Inside The Mysore Palace, India

Checking my FB just minutes ago I came across a similar picture and thought - hey, I have a postcard from there! And jumped over here immediately to post it :) Many thanks to Prashanth for the swap.

Ambavilas Palace, otherwise known as the Mysore Palace, is a historical palace and a royal residence at Mysore in the southern Karnataka state of India. It is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The last palace, now known as the Old Palace or the Wooden Palace, was burnt into ashes during the 1896 Dasara festivities. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV commissioned the British architect Lord Henry Irwin to build a new palace. The initial part was completed in 1912, and it was expanded in 1940.

The architectural style of domes of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic, with blends of the Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic styles. It is a three-story stone structure with marble domes, and has a 145-foot five-story tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden. 

UNESCO - Summer Palace, An Imperial Garden In Beijing, China

 

The Summer Palace in Beijing – first built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 – is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.

Thanks to Kun and Yuen :)

 

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.

UNESCO - Würzburg Residence, Germany

This magnificent Baroque palace was created under the patronage of the prince-bishops Lothar Franz and Friedrich Carl von Schönborn. It was built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects, painters (including Tiepolo), sculptors and stucco-workers, led by Balthasar Neumann.

Danke Ingrid :)

UNESCO - Hué Monuments, Vietnam

Huế is the capital city of Thừa Thiên–Huế Province, Vietnam - between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyễn Dynasty and well known for its historic monuments from that period.

These is the Citadel gate leading to the Royal Palace or a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death. Today, little of the forbidden city remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction.

Many thanks to Andrew and Elizabeth and their entertaining story complementing the picture :)
Edit: accidentally some time later I discovered that the stamp is also Unesco - from the  Intangible Cultural Heritage List, showing Ca trù (song with clappers), an ancient genre of chamber music featuring female vocalists, with origins in northern Vietnam.^[1] For much of its history, it was associated with a geisha-like form of entertainment, which combined entertaining wealthy people as well as performing religious songs for the royal court.

 

UNESCO - Changdeokgung Palace Complex, South Korea

Built in The 15th century, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. It occupies a 57.9 ha site in Jongno-gu, in northern Seoul at the foot of Ungbong Peak of Mount Baegaksan - here you can see only a fraction of it (the Nakseonjae complex, built in 1847 as a library and living quarters for King Heonjong), but it gives you an idea just how beautiful this place must be..!

Many thanks to Harleen Park, and the most wonderful stamps! :))

 

UNESCO - Royal Domain Of Drottningholm, Sweden

 

The Royal Domain of Drottningholm stands on an island in Lake Mälar in a suburb of Stockholm. With its castle, perfectly preserved theatre (built in 1766), Chinese pavilion and gardens, it is the finest example of an 18th-century north European royal residence inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

Views of the palace from the fron and east side. It is today the private residence of the Swedish royal family.

Another great swap with Katja (who used some of the more interesting Swedish stamps that I've seen), thanks :))

The Ancient Palaces Of Seoul, South Korea

 

Last autumn I have done a revision of my blog and checked whichever countries I didnt include yet - and for some reason I have skipped South Korea. I have a few postcards from there (which also goes by the name Republic Of Korea), and this one represents the ancient palaces of Seoul. Really happy with this great view and brilliant stamps, thank you Junko :)

UNESCO - Historic City Of Vienna, Austria

I thought I could add some of the classic European cities to my blog today. As it happens, many are also on the UNESCO whs list. No wonder when you think of Vienna and all its historical splendour - this postcard shows the Hofburg Palace, which currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria but was the Habsburgs' principal winter residence. This was a nice surprise from my friend Ana (one of many dear Anas in my life!), and I really like the stamps and cancellation too xD

New Palace, Potsdam, Germany

If you ever by a strange chance need a reason to go to Berlin, look no further. Sanssouci Palace and Royal Park look so stunning on the photos, i can imagine a day wouldn't be enough to absorb its grandness and beauty. The New Palace on this postcard, built under Frederic the Great in the 18th century, is considered to be the last great Prussian baroque palace. I will only mention there are 322 windows adorning this palace!

Great addition to my Unesco collection, thank you Anke :)

Oh and I must admit that I dislike the German cancellations having no city names...but there are often pretty postmarks to make up for it :)

UNESCO - Historic Ensemble Of The Potala Palace, Lhasa

Four different views of Potala Palace, courtesy of Ashley Travelling Corp. :)

Potala Palace, situated in Lhasa the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 during the Tibetan Uprising. The Palace is thirteen stories high, containing over 1000 rooms and 10000 shrines. A dream for any traveller I am sure :)