UNESCO - Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, Saint Kitts And Nevis

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a remarkable example of European military engineering dating from the 17th and 18th centuries in a Caribbean context. Located on the Island of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) the country’s largest island, the fortress was built to African slave labour to the exacting standards of the British military to protect the coastline from a sea attack and to provide a safe refuge for the island’s citizens.

I was really lucky on this cruise with the tours, to see three WHS sites. My theory is, all those youngsters working on board weren't really in the race for cultural stuff,  having all those beaches around. Visit to this site was nice and easy, among other things I'll remember asking some Canadians from another ship if they'd like a photo lol, didn't dare asking anyone else after that. This tour also encompassed a visit to the 17th-century Romney Manor, home of Caribelle Batik, which has acquired an international reputation for fine batik products made of quality fabrics. There was a display of the manufacturing process, and of course a lovely colourful shop with somewhat out-of-reach prices. I also remember there being a fascinating 400-y-o Saman tree. Here is one photo of the drying batik fabrics:

Rock Of Cashel, Ireland

According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil's Bit, a mountain 30 km north of Cashel,  when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock's landing in Cashel. It is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century. (Gotta love all those legends with the devil ;))

The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. In the grounds around the buildings is an extensive graveyard including a number of high crosses.

Beautiful, thank you Delyana!
(I think I must have swapped for this card around Halloween ;))
 

Otočec Castle, Slovenia

Otočec Castle is situated on a small island in the middle of the Krka River in Slovenia, first mentioned in documents in the 13th century. The islet is linked to both banks of the river by bridges and the castle has now been converted into a small hotel. Its a popular venue for weddings and a music festival. I can imagine!

Thank you Kristijan :)

Benkovac, Croatia

This postcard was sent on the 7th of April, the day I passed my driving exam...I spent three months driving in Benkovac, a small town in Dalmatia's interior which I never have visited before in my life. Now I know every street, and yes every traffic sign...Oh but I haven't gone up to the fortress, now I realise! Just didn't have the time with the given schedule.

The town is quite old, even before the Roman conquest the area was inhabited, by the Illyrian tribe of Liburnians. In 1409 King Ladislaus of Naples sold his rights of Dalmatia to the Republic of Venice and the Benkovac area became a border region. New fortresses around the border were built - Korlat, Kličevica, Polača, and behind them Benković i Perušić - this postcard is showing Benković, which the name may suggest :) These days the town is known for its monthly agricultural fair.

UNESCO - Agra Fort, India

Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. Thank you Sanjay for this impressive view. I am esp happy to get Unesco from India that is not from the official series.

Kachaghakaberd Fortress, Nagorno-Karabakh

Though it looks like a mere mountain top, it is indeed the Kachaghakaberd fortress in the Martakert Province of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic within Azerbaijan, where it lies in the Tartar Rayon.

Many thanks to Mirka for sending me a new territory postcard from her trip :))

 

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

Hohenzollern Castle is the ancestral seat of the imperial House of Hohenzollern.The third of three castles on the site, it is located atop Berg Hohenzollern, a 234 m bluff rising above the towns of Hechingen and Bisingen in the foothills of the Swabian Alps of central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The first fortress on the mountain was constructed in the early 11th century. 

Germany is so wonderfully abundant with castles, and yet I have seen only a few so far. On the stamp is another one, Marksburg, one of the principal sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge. Danke sehr Diana ;)

Martello Tower, Barbuda

Martello towers are small defensive forts that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the French Revolutionary Wars onwards. They stand up to 12m high (with two floors) and typically had a garrison of one officer and 15–25 men. Their round structure and thick walls of solid masonry made them resistant to cannon fire, while their height made them an ideal platform for a single heavy artillery piece, mounted on the flat roof and able to traverse, and hence fire over, a complete 360° circle.

My friend was in Antigua a number of times but it is only last year that he managed to also visit Barbuda - which is situated north of Antigua and has a population of about 1638. He managed to find one single view card - literally! how lucky for me :)) 

Chateaus Of France

Le Château de Chastellux and Château de Tanlay are medieval castles situated in Burgundy. There is more information about the latter, which  is entirely encircled by its rectilinear moat and approached on axis across a bridge marked by paired obelisks through a gatehouse built in 1558. The perfect symmetry of the cour d'honneur is part of Tanlay's serene charm.

Both thanks go to Tamayre :)

UNESCO - Cultural Landscape Of Sintra, Portugal

In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture - the cultural landscape of the Serra and the town represents a pioneering approach to Romantic landscaping that had an outstanding influence on developments elsewhere in Europe. It is a unique example of the cultural occupation of a specific location that has maintained its essential integrity as the representation of diverse successive cultures.

