3rd August 2023: Triple Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia

The Triple Bridge comprises three bridges spanning the Ljubljanica River in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It connects the historical medieval town with the central Prešeren Square. Dating back to the 13th century, it stands as the oldest bridge in Ljubljana. In the early 1930s the architect Jože Plečnik redesigned and expanded it. As one of the Works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana, described as Human Centred Urban Design, is the Triple Bridge since 2021 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much William!

Haus Bürgel in Monheim am Rhein, Germany

Haus Bürgel is a medieval manor built on the remains of a Roman castell. Since 2003 it is home to an archaeological museum. The still visible Roman remains are as part of the Lower Germanic Limes since 2021 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much Marcel!

22nd June 2023: Heidentor in Carnuntum, Austria

Carnuntum was a Roman fortress on the Danube Limes in modern day Lower Austria. It later became a big city and the capital of the Pannonia Superior province. Today it is among the most important Roman archaeological sites in Europa. It got the European Heritage Label in 2013 and in 2021 was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Danubian Limes. Shown on the card is the Heidentor, a late antique triumphal arch.

Thank You very much Anita!

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!

2nd June 2023: Hildesheim Cathedral, Germany

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: Syracuse, Italy

Syracuse is a historic city on Sicily. The city is notable for its rich Greek and Roman history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace and home of the pre-eminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean World. The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans and became a very powerful city-state. Described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", it equaled Athens in size during the fifth century BC. It later became part of the Roman Republic and the Byzantine Empire. Under Emperor Constans II, it served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire (663–669). Palermo later overtook it in importance, as the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily. Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica are since 2005 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much William!

16th May 2023: Cefalù, Italy

Cefalù is a commune on Sicily. It is a popular tourist attraction. Since 2015 is the Cathedral of Cefalù together with the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral of Monreale on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much William!

11th May 2023: Cover from Austria

Thank You very much Anita!

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!

31st March 2023: History of Aachen, Germany

Thank You very much Marcel!

9th February 2023: Thousand-year Rose at the Hildesheim Cathedral, Germany

The postmark shows Emperor Louis the Pious, the son of Charlemagne who established the Diocese of Hildesheim in 815.

4th February 2023: Organ of the Hildesheim Cathedral, Germany

14th January 2023: Russian Church in Bad Ems, Germany

The Russian Church of Bad Ems was consecrated in 1876, when the Russian Emperor Alexander II was a frequent guest in Bad Ems. In the same year he signed the Ems Ukaz in the town, which banned the use of the Ukrainian language in print except for reprinting old documents. As one of the Great Spa Towns of Europa is Bad Ems since 2021 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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: 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!

10th November 2022: Verona, Italy

Thank You very much William!

9th November 2022: Verona, Italy

Thank You very much William!

5th November 2022: New York City, USA

The card was sent by my father during a trip to the city and he also bought some more cards for me.