Rijeka, Croatia

Rijeka is a port town and the third largest city in Croatia. In 2020 it was the European Capital of Culturetogether with Galway in Ireland. After World War I the city, back the known as Fiume, was an independent city state for some years.

Thank You very much William!

8th July 2023: Gallipoli, Turkey

The Gallipoli is a peninsula at the entrance of the Dardanelles Strait. The Battle of Gallipoli of World War I was fought by British and French forces from April 1915 onwards. They tried to open the Dardanelles strait to the Allied fleets to get access to the Ottoman capital Constantinople, today's Istanbul. The campaign ended in January 1916 with an Ottoman victory.

Thank You very much Marcel!

29th June 2023: La Rochelle, France

La Rochelle is a city on the west coast of France and a seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department. In the 16th century La Rochelle adopted Protestant ideas and soon became a centre of the Huguenots. Due to this La Rochelle was besieged for 14 months by Cardinal Richelieu in 1627/28 after which the Huguenots lost most of their privileges. The siege forms much of the backdrop to the later chapters of Alexandre Dumas' novel The Three Musketeers.

Thank You very much William!

10th June 2023: Swakopmund, Namibia

Swakopmund is a city on the coast of western Namibia. The city is situated at the edge of the Namib Desert and is the fourth largest population centre in Namibia. Swakopmund is a popular beach resort and characterized by 19th century German colonial architecture. The city was founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa.

Thank You very much Marcel!

8th June 2023: Twyfelfontein, Namibia

Twyfelfontein, officially known as ǀUi-ǁAis, is a site of ancient rock engravings in the Kunene Region of north-western Namibia. It consists of a spring in a valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain that receives very little rainfall and has a wide range of diurnal temperatures. The site has been inhabited for 6,000 years, first by hunter-gatherers and later by Khoikhoi herders. Both ethnic groups used it as a place of worship and a site to conduct shamanist rituals. In the process of these rituals at least 2,500 items of rock carvings have been created, as well as a few rock paintings. Displaying one of the largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in Africa. Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes is since 2007 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Thank You very much Marcel!

8th June 2023: Namib Sand Sea, Namibia (my first postcard!)

Namibia is a country in Southern Africa bordering on Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. It is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the most sparsely populated countries in the World. In 1884 the German Empire established rule over most of the territory forming a colony known as German South West Africa. Between 1904 and 1908 German troops waged a punitive campaign against the Herero and Nama which escalated into the first genocide of the 20th century. In 1920 after the end of World War I and the German rule, the League of Nations mandated administration of the colony to South Africa. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990 and is nowadays a member state of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Windhoek is the country's capital and largest city.

Namib Sand Sea is the only coastal desert in the World that includes extensive dune fields influenced by fog. It features gravel plains, coastal flats, rocky hills, inselbergs within the sand sea, a coastal lagoon and ephemeral rivers resulting in a landscape of exceptional beauty. Fog is the primary source of water in the site accounting for a unique environment in which  endemic invertebrates, reptiles and mammals adapt to an ever-changing variety of microhabitats and ecological niches. Namib Sand Sea is since 2013 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much Marcel!

19th May 2023: Odesa, Ukraine

Odesa is the third largest city in Ukraine and a major seaport and transport hub located on the Black Sea. In 1794 a decree of the Russian empress Catherine II was issued to establish a navy harbor and trading place in Odesa. During the 19th century, Odesa was the fourth largest city of the Russian Empire, after Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Warsaw. Its historical architecture is more Mediterranean than Russian, having been heavily influenced by French and Italian styles. Some buildings are built in a mixture of different styles, including Art Nouveau, Renaissance and Classicist. Since 2023 is the Historic Centre of Odesa on the UNESCO World Heritage List and it was immediately added to the List of World Heritage in Danger. The declaration was made in response to the bombing of Odesa during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has damaged or destroyed buildings across the city.

A wonderful stamp was used on the card. It celebrates Kalush Orchestra, who have won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with their song Stefania. The stamp was issued on 10th April 2023.

Thank You very much Hanna!

16th May 2023: Ancient Theatre of Taormina, Italy

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is an ancient Greek theatre in Taormina on Sicily built in the third century BC.

Thank You very much William!

