Canary Islands: Casa de Colón in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

On Saturday I got three postcards: one from the Canary Islands, one from Italy and one from Belgium.

The card from the Canary Islands shows the Casa de Colón in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the most populous city of the Canary Islands and one of its two co-capitals. It is also the ninth largest city in Spain.

The Casa de Colón is located near the cathedral. It was once the residence of the governor and in 1492 Christopher Columbus visited the house. Today it houses a museum about Columbus and his journeys.

With a nice stamp:
International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (from set of two) (issued 17-01-2017)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Belgium: Town Hall of Leuven

On Saturday I got three postcards: one from Belgium, one from the Canary Islands and one from Italy.

The card from Belgium shows the Town Hall of Leuven. Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant and the eighth largest city of Belgium. It is also home to the oldest and largest university in Belgium.

During World War I on 25th August 1914 the city was ravaged by rampaging German soldiers, as they were in fear of Belgian franctireurs. Nearly 300 civilians lost their lifes and a sixth of the city was destroyed including the university library with its important book collection. The destruction of Leuven was one of cruelest German war crimes during World War I and contributed greatly to the propagandistic image of the Rape of Belgium.

With a matching stamp:
Centenary of World War I (two from set of five) (issued 06-10-2014)

Thank You very much Gerda!

Italy: Military Sacrarium in Oslavia

On Saturday I got three postcards: one from Italy, one from Belgium and one from the Canary Islands.

The card from Italy shows the Military Sacrarium in Oslavia. The Military Sacrarium in Oslavia was erected in 1938 to remember the victims of World War I. It houses the remains of nearly 60000 soldiers. The most of them are from Italy, but there are also a few victims from Austria. 

Stamp:
Italian City Squares (from set of eight) (issued 02-07-2016)

Thank You very much Cristina!

USA: Yosemite National Park

On Friday I got two postcards: one from the USA and one from Hong Kong.

The card from the USA shows the Yosemite National Park in the US State of California. The Yosemite National Park was established in 1890. It is known for its granite cliffs, clear streams and biological diversity. Since 1984 it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamps:
Pickup Trucks (three from set of four) (issued 15-07-2016)

Thank You very much Morgan!

Hong Kong: Tao Fong Shan

On Friday I got two postcards: one from Hong Kong and one from the USA.

The card from Hong Kong shows the Tao Fong Shan Big Cross. Tao Fong Shan is a hill in Hong Kong's New Territories. In 1930 the Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre was founded at the hill.

The card was used to create a maxicard. The stamp is from a set of six stamps about outdoor activities and was issued on 16th May 2017. 

Thank You very much Joe!

Germany: Brunswick Palace

On Wednesday I got two postcards from Germany

One of them shows the Brunswick Palace. The Brunswick Palace was built by Carl Theodor Ottmer between 1831 and 1841 as residence for the Dukes of Brunswick. During World War II the palace was heavily damaged and in 1960 it was demolished, but between 2005 and 2007 it was rebuilt using Ottmer's plans and original stones. Today it houses the city library, the city archive, the Ducal Palace Museum and a shopping centre. The palace is crowned by Europe's largest quadriga. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reconstruction a big festival was held in the palace in early May.

Stamp:
Lily of the Valley (issued 06-05-2010)
with a special postmark from the festival

In 2011 the Ducal Palace Museum was opened in the left wing. It is a history museum and shows the original furniture of the palace. Other themes of the museum are the history of the palace and of the Duchy of Brunswick.

Germany: Trinity Church in Wolfenbüttel

On Wednesday I got two postcards from Germany

One of them shows the Trinity Church in Wolfenbüttel. The Trinity Church was built between 1716 and 1757. It is one of the most important Baroque churches in Germany.

I bought this card when I recently visited Wolfenbüttel.

Stamp:
Lily of the Valley (issued 06-05-2010)
with a matching special postmark of the nuclear power awareness weeks

cover from Germany

On Wednesday I got not only two postcards but also a cover from Germany.

Stamp:

50 years Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe (from set of three) (issued 11-05-2017)

with First Day Special Postmark

The Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe was founded in May 1967. The charity's purpose is the support and sponsorship for sportspersons in return for their participation in international contests. The patron is the President of Germany. Since 1968 special stamps are issued in support of the charity.

Germany: Wilhelmstein Fortress and Lake Steinhude

On Tuesday I got a postcard from Germany.

It shows the Wilhelmstein Fortress. The Wilhelmstein Fortress is located on an artificial island in Lake Steinhude. The island and the fortress were created in the 18th century as a fortification for the Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe. Today it is used as museum.

I sent this card to myself when I recently visited the Lake Steinhude.

Stamp:
Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 07-07-2016)

Lake Steinhude is the largest lake in northwestern Germany. The lake is an important resting place for migratory birds. It is the heart of the Lake Steinhude Nature Park and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It is also a popular tourist destination.

France: Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer

On Monday I got two postcards from France.

One of them shows the Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer. The Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer was built in the 13th century. Since 1988 it houses the Boulogne-sur-Mer Museum.

With a nice stamp:
EUROPA (issued 16-05-2017)
with a special postmark from the philatelic shop in Boulogne-sur-Mer

Thank You very much William!

France: Hôtel de Ville of Calais

On Monday I got two postcards from France.

One of them shows the Hôtel de Ville, the Town Hall, of Calais. The Hôtel de Ville was built between 1911 and 1925 in the Flemish Renaissance style. It is especially known for its clock tower, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the Belfries of Belgium and France.

Stamp:
Marianne 0,10€
90th FFAP Congress in Cholet (issued 16-05-2017)
with a special postmark from the philatelic shop in Calais

Thank You very much William!