I wish I had more time to explore this area, that is why I am almost certain I will go back to do a proper tour. It was a murky day and I have visited the town and the Moorish Castle, even though the Pena Palace is far more recognisable. I've enjoyed the kind of a fairytale setting and atmosphere :) The second postcard is made of cork and shows the Regalaleria Palace. Alas both cards weren't cancelled...something the Portuguese Mail seems to struggle with.

The Lukovka Izborsk Fortress, Russia

An official postcard received 'lately' that I appreciated for the subject and stamps used, showing a 14th-century fortress in Pskov Oblast in European part of Russia.

 

UNESCO - Bahla Fort, Oman

The ruins of the immense fort, with its walls and towers of unbaked brick and its stone foundations, attests to the power of the Banu Nebhan (12-15th cent.) Bahla is an outstanding example of a fortified oasis settlement of the medieval Islamic period, exhibiting the water engineering skill of the early inhabitants for agricultural and domestic purposes.

First postcard from Oman and a Unesco site, you can imagine my satisfaction :) thank you Cresalde!

 

Fortaleza Del Cerro, Uruguay

Also known as Fortaleza General Artigas, it is a fortress situated in Montevideo overlooking its bay.  It was completed in 1839 and was the last Spanish fort built in Uruguay - its been housing a military museum since 1916 and has become a National Monument in 1931.

My second card from Uruguay, this time with Year of the Horse stamps, gracias Veronica :)

 

Matsumoto Castle, Japan

Also known as the 'Crow Castle' due to its black exterior, Matsumoto-jō is situated in the Nagano Prefecture, and was the seat of the Matsumoto domain of the Edo period (from the 16th century). In 1872 it was sold at auction for redevelopment but the residents from Matsumoto started a campaign to save the building. It underwent "the great Meiji renovation" between 1903-1913.

What a lovely setting! Thank you usapon ;)

 

Bled Castle, Slovenia

I visited the Bled Lake early this month but didn't send any postcards...as I have quite a few in my collection already, also this one is the shape of a postal stamp which I've posted the 1st time around, in 2007. As it happens we accidentaly witnessed a wedding, and I can totally understand that someone would choose such a picturesque place for such an occasion :)

This time we've tried the traditional slovenian cream cake, really delicious!! There was a cheesecake too ;)

UNESCO - Mont-Saint-Michel And Its Bay, France

(I have been wanting a Mont St. Michel card for a loooong time - its a picture-perfect island with fortifications and a monastery in Normandy, where tidal waves ensure drastic scenery. I would love to have more different views on postcards :))

And I have in the meantime received that different view, an aerial close-up which makes the blue roofs and steep sides so much more visible. Thank you both Ulla and Deborah!

UNESCO - Old And New Towns Of Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Once I posted about beautiful Edinburgh but since then I've received more postcards so an update is required :) I better not tell you how long it took me to identify the buildings on this picture...I thought the Bank Of Scotland in the front is New Town, but oh so confusing when a bank has a dozen addresses..! The Old town is of course represented by the Edinburgh Castle, and the gothic spire on the left doesnt belong to a church as I readily presumed, but to The Hub which is home to Edinburgh International Festival. I was happy to find a matching stamp in the local PO, which is quite a feat on the British soil :)) The cancellation is kind of funny cos it appears to be only a circle..!

This view of Edinburgh Castle by the fool moon was sent to me by Polina/Poncha for the vacation RR :)
After closer inspection I found out that in fact this postcard includes the New Town - the Clock Tower belongs to the luxury Balmoral Hotel which is situated at its very southern edge. Still, would be nice to get a postcard vith a more substantial view of the New Town :)

 

Another great view, this time a surprise card from Sara - and awesome stamp! Danke vielmals ;)
Although I've been to Edinburgh some years ago i get a bit envious when I hear of people travelling there heh. I have been in love with the British Isles for as long as i can remember, and Edinburgh was everything i imagined and wished for esp as we arrived during the famous Fringe Festival - the streets were so busy, colourful and alive!

At the camping site we got free tickets for a comedy act by the Irish comedian Paddy Lennox, which was a new experience for me :) and the streets were full of exciting young performers, just so much fun! I hope to return to Scotland one day, as I still need to go further north to spot Nessie :)

UNESCO - Castles And Town Walls Of King Edward In Gwynedd, Wales

 

 

These extremely well-preserved monuments are examples of colonization and defense works carried out throughout the reign of Edward I - the four castles of Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech, as well as Conwy and Caernarfon fortified towns from the late 13th and early 14th century.

Caernarfon Castle and the town served as the administrative centre of North Wales, while the Harlech Castle was built near the Irish Sea during Edward's invasion of Wales. I also have a postcard of Conwy, and ah yes my scattered brain was sure I have blogged about it but is nowhere to be found...so it will be added at some later point :) Conwy and Harlech were sent to me by Anu, already a regular here on my blog ;) I have visited Caernarfon some years ago and loved it! Here I can add a few of my photos...