UNESCARDS

Oman - Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman

2012-03-03T11:29:00.004+01:00

The falaj (plural, aflaj) is a system which consists of tapping underground water resources, springs or surface water and conveying the water by gravity, over long distances, to towns and villages where it is distributed for domestic and agricultural use. The Omani irrigation systems may date back to 500 AD. Five of the 3,000 Aflaj irrigation systems still in use in Oman, were designated as a World Heritage Site. They are : Falaj Al-Khatmeen, Falaj Al-Malki, Falaj Daris, Falaj Al-Jeela and Fajal Al-Muyassar. UNESCO WHS in 2006

India - Mountain Railways of India

2012-03-02T10:38:00.001+01:00

The Mountain Railways of India consist of five railway lines built in the mountainous regions of India in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Three of these 5 railway lines were designated as a World Heritage Site: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (in 1999), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (in 2005) and Kalka-Shimla Railway (in 2008). The 2 other railway lines built during the British Raj are the Kangra Valley Railway and Matheran Hill Railway. The railways are still fully operational. UNESCO WHS in 1999, extension in 2005 and 2008.

Germany - Cologne Cathedral

2012-03-01T10:33:00.000+01:00

The cathedral was built in several stages over 600 years: its construction began in 1248 and the religious structure was finally completed in 1880. The Cathedral of Cologne is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. During World War II, the Cathedral was severely damaged by several bomb hits but did not collapse. It was completely restored in 1956. UNESCO WHS in 1996

Postcard 1

Cologne Cathedral - Stamp issued in 2003

Postcard 2 - Cologne in 1945

Old Town of Regensburg - Stamp issued in 2011

Canada - Old Town Lunenburg

2012-02-29T12:31:00.000+01:00

Located in the southwest coast of Nova Scotia, Lunenburg was established in 1753 by the British as a model town for new immigrants. Most of them came from southwestern Germany, from French and German-speaking Swiss cantons and from the French region of Montbeliard (east of France). The new settlement was named in honour of King George II, who was also Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburg. Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Lunenburg became a prosperous fishing and shipbuilding center. UNESCO WHS in 1995

Thailand - Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns

2012-02-28T12:10:00.000+01:00

The World Heritage site consists of Sukhothai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai Historical Park and Kampheng Phet Historical Park. The historical parks preserve the ruins of Sukhothai (capital city), Si Satchanalai (second royal residence) and Kampheng Pet, the 3 main cities of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The Kingdom was established in 1238 and lasted until 1376, when it was annexed by Ayuthaya. Sukhothai is said to be the first Thai Kingdom. The third ruler of the Kingdom, King Ramkahmhaeng, is credited with creating the Thai alphabet. UNESCO WHS in 1991

Postcard 1 - Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai

Postcard 2 - Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai

Postcard 3 - Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, Si Satchanalai

Photos : Jatuporn Rutnin

This is a post for "Our Wonderful World Tuesday" hosted on Jocelyn's Blog Cuckootree. Just click on the button to visit and join in.

Romania - Churches of Moldavia

2012-02-27T10:15:00.000+01:00

Located in Bukovina, Moldavia region, in the northeastern part of Romania, the Churches of Moldavia were built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Their exterior walls are entirely covered in fresco paintings inspired by Byzantine art. The well-preserved frescoes represent complete scenes of religious themes. Seven of these churches were included in the UNESCO WH List in 1993. The Sucevita Monastery was added to the list in 2010.

- Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist of Arbore
- Church of the Assumption of the Virgin of the former Monastery of Humor

- Church of the Annunciation of the Monastery of Moldovita

- Church of the Holy Rood of Patrauti

- Church of St Nicholas and the Catholicon of the Monastery of Probota

- Church of St George of Suceava

- Church of St George of the former Voronet Monastery

- Church of the Resurrection of Sucevita Monastery

Postcard 1 - Arbore Church (founded in 1503 by Luca Arbore, the advisor of Stephen the Great)

Postcard 2 - Humor Monastery (founded in 1530)

Postcard 3 - Moldovita Monastery (built in 1532 by Petru Rares, illegitimate son of Stefan the Great)

Postcard 4 - Voronet Monastery (founded in 1487 by Stefan the Great)

Postcard 5 - Sucevita Monastery (founded in 1581)

Malaysia - Kinabalu Park

2012-02-25T10:00:00.000+01:00

Kinabalu Park is located on the island of Borneo and is home to a wide variety of plant life, birds and animals. Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia (4,095m), stands in the centre of the Park. UNESCO WHS in 2000