My Trip to Wiedensahl on International Museum Day

On Sunday was International Museum Day and I visited Wiedensahl. 

Wiedensahl is a Flecken in the district of Schaumburg in Lower Saxony. It is a part of the German Fairy Tale Route.

In 1832 Wilhelm Busch was born in Wiedensahl. His birth house is now home to a museum about the life of Wilhelm Busch and the years he spent in Wiedensahl.

On Sunday a new special exhibition was opened. It is centred on Wilhelm Busch's character Hans Huckebein, whose story was first published 150 years ago, and the new illustrations made by Jonas Lauströer. For the International Museum Day a special postmark and old Hans Huckebein stamps (issued 14-06-2007) were available and also the artist himself was present. Luckily I got his signature on a postcard showing one of his illustrations and also got it cancelled with the special postmark.

Between 1872 and 1978 Wilhelm Busch lived in the old parish house. Today it houses a museum about Wiedensahl's history with more 1500 exhibits. In 1913 a Wilhelm Busch Memorial was placed in front of the house.

Thailand: Bridge over the River Kwai

On Saturday I got two postcards: one from Thailand and one from China.

The card from Thailand shows the Bridge over the River Kwai. The Bridge over the River Kwai was built between 1943 and 1944 as part of the Death Railway. It became famous by Pierre Boulle's novel Le Pont de la Rivière Kwai and its British-American film version.

On the backside are various postmarks of the Asian International Stamp Exhibition.
Stamps:
King Bhumibol (from set of fourteen) (issued 10-10-2010)
Visak Day (from set of four) (issued 03-05-2017)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Cherry!

China: Lijiang River

On Saturday I got two postcards: one from China and one from Thailand.

The card from China shows the Lijiang River in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Lijiang River is known for flowing through karst mountains. It is a popular tourist attraction.

With nice stamps:
Journey to the West (whole set) (issued 30-03-2017)

Thank You very much Mo!

Spain: Ferreres Aqueduct near Tarragona

On Friday I got three postcards from Spain.

One of them shows the Ferreres Aqueduct near Tarragona. Tarragona, back then known as Tárraco, was a major administrative and mercantile city in Roman Spain. The Ferreres Aqueduct was built during the reign of Augustus to supply Tárraco with water. It is the largest aqueduct in Catalonia. Since 2000 is the Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamps:
Definitive (from set of five) (issued 19-01-2015)
Definitive (from set of six) (issued 02-01-2016)
Stamp Design Contest (whole set) (issued 01-02-2017)

Thank You very much Mario!

Spain: La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia

On Friday I got three postcards from Spain.

One of them shows the Sala de Contratación at La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia. La Lonja de la Seda was built between 1482 and 1533, when Valencia was a major Mediterranean mercantile city. It was originally used for trading in silk and is one of the most important Gothic buildings in Europe. La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia is since 1996 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamps:
Definitive (from set of six) (issued 02-01-2016)
Definitive (from set of five) (issued 19-01-2015)
Stamp Design Contest (whole set) (issued 01-02-2017)

Thank You very much Mario!

Spain: Alcalá de Henares Cathedral

On Friday I got three postcards from Spain.

One of them shows the Alcalá de Henares Cathedral. Alcalá de Henares is a historic city near Madrid. One of the oldest Spanish bishoprics is located in the city and Cervantes was baptized there. The city is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. It was the original model for ideal urban community which Spanish missionaries brought to the Americas. Since 1998 are the University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamps:
Definitive (from set of five) (issued 19-01-2015)
Definitive (from set of six) (issued 02-01-2016)
Stamp Design Contest (whole set) (issued 01-02-2017)

Thank You very much Mario!

cover from Portugal

On Friday I got not only three postcards but also a cover from Portugal.

Stamp:

António Guterres (issued 04-01-2017)

António Guterres was born in 1949 in Lisbon. He is a Portuguese politician and diplomat. Between 1995 and 2002 he was Prime Minister of Portugal and between 2005 and 2015 he was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Since January 2017 is Guterres the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Thank You very much Paula!

Belgium: European Quarter of Brussels

On Thursday I got a postcard from Belgium.

It shows the European Parliament in Brussels' European Quarter. Brussels has a long history of hosting the institutions of the EU and is considered to be its capital. 

Stamp:
New NATO Headquarters (issued 22-11-2016)
with a special postmark from Brussels

Thank You very much William!

cover from Germany

On Thursday I got not only a postcard but also a cover from Germany.

Stamp:

500 years Reformation (issued 13-04-2017)

It is a joint issue with Brazil.

with a special postmark showing the Veste Coburg

The Veste Coburg is a castle in Coburg. It is one of the largest castles in Germany and was never conquered. In 1530 Martin Luther lived in the castle for a few months. 

Estonia: Kadriorg Palace

On Tuesday I got a postcard from Estonia.

It shows Kadriorg Palace. Kadriorg Palace was built in the Baroque style between 1718 and 1725. It was commissioned by Peter the Great after the Great Northern War. Today the palace houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, which shows the collection of foreign art of the Art Museum of Estonia.

Stamps:
EUROPA (whole set) (issued 08-05-2017)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Jaan!

Eurovision Cover from Ukraine

On Tuesday I got not only a postcard but also two covers including a great Eurovision themed cover from Ukraine.

Stamp:

Definitive (issued 09-10-2006)

Inside was a written and stamped card.

With a great stamp:
Jamala (issued 05-05-2017)
with First Day Special Postmark
Jamala, Susana Alimivna Jamaladinova, is a Ukrainian singer with Crimean Tatar ancestors. In 2016 she won the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with her song 1944. 

Thank You very much Olga!