8th May 2023: Catania, Italy

Catania is the second largest city on Sicily. During the 14th century, and into the Renaissance period, Catania was one of Italy's most important cultural, artistic and political centres. It was the site of Sicily's first university, founded in 1434, and has been the native or adopted home of some of Italy's most famous artists and writers. In 1693 a powerful earthquake hit Sicily, destroying several towns and cities. In the aftermath Catania was among the towns rebuilt in line with the Baroque urban planning trends representing the pinnacle of late Baroque art in Europa. As one of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) is Catania since 2002 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Shown on the card is the Catania Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishops of Catania.

Thank You very much William!

3rd April 2023: Legislative Palace in Montevideo, Uruguay (my first postcard!)

Uruguay is a country in South America bordering on Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay won its independence between 1811 and 1828, following a four-way struggle between Portugal and Spain, and later Argentina and Brazil. It remained subject to foreign influence and intervention throughout the first half of the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, numerous pioneering economic, labor, and social reforms were implemented, which led to the creation of a highly developed welfare state. Despite some setbacks in the 20th century, Uruguay is described as a "full democracy" and is very highly ranked in international measurements of government transparency, economic freedom, social progress, income equality, per capita income, innovation, and infrastructure. It is a United Nations, OAS, and Mercosur founding member.

Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. It is the seat of the administrative headquarters of Mercosur and ALADI, Latin America's leading trade blocs, a position that entailed comparisons to the role of Brussels in Europe. The 2019 Mercer's report on quality of life, rated Montevideo first in Latin America, a rank the city has consistently held since 2005. The Legislative Palace was built between 1904 and 1925. It is the meeting place of the General Assembly of Uruguay and the seat of the legislative branch of the Uruguayan government.

While this s my first postcard from Uruguay, I had already got a cover from there in 2020. Surprisingly the same stamp about the Year of the Rat was used on both of them. 

Thank You very much Jorge for sending the card and Marcel for arranging it for me!

23rd March 2023: Casinò di Sanremo, Italy

Sanremo is a city on the Mediterranean coast near the French border. It is a popular tourist destination and many famous people already spent their holidays there. Since 1951 it hosts the Sanremo Music Festival, a very popular song contest and the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest. From 1951 until 1976, the Casinò di Sanremo (shown on the card) had been home of the Sanremo Music Festival.

A special postmark of the 73rd Sanremo Music Festival was used on the card.

Thank You very much William!

7th March 2023: Märchenbrunnen in Berlin, Germany

The Märchenbrunnen is a monumentail fountain in Berlin's Volkspark Friedrichshain. It includes statues of many famous fairy tales and was opened in 1913. Designed by Ludwig Hoffmann, it is considered to be among the most beautiful fountains in Germany's capital. 

9th February 2023: Grand Canal du Nord in Neuss, Germany

The Grand Canal du Nord was a planned canal project of Napoleon Bonaparte, which was supposed to connect the Maas and the Rhine. The construction began in 1809, but were stopped in 1811 when one third of the canal had already been built. The remains of the construction project like the Epanchoir in Neuss can still be seen today. 

Thank You very much Marcel!

28th November 2022: Melk Abbey, Austria

Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey and one of the most important buildings in the Baroque style. As part of the Wachau Cultural Landscape it is since 2000 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The stamp shows a Medieval manuscript from the library of Melk Abbey.

Thank You very much Anita!

19th November 2022: Map of Italy

Thank You very much Anita!

19th November 2022: Limes Watchtower in Neuss, Germany

The Castra Novaesium is one of the most important, oldest and best explored Roman military camps in the Rhineland. As part of the Lower Germanic Limes it is since 2021 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much Marcel!

26th October 2022: Villa Otrang and Trier Hauptbahnhof, Germany

As I could not find cards of these two sights during my trip to Trier, I later them online.

The Villa Otrang is a Roman villa rustica from the 1st century. It is one of the largest and best-preserved Roman villas north of the Alps. 

The other card shows the train station of Trier.

My Trip to Trier and Luxembourg

In October 2022 I spent a few days in Trier. Trier is considered to be the oldest city in Germany and is home to some magnificient Roman monuments. 

I was in Trier to visit a big special exhibition at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum about the End of the Roman Empire. The Rheinisches Landesmuseum is one of the largest archaeological museums in Germany and houses one of the best German collections of Roman antiquities. One of the hightlights of the museum's collection is the Neumagen Wine Ship. 