Postcard 1

Kinabalu Stamp - issued in 2009

Postcard 2 - Orchids of Kinabalu

Postcard 3

Italy - Villa d'Este, Tivoli

2012-02-24T13:09:00.003+01:00

Located in Tivoli, the Villa d'Este was built for Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, son of Alfonso I d'Este and Lucrezia Borgia, when he was appointed Governor of Tivoli by Pope Julius III. The Villa d'Este was designed by the Italian architect Pirro Ligorio, and its construction began in 1550. The property is well-known for its somptuous terraced garden in the late-Renaissance mannerist style, with statues, pools, fountains and waterworks. UNESCO WHS in 2001

Photo Riproduzione Vietata

Austria - Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn

2012-02-23T11:24:00.000+01:00

Schönbrunn Palace belonged to the Habsburg imperial family and was used as a hunting lodge from the 16th century, as an imperial residence during the reign of Maria Theresa (1740-1780), and as a summer residence from the 18th century to 1918. Destroyed in 1683 during the last Turkish attack, it was rebuilt in 1685 by the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, and extended in the 1740s under the supervision of the architect Nicolaus Pacassi, when the Empress Maria Theresa chose Schönbrunn as her permanent residence. The garden comprises several structures such as a palm house, the Gloriette, the Roman Ruin and the Schönbrunn zoo - the oldest zoo in the world (founded in 1752). The Palace and its garden passed to the ownership of the Republic of Austria in 1918, at the end of the monarchy. UNESCO WHS in 1996

Postcard 1

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Spain - The Palmeral of Elche

2012-02-22T09:33:00.000+01:00

Located in the Province of Alicante, southeastern Spain, the Palmeral of Elche is the largest palm grove in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The Palmeral covers over 3.5 km² (including 1.5 km² within the city of Elche) and includes several orchards (huerto) such as the Municipal Park, the Huerto del Cura, Huerto de la Torre, Huerto de la Creu and Huerto de la Mezquita. Palms trees were most likely first planted by the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians in the 1st millennium BC. When the city was under Moorish rule (from the 8th century), the Moors extended, cultivated and designed the plantation. They also introduced an irrigation system which is still in use. UNESCO WHS in 2000

Postcard 1

Postcard 2 - The "Imperial Palm" in the Huerto del Cura. This date palm with 7 stems in the shape of a candelebra, was named after Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi, who visited the plantation in 1894.

Postcard 3 - Multiview card of the City of Elche and its palm trees

Andorra - Madriu Perafita Claror Valley

2012-02-21T11:58:00.002+01:00

The Madriu Perafita Claror Valley is a glacial valley, located in the southeastern part of the Principality of Andorra, in the Pyrénées mountains, between Spain and France. The valley occupies about 10% of the surface area of this landlocked country. The isolated valley is characterized by glacial landscapes of craggy cliffs and glaciers, with open pastures and steep wooded valleys. UNESCO WHS in 2004

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Photo Jordi Pantebre

This is a post for "Our Wonderful World Tuesday" hosted on Jocelyn's Blog Cuckootree. Just click on the button to visit and join in.

Denmark - Kronborg Castle

2012-02-20T13:07:00.000+01:00

The Kronborg Castle at Helsingor is a Renaissance castle and miltary fortress rebuilt during the reign of King Frederik II. Its history dates back to the Krogen fortress built in the 1420s by King Erik of Pomerania. In the years 1574-1585, King Frederik II decided to renovate the medieval castle which was renamed Kronborg. Located at the entrance of the Øresund sound, the Kronborg Castle had a strategic position to defend the Kingdom of Denmark, control the entrance to the Baltic and collect taxes from ships passing through the Sound between Denmark and Sweden. Kronborg is also known as Elsinore, the setting of Shakespeare's famous tragedy "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark". UNESCO WHS in 2000

USA - La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico

2012-02-19T12:06:00.000+01:00

Several defensive structures were erected between the 16th and 19th centuries to protect the city and the bay of San Juan, and consist of La Fortaleza, the 3 forts of San Felipe del Morro, San Cristóbal and San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo), and the City Wall. UNESCO WHS in 1983

Postcard 1 - Aerial view of San Juan, Purto Rico, and the Fort of San Felipe del Morro

