17th October 2022: Postcrossing and Flying Squirrel from Estonia

Estonia: Põltsamaa Museum

On 20th February I got three postcards: one from Estonia, one from Germany and one from Belarus.

The card from Estonia shows Põltsamaa Museum. Põltsamaa Museum is located in Põltsamaa Castle, which dates back to a defensive crusader castle of the Livonian Order from the late 13th century. Over the course of the centuries the castle often changed hands. For example it was the official residence of Magnus of Holstein, the titular King of Livonia between 1570 and 1578.

The Estonian Year of the Ox stamp (issued 12-02-2021) was used on the card.

Thank You very much Carmen!

Estonia: House in a Mushroom

On Tuesday I got five postcards: one from Estonia, three from Germany and one from Italy.

The card from Estonia shows a house in a mushroom.

Stamp:
Year of the Rat (issued 25-01-2020)

Thank You very much Polina!

Estonia: Fat Margaret Tower in Tallinn

Last Saturday I got two postcards: one from Estonia and one from Spain.

The card from Estonia shows the Fat Margaret Tower in Tallinn. The Fat Margaret Tower is a part of Tallinn's medieval city fortification. Today it houses the Estonian Martime Museum.

With a nice matching stamp:
My Gift to Estonia - Children’s Drawing Competition (from set of three) (issued 01-09-2018)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Tallinn

On 27th August I got two postcards: one from Estonia and one from Germany.

The card from Estonia shows Tallinn.

Stamps:
Posthorn (from set of three) (issued 18-01-2017)
Brown Roll-Rim (issued 21-09-2017)
False Morel (issued 23-08-2018)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Old Map

Last Friday I got two postcards: one from Estonia and one from Croatia.

The card from Estonia shows an old map of the country.

With a nice stamp:
Posthorn (from set of three) (issued 18-01-2017)
Manilaiu Lighthouse (issued 07-06-2018)
with a special postmark of the EstEx Stamp Exhibition
100 years Estonian Stamps (issued 13-07-2018)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Arched Bridge in Tartu

On Friday I got two postcards: one from Estonia and one from Taiwan.

The card from Estonia shows the Arched Bridge in Tartu. The Arched Bridge is an reinforced concrete bridge with a single arch that is used by pedestrians to cross the Emajõgi River. It was built between 1957 and 1959 at the former spot of the Tartu Stone Bridge, a great example of classicist stone architecture of the 18th century, whose one end was destroyed by retreating Soviet forces in 1941 and which was then completely destroyed by retreating German forces in 1944. The new bridge reuses the foundation of the river bank pillars of the old bridge. 

With nice matching stamps:
EUROPA (whole set) (issued 03-05-2018)
with First Day Special Postmark
The stamps show the old and the new bridge.

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Hotel Viru in Tallinn

On Monday I got a postcard from Estonia.

It shows the Hotel Viru in Tallinn. The Hotel Viru was opened in 1972 when Estonia was a part of the Soviet Union. It was the first skyscraper in Tallinn and until 1980 the only hotel in the city with international standard. As the hotel was mainly used by guests from non-socialist countries, the KGB installed listening devices. Famous guests include Neil Armstrong and Elizabeth Taylor.

Stamps:
Centenary of the Estonian Ballett (issued 29-04-2018)
Centenary of Estonian Scouting (issued 07-11-2012)
Posthorn (from set of three) (issued 18-01-2017)
Posthorn (from set of three) (issued 19-05-2016)
with a special postmark about this year's EUROPA stamps

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Freedom Square in Tallinn

Last Wednesday I got three postcards: one from Estonia, one from Russia and one from France.

The card from Estonia shows the Freedom Square in Tallinn. The Freedom Square is a public square which is dedicated to Estonia's independence. Its current form was laid out in 2009, but the most buildings are already older. The square is an important traffic hub and military parades and various concerts take place there.

With a nice stamp:
Year of the Dog (issued 16-02-2018)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Estonian Maritime Museum

On Thursday I got a postcard from Estonia.

It shows the Estonian Maritime Museum. The Estonian Maritime Museum was opened in 1935 and focuses on the history of ships and navigation in Estonia. It is housed in the Fat Margaret tower of Tallinn's medieval city fortification. 