Another part of the special exhibition was shown at the Cathedral Museum. 

A third part was shown at the Town Museum in the Simeonstift. 

The Porta Nigra was built in 170 as city gate for the Roman city of Augusta Treverorum. Today it is still well-preserved and is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. In 2017 it was shown on a German 2€ coin. As one of the Roman Monuments in Trier it is since 1986 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Basilica of Constantine was built at the beginning of the 4th century as Roman palace basilica for Constantine the Great. It was damaged during World War II, but was later restored. As one of the Roman Monuments in Trier it is since 1986 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Trier Imperial Baths belong to the largest Roman baths north of the Alps. Since 1986 are the Imperial Baths together with other Roman Monuments, the Cathedral of St. Peter and with the Church of Our Lady on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Another big Roman monument in Trier are the Forum Baths. These were discovered in 1987 and are thus not included in the UNESCO site. 

The Trier Amphitheater was built in the 2nd century and back then it could accommodate around 20000 spectators. As one of the Roman Monuments in Trier it is since 1986 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The City Library houses some Medieval manuscripts. Some of them are even part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. 

Karl Marx is one of the most famous sons of Trier. The house in which he was born is now used as a museum. 

For the 200th birthday of Karl Marx in 2018 the People's Republic of China donated a huge monument to the city of Trier.

Some traffic lights in Trier even use a small image of Marx instead of the usual figures. 

The Electoral Palace in Trier was the residence of the Archbishops and Electors of Trier from the 16th century until the late 18th century.

The Trier Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral. It is the oldest cathedral in Germany and the largest religious structure in Trier, notable for its long life span and grand design. The central part of the nave was built of Roman brick in the early fourth century, resulting in a cathedral that was added onto gradually in different eras. The imposing Romanesque westwork, with four towers and an additional apse, has been copied repeatedly. In 1986 the church was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier.

The Liebfrauenkirche in Trier is the earliest church built in French High Gothic style outside France.

Saint Matthias' Abbey is a Benedictine monastery. The abbey church, a Romanesque basilica, is a renowned place of pilgrimage because of the tomb of Saint Matthias the Apostle, after whom the abbey is named, located here since the 12th century, and the only burial of an apostle in Germany and north of the Alps. The abbey was originally named after Saint Eucharius, first Bishop of Trier, whose tomb is in the crypt. The church has been given the status of a minor basilica.

These two cards show the Marketplace. 

This is the Turm Luxemburg on the Petrisberg.

The last card from Trier shows some Roman monuments in the region. 

As part of my trip I also spent a day in Luxembourg City, which is just a just ride by car or train away from Trier. This card shows the Central Station of Luxembourg City. 

The Monument of Remembrance, usually known by the nickname of the Gëlle Fra (Luxembourgish for 'Golden Lady'), is a war memorial in Luxembourg City. It is dedicated to the thousands of Luxembourgers who volunteered for service in the armed forces of the Allied Powers during both World Wars and the Korean War. It was erected in 1923. 

The Adolphe Bridge has become an unofficial national symbol of sorts, representing Luxembourg's independence, and has become one of Luxembourg City's main tourist attractions.

The casemates are a reminder of Luxembourg's past as important fortress city.  

Notre-Dame Cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Luxembourg City. It was originally a Jesuit church, and its cornerstone was laid in 1613. It is the only cathedral in Luxembourg. The church is a noteworthy example of late gothic architecture; however, it also has many Renaissance elements and adornments.

Kirchberg is a quarter in the north-eastern part of Luxembourg City and is the predominant location of the European Union institutions and bodies based within Luxembourg.

The Grand Ducal Palace is a palace in Luxembourg City. It is the official residence of the grand duke of Luxembourg, and where he performs most of his duties as head of state of the grand duchy.

The National Museum of History and Art, abbreviated to MNHA, is a museum located in Luxembourg City. It is dedicated to displaying artworks and artefacts from all epochs of Luxembourg history.

This card shows an exterior view of the museum in the upper right corner.

On this card you can see some more of Luxembourg City's many monuments. 

The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial is a Second World War American military war grave cemetery and was dedicated in 1960.

Vianden is a commune in north-eastern Luxembourg on the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany. It is known for the Vianden Castle.