Postcard 2 - Fort San Felipe del Morro, named after King Philipp II of Spain

Postcard 3 - Fortaleza Street, Old San Juan, historic district of San Juan

Russia - Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent

2012-02-18T16:01:00.004+01:00

Located in south-western Moscow, the Novodevichy Convent, also known as the Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery, was founded in 1524 by Grand Prince Vasili III in commemoration of the conquest of Smolensk from Lithuania in 1514. It served as a convent for ladies from royal and noble families, and also as a prison for rebellious royals. The monastic complex is made up of 15 buildings, the main monument being the Smolensky Cathedral. UNESCO WHS in 2004

Postcard 1 - Panoramic view

Postcard 2

Postcard 3 - Lopukhina Palace, Novodevichy Convent

United Kingdom - Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church

2012-02-17T11:45:00.001+01:00

The World Heritage Site consists of 3 distinct properties in Canterbury, Kent: St Martin's Church, the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey and Canterbury Christchurch Cathedral. UNESCO WHS in 1988

Postcard 1 - St Martin's Church is the oldest church of England. It was originally a Roman building converted into a Christian chapel in the 580s for the use of Queen Bertha, a Frankish princess who married King Ethelbert of Kent.

Postcards 2 and 3 - St Augustine's Abbey was founded in 598 by Augustine, a Benedictine monk who was sent by Pope Gregory I to convert the Anglo Saxons to Christianity. In 1538, the Abbey fell into disuse after the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of King Henry VIII.

The remains of St Augustine's Abbey

The north wall of the nave

Postcard 4 - Canterbury Christchurch Cathedral was also founded by Augustine in 602. After the murder of the Archbishop Thomas Becket in the cathedral in 1170, the site became a major pilgrimage destination. Canterbury Cathedral is still the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Guatemala - Antigua Guatemala

2012-02-16T13:13:00.000+01:00

Antigua Guatemala was founded in the early 16th century and was originally named Santiago de Los Caballeros de Guatemala. It was the capital city of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, also known as the Kingdom of Guatemala. Built in an earthquake-prone region, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1773. In 1776, the Spanish Crown decided to abandon Antigua Guatemala for a safer place, and the capital moved to present-day Guatemala City. Many of Antigua's monuments dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, have been preserved as ruins. UNESCO WHS in 1979

Postcard showing La Merced Church

Mexico - Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan

2012-02-15T10:43:00.000+01:00

Located 40 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, Teotihuacan is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Mexico. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, the city of Teotihuacan is known for its monumental structures : the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Sun (the third-largest pyramid in the world), the Pyramid of the Moon and the city's broad central avenue called the "Avenue of the Dead". At its zenith, around 500 AD, Teotihuacan was the largest city in Mesoamerica, and one of the largest city in the world. Teotihuacan began declining and was completely abandoned in the 7th century. The name Teotihuacan comes from a Nahuatl word meaning "The City of the Gods", or "Where Men Become Gods". It was given by the Aztecs who visited the holy city in the early 14th century. UNESCO WHS in 1987

Postcard 1 - Avenue of the Dead and Pyramid of the Sun

Postcard 2 - Pyramid of the Moon

Spain - Doñana National Park

2012-02-14T13:38:00.001+01:00

Located in Andalusia at the delta of the Guadalquivir River, Doñana National Park is the largest natural park in Spain and one of Europe's most important wetland reserves. The park is a major site for migrating birds and is also home to many rare and endangered species, such as the Iberian lynx and the golden eagle. UNESCO WHS in 1994, extension in 2005

Postcard 1

Postcard 2 - Some birds wintering in the Doñana National Park

This is a post for "Our Wonderful World Tuesday" hosted on Jocelyn's Blog Cuckootree. Just click on the button to visit and join in.

Senegal - Island of Gorée

2012-02-14T10:23:00.000+01:00

The island of Gorée lies off the coast of the Senegalese capital city Dakar. The island was one of the first places in Africa to be settled by Europeans : it was first occupied by the Portuguese in 1444, followed by the Dutch, the Portuguese again and the French in 1677. From 1677 to 1960 (when Senegal became independent) the island remained French, with brief intervals of British occupation between 1677 and 1815. The Island of Gorée was a major place in the triangular slave trade between Europe, Africa and the Americas in the 16th-19th centuries. UNESCO WHS in 1978

USA - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2012-02-13T12:57:00.001+01:00

