UNESCO - City Of Cuzco, Peru

The City of Cuzco is a unique testimony of the ancient Inca civilization. Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with distinct religious and administrative functions. It was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spaniards conquered it in the 16th century, they preserved the basic structure but built Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins of the Inca city. 

This postcard shows the Cuzco's main square Plaza de Armas. It has been nine long years since I've visited this place...I believe I should have explored it more. At the time I wasn't sending many postcards from my travels (and in the meantime I went manic haha) but have Andres to thank for this card, plus an awesome set of stamps showing ancient jewellery :)

UNESCO - Place Stanislas, Nancy, France

This UNESCO site actually comprises three different squares, but I'll have to get there myself it seems, to be able to get all the postcards :D Here is the Hotel de Ville or the City Hall on Place Stanislas, a part of a carefully conceived project in the 18th century that succeeded in creating a capital that was both prestigious and functional. Thank you dear Sylvia for sending this card, but also for attaching these great stamps - which now I can present on Sunday Stamps :)

Today, for letter H - a Heart-shaped stamp, issued in 2000 for Valentine's Day. The French Post is not a stranger to issuing heart-shaped stamps, as are not many other national Posts (including Croatian), but this is one of the few ones I have received on a piece of mail. It is from a set of two dedicated to the great fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. I was wondering if he popularised the red lipstick? In my attempt to find out, I've learnt that it were possibly ancient Sumerian men and women who invented and wore lipstick first. Now that was about 5000 years ago!

I have actually struggled to find a stamp to present G last sunday, so I've skipped it. It seems I could have shown this cute stamp on the right as it is an image taken by the famous (baby) photographer Anne Geddes. It is from a set of two issued in 2004, this one is celebrating a birth of a baby girl, and there is one for a baby boy too. The same theme was issued in 2005 also. I have to say, exploring stamps for this blog has opened my eyes, the French Post prints some amazing issues, and they are plentiful! Its just that you never imagine it, mostly receiving the definitives on postcards.

Find more interesting H-stamps following this link.

Bhaktapur, Nepal

Bhaktapur is an ancient Newar city in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, about 8 miles (13 km) from the capital city, Kathmandu. It is one of the three cities with Durbar (Palace) square comprising the UNESCO site (other two being Kathmandu and Patan).

Bhaktapur was the largest of the three Newar kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley and was the capital of Nepal during the great 'Malla Kingdom' until the second half of the 15th century. It has the best-preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artworks. This is supported by the restoration and preservation efforts of German-funded Bhaktapur Development Project (BDP).

As I have already written about the Kathmandu Valley here I haven't titled the post as UNESCO, but it is still such a great addition to my collection! The card was signed by Daisy, who also used a stamp depicting the third important Durbar square in Patan. So brilliant, thank you :)

Piazza San Marco In Venice

I am starting work in a few weeks and I am trying to think of a short route to travel before then...One idea is Venice, so close and so popular and yet I haven't managed to go there yet! As inspiration, a view of the famous San Marco Square, sent by Ellis, grazie :)

Stockholm Old Town, Sweden

One of my favourite posties from Sweden is this view of Stockholm's Gamla stan (Old Town), it looks so quaint and pleasant..! It consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen which is relatively small; it dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the centre of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchants' houses. Looks lovely!

 

UNESCO - Bremen Town Hall, Germany

I have come back from my brief European tour to a pile(chen) of postcards and among them a surprise from a friend who was visiting Bremen on a weekend break :) The old town hall was built in the Gothic style in the early 15th century, after Bremen joined the Hanseatic league. It is part of Bremen Unesco - the other part being the Roland statue on the Marketplace. Nice to have this unsuspectingly :)

UNESCO - Paris, Banks of the Seine, France

This complex Unesco site comprises many beautiful spots in Paris. Perhaps we can claim freeily that the Eiffel Tower usurps the leading place in popularity and familiarity - I wasn't but on the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris on my way from Morocco (exactly on the day of a strike), still couldnt resist sending a few postcards esp as WOW I hadnt receive any of the Eiffel Tower by then!! The one with the Place de la Concorde was sent by a friend almost exactly 10 years prior to, and look, back then they had nice stamps and proper cancellations :))

UNESCO - Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakech was my 1st and last stop on my journey last winter - when I came there it was such an attack on my senses, it felt like too much! When I came back, it felt cosy and homely :) I got used to the culture and decided to enjoy its unique aspects.

It is also known as the "Ochre City", with a population of over a million inhabitants -  its the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history. Medina is a city section found in many North African cities which is typically walled, contains many narrow and maze-like streets, and traditional Berber market (souk). The first photo shows the renowned Jemaa el-Fnaa square, one of the busiest in whole of Africa and even the world.

UNESCO - Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow, Russia

One of the most famous Unesco/world sites surely,  Moscow's Red Square has been immortalised in many movies and documentaries. Lovely scene with Saint Basil's Cathedral and Spasskaya Tower reflections after a rainy day.

The Moscow Kremlin is one of four Russian kremlins on the Unesco list. The site has been continuously inhabited since the 2nd century BC - the existing Kremlin walls and towers were built by Italian masters over the years 1485 to 1495. The picture shows Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the tallest of the towers in the complex, with a total height of 81 metres.  It was built in 1508 for the Russian Orthodox cathedrals in Cathedral Square which do not have their own belfries. It is said to mark Moscow's precise geographic center.The tower adjoins the Assumption Belfry.

Hvala Nato za super razglednice s tvog putovanja sa nezaboravnim zapisima na forumu ;)

UNESCO - Piazza San Pietro in Rome, Italy

There is a whole series of postcards of Rome in black/white with accented yellowish hues, which i think is a great idea and i love this view! I have tagged for this card, thanks selphie :)

Tirana, Albania

Tiranë is the largest city and capital of Albania, founded under Ottomans in the 15th century. It became a capital in 1920 and counts 400 000 inhabitans.

This postcard shows the main plaza Skanderbeg Square, named after the Albanian national hero whose statue marks the centre of the square. I wasn't aware at the time that my friend is going to Albania so this card came as a complete surprise - first w/s from this unique country, and oh what a gorgeous stamp - thank you Mishek! xD

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Macao

My 2nd w&s postcard from Macao is a Unesco card, I am thrilled! The Historic Centre Of Macao comprises over twenty locations that witness the unique co-existance of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. Macau was a Portuguese Colony, and is both the 1st and last European colony in China.

This postcard shows the Senado Square (Senate Square), which is now a place for festivals, exhibitions and street performances; the historic centre's main road Avenida De Almeida Ribeiro passes through it.

Many thanks to Mono :)))

UNESCO - Old City Of Zamość , Poland

Today i feel like representing some really lovely late additions to my Unesco collection :)

Zamość is a renaissance town situated in the south-eastern region of Poland, close to the border with Ukraine. This card shows the magnificent Great Market Square which measures exactly 100 meters in both width and length, and is surrounded with the Town Hall and and a complex of medieval residential buildings (kamienice) that were built by the wealthy merchants.

I hope to visit this 'Pearl Of Renaissance' one day. I love it how collecting unesco cards broadens my views and teaches me things! Thank you Agata/moonlitka for the swap :)