Germany: Synagogues in Dresden and Essen

On 18th February I got four postcards from Germany.

One of them shows the New Synagogue in Dresden. The New Synagogue in Dresden was built between 1998 and 2001 on the location of the former Semper Synagogue, which was destroyed in 1938. It was the first newly built synagogue in East Germany. Due to construction defects the building is leaking.

This year we celebrate 1700 years of Jewish Life in Germany. This related stamp was issued on 4th February. While the stamp itself is rather plain, I really like this postmark highlighting great Jewish contributions to German culture. 

The card above I had ordered on the Internet for the stamp, but I was also able to swap for a second card of a synagogue. That one returned on the same day and shows the Old Synagogue in Essen. The Old Synagogue of Essen was built between 1911 and 1913. It is one of the largest, best preserved and architecturally most impressive testimonies to Jewish culture in pre-war Germany. Today it is used as cultural meeting place and museum.

I used the same stamp on the card and got it cancelled with the second official First Day Special Postmark. 

Thank You very much Marcel for helping me with the second card!