jewish Quarter bears outstanding testimony to the different aspects of the life of this community. St Procopius Basilica, built as part of the Benedictine monastery in the early 13th century, is a remarkable example of the influence of Western European architectural heritage in this region.
Read more...Holašovice is a small historic village located in the south of the Czech Republic, 15 kilometres west of Ceské Budejovice. Village belongs to the municipality Jankov. To the south lies the protected landscape area of Blanský Forest. The village was deserted after the Second World War, allowing its medieval plan and vernacular buildings in the South Bohemian Folk or Rural Baroque style to remain intact. It was restored and repopulated from 1990
Read more...St. Barbara's Church, often incorrectly St. Barbara's Cathedral in Kutná Hora (Bohemia) is one of the most famous Gothic churches in central Europe. St Barbara is the patron saint of miners (among others), which was highly appropriate for a town whose wealth was based entirely upon its silver mines.
Read more...The old church at Petäjävesi was built in 1763-1764 to act as a village church in the parish of Jämsä; the dedication did not, however, take place until 1778. In 1779 Petäjävesi was made a subordinate parish and in 1867 an independent parish. In 1879 a new church was built for the parish but the old church was not abandoned.
UNESCO considered it to be a representative Lutheran church of the Scandinavian tradition, mixing Renaissance with older Gothic elements.
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states. The Historic Centre of Riga has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world.
Read more...Art Nouveau monuments are now recognized by UNESCO on their World Heritage List as significant contributions to cultural heritage. The historic center of Riga, Latvia, with "the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe", was inscribed on the list in 1997 in part because of the "quality and the quantity of its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture".
Art Nouveau is an international movement and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905). The name 'Art nouveau' is French for 'new art', it is also known as Jugendstil, German for 'youth style', named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it. A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly-stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.
A typical card from Baarn, Netherlands. The message on the card means "Greetings from Baarn".
Baarn is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht.
A beautiful postcard from Germany. The card had "Heimwärts" written on back. It means "homeward" or "in a homeward direction".
I live about 700 miles far from my home due to my work and go to my home once a year. So this one was so special to me....
Southwest Coast National Scenic Area is a central-government designated tourism area in Taiwan, Republic of China.
The scenic area, which was set up in November 2003, covers parts of Tainan County, Chiayi County, and Yunlin County. It promotes tourist attractions on land and at sea between Taiwan Highway 17 in the east, and where the ocean reaches a depth of 20 meters.
Yale University is a private university in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is a member of the Ivy League. According to U.S. News and World Report's 2008 World's Best Colleges and Universities index, Yale ranks second among the top 200 universities in the world. Yale is widely regarded as one of the leading and most prestigious universities in the world, and it has produced a number of U.S. presidents and foreign heads of state.