Located on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the US with over 9 million visitors every year. The national park which was established in 1934, is home to a wide diversity of plants, animals and invertebrates : for example 200 species of birds, over 60 species of mammal species, more than 100 species of tree and 1,500 flowering plant species can be found in the park. It houses the greatest variety of salamanders in the world. Some old historic buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries - houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools, and grist mills - have been preserved in the park (at Cades Cove, Cataloochee and Oconaluftee). UNESCO WHS in 1983

Postcard 1

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Poland - Historic Centre of Warsaw

2012-02-11T11:03:00.005+01:00

Warsaw was founded in the 13th century and became the capital city of Poland in 1596. In August 1944, the historic centre of Warsaw (the Old Town or Stare Miasto) was largely destroyed by the Nazi troops.The reconstruction of Warsaw began in 1945. Many of the historic streets, buildings and churches erected between the 13th and 20th centuries, were restored according to their original plans. UNESCO WHS in 1980

Postcard 1 - The Royal Castle (Zamek Królewsi)

Postcard 2 - The Barbican which is located between the Old and New Towns, was erected in 1540.

Germany / Netherlands - The Wadden Sea

2012-02-10T13:25:00.000+01:00

The transboundary site comprises the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area and the German Wadden Sea National Parks of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The site is 400 kilometers long and has a surface area of 9,683 km² (7,133 km² located in Germany and 2,550 km² in the Netherlands). The Wadden Sea is one of the most important wetlands in the world. The park is a major site for migratory birds and is also home to many plant and animal species, including marine mammals such as the harbour seal, grey seal and harbour porpoise. The inscribed site represents over 66% of the whole Wadden Sea. UNESCO WHS in 2009

Postcard 1 - Germany

Postcard 2 - Germany

Postcard 3 - Netherlands

Postcard 4 - Netherlands - The Ameland island

Waddenzee Werelderfgoed - Stamp issued in January 2010

India - Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)

2012-02-09T09:46:00.001+01:00

Formerly known as the Victoria Terminus, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a historic railway station in Mumbai (Bombay), India. It was designed by the British architect Frederick William Stevens in the Victorian Gothic Revival architectural style. Its construction began in 1878 and the railway station opened in 1887 for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. In 1996, the Victoria Terminus was renamed after Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shivaji Raje Bhosle, sovereign of the Maratha kingdom in 1674. UNESCO WHS in 2004

Chile - Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works

2012-02-08T10:02:00.002+01:00

Located in the Pampa del Tamarugal, part of the Atacama desert, one of the driest area in the world, the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works are two former saltpeter refineries established in the 1870s. Thousands of workers from Chile, Peru and Bolivia lived in company towns and worked in this hostile environment, for over 60 years, to extract the world's largest deposit of saltpeter (sodium nitrate). The workers developed their own pampinos culture characterized by a rich language, creativity, solidarity and pioneering struggles for social justice. Competition from synthetic nitrates led to the closure of the refineries in the late 1950s and both company towns became ghost towns. The properties were declared National Monument in 1970 and were listed as a UNESCO WHS in 2005.

Because of its structural fragility and the effects of an earthquake, the designated site was also included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2005

Greece - Medieval City of Rhodes

2012-02-07T11:12:00.001+01:00

The earlier Byzantine city of Rhodes was rebuilt and transformed into a stronghold by the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem when they captured and occupied Rhodes between 1309 and 1523. The medieval city, surrounded by a 4 km-long wall, was divided into 2 parts : the northern part, called Collachium, where the Knights lived and where the main landmarks of the military Order can be found (Knights’ houses, the Hospital, the Church of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Master); and the southern part, known as Hora where the Greeks and other nationalities lived. During the Ottoman period, from 1523 to 1912, the fortifications and the medieval buildings were preserved. Many of the buildings were turned into mosques and new ones such as public baths were built. The designated site is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. UNESCO WHS in 1988.

Postcard 1 - Aerial view of the the Old City of Rhodes

Postcard 2 - The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes

Postcard 3 - The Street of the Knights (Ipoton Street)

Postcard 4 - The Suleiman Mosque

France - Mont Saint Michel and its Bay

2012-02-05T10:48:00.000+01:00

Mont Saint-Michel is a small island in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides, between France and Brittany. The site is one of France's most visited attractions (after the Eiffel Tower and the palace of Versailles). Less than 50 people live on Mont Saint Michel. During the summer time, about 20,000 tourists visit every day the site. The Gothic-style Benedictine abbey, called "Wonder of the West", was built during the Middle Age after the appearance of the Archangel Michael to the bishop of Avranches, St Aubert. UNESCO WHS in 1979