Stamp:
EUROPA (from set of two) (issued 08-05-2017)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Estonia: Estonian Maritime Museum

On Thursday I got a postcard from Estonia.

It shows three sights of Tallinn including the Estonian Maritime Museum (lower picture). The Estonian Maritime Museum was opened in 1935 and focuses on the history of ships and navigation in Estonia. It is housed in the Fat Margaret tower of Tallinn's medieval city fortification. 

With a nice stamp:
Eurasian Lynx (issued 11-09-2017)
with First Day Special Postmark
Orjaku Leading Light Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 08-09-2017)
Posthorn (from set of three) (issued 18-01-2017)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Tallinn

On Saturday I got three postcards: one from Estonia, one from New Zealand and one from Vietnam.

The card from Estonia shows the Old Town of Tallinn. Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Between the 14th and the 16th century it was a major trade hub, when it was a member of the Hanseatic League. In recent years Tallinn has developed into one of the most digital cities in the World. It is the home to the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the birthplace of many international companies including Skype. Since 1997 is the Old Town of Tallinn on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2011 it was the European Capital of Culture.

The card was signed during the Postcrossing Meet-up in Tallinn.
Stamps:
Definitive (from set of three) (issued 10-01-2013)
500 years Reformation (issued 27-05-2017)
Definitive (from set of three) (issued 18-01-2017)

Thank You very much Jaan!

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!

Estonia: Tallinn

On Friday I got four postcards: one from Estonia, one from Germany, one from Portugal and one from Thailand.

The card from Estonia shows various views of Tallinn.

Stamp:
Year of the Rooster (issued 28-01-2017)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Otepää

On Saturday I got four postcards: two from Estonia, my first card from the Dominican Republic and one from Germany.

One of the cards from Estonia shows Otepää. Otepää is the administrative centre of the Otepää Parish. It was first mentioned in 1116 and got the city rights in 1936. It is a popular skiing resort, popularly known as the "winter capital" of Estonia. In 1884 the flag of the Estonian Student Union was consecrated in the Otepää Church (right picture), which later became the national flag of Estonia. The church is now home to a Flag Museum. 

Stamp:
Year of the Monkey (issued 08-02-2016)
with a special postmark about the 900th anniversary of Otepää's first mentioning

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Tallinn

On Saturday I got four postcards: two from Estonia, my first card from the Dominican Republic and one from Germany.

One of the cards from Estonia shows various views of Tallinn.

With nice stamps:
Fly Agaric (issued 08-09-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark
Northern Birch Mouse (issued 25-08-2016)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: University of Tartu

On Tuesday I got three postcards: one from Estonia, one from Turkey and one from Germany.

The card from Estonia shows the main building of Tartu's University. The University of Tartu was founded in 1632 and thus it is Estonia's oldest university. It is also the national university of Estonia and only full-scale university in the country.

Stamp:
EUROPA (from set of two) (issued 06-05-2015)
The stamp shows a Vigri toy produced by Polümeer. Vigri was the mascot of Olympic sailing competitions held in Tallinn in 1980, when it was the capital of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Thank You very much Marju!

Estonia: Patkuli Viewing Platform

Yesterday I got six postcards: one from Estonia, two from the USA, one from Germany and two from Austria.

The card from Estonia shows the Patkuli Viewing Platform in Tallinn. The Patkuli Viewing Platform offers an impressive view on Tallinn's Old Town.

The card was sent from the First Estonian Postcrossing Meet-up held in Tallinn.
Stamps:
Protection of Polar Areas and Glaciers (whole set) (issued 15-01-2009)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Town Hall of Tallinn

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Estonia and two from Germany.

The card from Estonia shows the Town Hall in Tallinn's Old Town. The Town Hall was completed in 1404. It is the oldest town hall in the Baltic Region and the only remaining one in Northern Europe built in the Gothic style. It housed Tallinn's city administration until 1970. 

Stamps:
Definitives (whole set) (issued 19-05-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark
Definitive (issued 16-10-2015)
150th birthday of Ants Laikmaa (issued 05-05-2016)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Estonia: Tallinn

Yesterday I got eight postcards including one from Estonia.

The card from Estonia shows Tallinn's old town.

Stamps:
EUROPA (whole set) (issued 09-05-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Jaan!