Postcard 1

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Sri Lanka - Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

2012-02-04T11:50:00.003+01:00

Situated on the south-western top of Sri Lanka, the Fort of Galle was founded by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, before being conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century. The Dutch rebuilt the town and strengthened its fortifications. The Galle Fort was handed over to the English in 1796. UNESCO WHS in 1988

Postcard 1 - The waterfront

Postcard 2 - All Saints Church within the Old Town of Galle

China - Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

2012-02-03T11:57:00.001+01:00

Located in Lhasa, the Potala Palace complex was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama from 1649 to 1959, when the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India after the Tibetan uprising. The Potala Palace was founded in 637 by King Songtsen Gampo (Tubo Dynasty) and was used as a meditation retreat. The complex was rebuilt in 1645 by the 5th Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso and became the chief residence of the Dalai Lamas, replacing the Drepung Monastery. It includes the White and Red Palaces and some subsidiary buildings. The White Palace (Potrang Karpo) holds the throne of the Dalai Lama, his personal apartments and administrative offices, while the Red Palace (Potrang Marpo) contains chapels, libraries, several shrines and the tombs of 8 previous Dalai Lamas. The designated site was extended to include the 7th-century Jokhang Temple Monastery and Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace which was built in the 18th century. UNESCO WHS in 1994, extension in 2000 and 2001

Bangladesh - Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat

2012-02-02T11:56:00.001+01:00

Formerly known as Khalifatabad, the historic city of Bagerhat is located in south-west Bangladesh. It was founded in the 15th century by the Turkish general Ulugh Khan Jahan. The city is renowned for its large concentration of mosques and Islamic monuments. More than 50 monuments are part of the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, such as the Shat Gambuj Mosque (Sixty Pillar Mosque), the Tomb of Khan Jahan, the Khan Jahan Ali's Mosque, the Nine Domed Mosque, the Singar Mosque, the Chuna Khola Mosque, the Ronvijoypur Mosque, the Reza Khoda Mosque and the Binat Bibi Mosque. UNESCO WHS in 1985

Postcard showing the Shat Gambuj Mosque

Russia - Kizhi Pogost

2012-02-01T16:10:00.003+01:00

The pogost of Kizhi (Kizhi enclosure) is located on an island in Lake Onega, in Karelia. The pogost includes an octogonal wooden bell tower and two 18th-century churches also in wood: the Church of the Intercession located on the south, was used during the winter, while the Church of the Transfiguration, located on the north, was used during the summer. UNESCO WHS in 1990

Postcard showing the amazing Church of the Transfiguration

Kizhi Pogost Stamp - Issued in 2008

Postcard 2 - Architectural Ensemble of Kizhi Pogost : The Church of the Transfiguration, the Bell Tower and the Church of the Intercession (from left to right)

Kizhi Pogost Stamps - Issued in 2008

Czech Republic - Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc

2012-01-31T09:39:00.000+01:00

Located in Olomouc, Moravia region, the Holy Trinity Column is a memorial column erected in honour of God, between 1716 and 1754, shortly after the plague which struck Moravia in 1714-1716. It was designed by Václav Render. The column is decorated in the characteristic regional style known as Olomouc Baroque style, with many fine religious sculptures. Some of these sculptures were built by the Moravian artist Ondrej Zahner. The column is 35 metres high and its base houses a chapel. UNESCO WHS in 2000

Brazil - Historic Town of Ouro Preto

2012-01-30T14:06:00.001+01:00

Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was founded at the end of the 17th century when gold was discovered in the mountains of Minas Gerais. The city became an important economic and political centre in the 18th century. Many buildings, churches and bridges were built during the gold rush era. Ouro Preto was the 1st brazilian town to be inscribed as a world heritage site. UNESCO WHS in 1980

Postcard 1 - Historic Centre

Postcard 2 - The Rococo Church of Sao Francisco de Assis, designed by the Brazilian architect Aleijadinho.

Postcard 3 - The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nossa Senhora do Carmel), built in the 18th century

City of Ouro Preto - Stamp issued in 2011

USA - Pueblo de Taos

2012-01-29T10:42:00.000+01:00

Taos Pueblo is one of the eight northern pueblos of New Mexico. Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA. Built between 1000 and 1450, the multi-story buildings of Taos Pueblo are made of adobe, a natural material consisting of earth, water and straw, then shaped into brick and sun dried. UNESCO WHS in 1992

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Postcard 3

Written on the back : "One of the five story tall structures can be seen here with traditional outdoor domed oven."

Austria - City of Graz : Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg

2012-01-28T10:34:00.000+01:00

Second largest city after Vienna, Graz is situated in the southeastern part of Austria. Graz was the capital of Inner Austria and the residence of the Habsburg dynasty until 1618, when Ferdinand II became Holy Roman Emperor and moved his court to Vienna. The old town consists of many buildings ranging in style from Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque up to Art Nouveau. In 1999, Graz was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. The site was extended in 2010 to include the baroque Eggenberg Castle and its landscaped gardens, located on the western side of Graz. UNESCO WHS in 1999, extension in 2010

Postcard 1 - The Hauptplatz in Graz

Wachau/Dürnstein Weltkulturerbe UNESCO - Stamp issued in 2008

Postcard 2 - Eggenberg Castle

Poland - Auschwitz-Birkenau

2012-01-27T10:22:00.000+01:00

On January 27, 1945, the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated by Soviet troops. International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January, is an international memorial day for the victims of the holocaust. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7 on November 1st, 2005.

The postcard shows the main camp gate with the inscription "Arbeit macht frei" (work will set you free). Tragic remember of the horrors committed during WW2. UNESCO WHS site in 1979

Spain - La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia

2012-01-26T11:31:00.001+01:00

La Lonja de la Seda or Silk Exchange was built between 1482 and 1533. The complex which was inspired by a similar structure in Palma de Mallorca, consists of four main parts : the Trading Hall - the main body of the complex designed by the architect Pere Compte - the Tower including the Chapel, the Consulado and a garden called the Courtyard of the Orange Trees. The Lonja de la Seda is considered one of the best examples of Gothic civil architecture in Europe. UNESCO WHS in 1996

The Trading Hall, also called the Hall of Columns

Australia - Great Barrier Reef

2012-01-25T16:18:00.002+01:00

Located off the coast of Queensland, northeast Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. UNESCO WHS in 1981

Photo T. Allofs/Corbis

Belgium - Historic Centre of Brugge

2012-01-24T17:12:00.004+01:00

Located close to the North Sea, the city of Brugge started to develop from the 9th century and became a harbour and a commercial centre. A sea-arm, called the Zwin, connected the city with the North Sea. From the 12th century, Brugge prospered as an international trading centre thanks to the Flemish textile industry. The silting up of the Zwin, the crisis in the Flemish wool industry and the integration of the Flemish regions into the Habsburg Empire led to the decline of Brugge in the late 15th century. Trade moved to rival cities such as Ghent and Antwerp. UNESCO WHS in 2000

Postcard showing the Grand Place and the Belfry

United Arab Emirates - Cultural sites of Al Ain

2012-01-23T14:20:00.002+01:00

Al Ain, known as the "garden city" was the first Emirati site to be added to the UNESCO WHS in 2011. Located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the property includes 17 cultural, historical and archaeological sites grouped into 4 categories : Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and the Oases areas with their falaj irrigation system (oases of Al Ain, Al Jimi, Hili, Al Qattara, Mutaredth and Al Muwaiji).

Postcard 1 - Hili Fort, Al Ain

Postcard 2

China - Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

2012-01-21T13:46:00.015+01:00

The Imperial Tombs of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties consists of several groups of tombs and burial complexes. The properties were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, with extensions in 2003 and 2004.

The tombs of the Ming dynasties consist of Xianling Tomb (Zhongxiang, Hubei Province), Xiaoling Tomb, Tomb of Chang Yuchun, Tomb of Qiu Cheng, Tomb of Wu Liang, Tomb of Wu Zhen, Tomb of Xu Da and Tomb of Li Wenzhong (Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province) and the 13 tombs of the Ming Dynasty near Beijing

The Tombs of the Qing Dynasty consist of the Eastern Qing Tombs (Zunhua, Hebei Province), the Western Qing Tombs (Baoding City, Hebei Province), the Yongling Tomb (Fishun City), the Fuling Tomb (Shenyang City) and the Zhaoling Tomb (Shenyang City)

Postcard 1 - The Sacred Way leading to the Ming Xiaoling Tomb

Ming Xiaoling Tomb is the mausoleum of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor in the Ming Dynasty, and his wife Empress Ma. Ming Xiaoling Tomb was inscribed as a UNESCO WHS in 2003, as an extension of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Postcard 2 - The Ming Xianling Tomb (Zhongxiang, Hubei Province)

Italy / Switzerland - Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

2012-01-20T14:20:00.006+01:00

The Rhaetian railway in the Albula/Bernina landscapes consists of 2 historic railway lines, the Albula and Bernina lines, that cross the Swiss Alps through 2 passes. The Albula line (from Thusis to St Moritz - Switzerland) is 67 km long and has 42 tunnels/covered galleries and 144 viaducts/bridges. The Bernina line (from St Moritz to Tirano in Italy) is 61 km long and has 13 tunnels/galleries and 52 viaducts/bridges. The Albula and Bernina railway lines which were completed in 1903 and 1910 respectively, are a masterpiece of civil engineering. UNESCO WHS in 2008.

Postcard 1 - The Albula line in Switzerland

Postcard 2 - The Bernina line - Tirano in Italy

Brazil - Historic centre of Salvador de Bahia

2012-01-19T09:26:00.010+01:00

The city of Salvador de Bahia was founded by the Portuguese in 1549 and was the first colonial capital of Brazil from 1549 to 1763. The historic center of the city is called the Pelourinho (Pillory). From 1558, Salvador de Bahia was the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. UNESCO WHS in 1985

Postcard showing the Pelourinho and the Church of "Nossa Senhora Dos Pretos"

Romania - Wooden churches of Maramures

2012-01-18T10:28:00.005+01:00

Located in northern Romania, the wooden churches of Maramures were built from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The churches share some architectural characteristics : they are narrow, high, timber constructions with tall clock towers, either single or double-roofed and covered by shingles. Most of the wooden churches of the region were rebuilt after the last great Tatar invasions in 1717. Eight of these churches from Maramures were included in the UNESCO WH list in 1999. They are :

- Church of the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple in Barsana (built in 1720)

- Church of Saint Nicholas in Budesti (built in 1643)

- Church of the Holy Paraskeva in Desesti (built in 1770)

- Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Ieud Deal (built in the 2nd half of the 17th century)

- Church of the Holy Archangels in Plopis, built in 1796

- Church of the Holy Parasceve in Poienile Izei (built in 1604-1632)

- Church of the Holy Archangels in Rogoz (built in 1663)

- Church of the Holy Archangels in Surdesti (built in 1766)

Postcard 1 - Barsana Church

Postcard 2 - Ieud Church

Postcard 3 - Rogoz Church

Postcard 4 - Surdesti Church

France - Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe

2012-01-17T13:37:00.005+01:00

Located near Poitiers, the Abbey Church of Saint Savin sur Gartempe was founded during the reign of Charlemagne in order to shelter the holy relics of 2 martyrs, Savin and Cyprian. Rebuilt in the 11th century, the Church and the crypt of the Saints Savin and Cyprian contains many well-preserved mural paintings dating from the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the 12th century and depicting biblical scenes. The church is also known as "the Romanesque Sistine Chapel". UNESCO WHS in 1983

For more information, visit the Official website

Postcard 1 - View of the Abbey of Saint-Savin across the River Gartempe

Postcard 2 - Mural painting on the nave's vault : The creation of the stars

United Kingdom - City of Bath

2012-01-16T14:45:00.004+01:00

The city of Bath developed soon after the Romans landed in Britain in AD 43. The original name of the city was Aquae Sulis. The Romans built a series of baths around the hot springs and a temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city of Bath fell into decay and was rediscovered during the Georgian era. UNESCO WHS in 1987

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Postcard 3 - The Abbey Church of St Peter

Postcard 4 - Holburne Museum of Art (formerly known as the Holburne of Menstrie Museum)

Sweden - Royal Domain of Drottningholm

2012-01-14T11:30:00.005+01:00

The Royal ensemble at Drottningholm, comprising the castle, the theatre, the Chinese pavilion and the gardens is located on Lake Mälaren, near Stockholm. The 18th-century castle was inspired by the Palace of Versailles. UNESCO WHS in 1991

Postcard 1 - The Castle

Postcard 2 - The Theatre, built in 1766 and restored in the early 20th century

South Africa - Cape Floral Region Protected Areas

2012-01-13T11:54:00.002+01:00

The Cape Floral Region includes 8 protected areas between the Cape Peninsula and the Eastern Cape : Table Mountain National Park (previously known as the Cape Peninsula National Park), De Hoop Nature Reserve, the Boland mountain complex, the Groot Winterhoek wilderness area, the Swartberg mountains, the Boosmansbos wilderness area, the Cederberg wilderness area and Baviaanskloof. The Cape Floral Region which covers 553,000 hectares, is one of the richest areas for plants in the world. It represents less than 0.5% of the area of Africa but is home to nearly 20% of the continent’s flora. UNESCO WHS in 2004

Indonesia - Borobudur Temple Compounds

2012-01-12T15:00:00.002+01:00

Located in Central Java, the Buddhist temple was founded by a king of the Saliendra dynasty. It was built in the 8th and 9th centuries to honour the glory of both the Buddha and its founder. The temple lay forgotten for centuries under a blanket of volcanic ash and vegetation. It was rediscovered in 1814 thanks to Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Java. The Borobudur temple was fully unearthed in 1835. UNESCO WHS in 1991

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Postcard 2 - Borobudur stupas

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Spain - Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon

2012-01-11T11:38:00.006+01:00

Mudéjar, from the arabic word "mudayyan" meaning "those who have been allowed to stay", is the name given to the style of architecture created by the Muslims who remained in Spain after the Christian reconquest (Reconquista). The Mudéjar architecture, developed from the 12th to the 16th centuries, is characterized by the use of bricks, glazed tiles (azulejos), ceramics or plaster, and incorporates elements such as wooden roofs, horseshoe arches and Moorish geometric patterns.

Four Mudéjar monuments located in Teruel were included in the UNESCO WH List in 1986: the tower, cupola and ceiling of the cathedral of Santa María de Mediavilla, the tower and church of San Pedro, the tower of the church of San Martín and the tower of the church of El Salvador.

In 2001, the WH site was extended to 6 other Mudéjar monuments located in Zaragosa and its province : the church of Santa María in Calatayud, the church of Santa Tecla in Cervera de la Cañada, the church of Santa María in Tobed, the remains of the Palacio de la Aljafería in Zaragoza, the tower and church of San Pablo in Zaragoza and La Seo Cathedral in Zaragoza.

Postcard showing some Mudéjar monuments in Zaragoza : the tower of the church of San Gil, tower of the Church of San Pablo, tower of the church Santa Maria Magdalena and tower of the church San Miguel (from left to right)

France - Historic Site of Lyon

2012-01-10T09:53:00.002+01:00

Named Lugdunum by the Romans, the city was founded in 43BC by Lucius Munatius Plancius and became the capital of the Gauls until 297AD. Thanks to its strategic location, at the convergence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers, the city has been a flourishing trade centre for centuries. From the 16th century, Lyon became the centre of the silk industry and also a major printing and publishing centre in Europe. The 1st French Stock Exchange was created in Lyon in 1506. The historic centre of the city consists of the Roman district including the Fourvière Hill, the Renaissance district (Vieux Lyon), the Presqu'île and the Croix-Rousse Hills where the silk trade and industry developed. UNESCO WHS in 1998

Postcard 1 - The Fourvière Hill and Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)

Postcard 2 - Roofs of some houses in the Saint-Jean Quarter, Vieux Lyon

Postcard 3 - Cobbled pedestrian street called "Rue du Boeuf", Vieux Lyon

Postcard 4 - Cathedral of Saint-Jean, also called Primatiale of Saint-Jean

Chile - Churches of Chiloé

2012-01-09T10:18:00.002+01:00

The wooden churches are located in the Chiloé Archipelago, and their construction is related with to arrival of Jesuit missions from the 17th century in Chile. With the aim of evangelizing the indigenous people of the area, the Jesuits began building chapels. By the end of the 19th century, over 100 churches had been built; between 50 and 60 survive to the present day. Sixteen churches are part of the UNESCO WHS : Churches of Achao, Aldachildo, Caguach, Castro, Chelín, Conchi, Colo, Dalcahue, Detif, Ichuac, Nercón, Quinchao, Rilán, San Juan, Tenaún and Vilipulli. UNESCO WHS in 2000

Postcard showing the Churches of Aldachildo, Chacao, Nercón, Tenaún, Vilipulli, Rilán, Castro and Llau-Llau (from left to right, up to down)

USA - Mammoth Cave National Park

2012-01-08T18:30:00.002+01:00

Located in the US State of Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is the world's longest known cave system, with 630 km of explored passages. The limestone caves were carved by the Green River and its tributary, the Nolin River. The flora and fauna of the site is the richest cave-dwelling wildlife known, with more than 130 species within the cave system. UNESCO WHS in 1981

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Postcard 3 - Violet City (chamber discovered in 1908)

South Korea - Changdeokgung Palace Complex

2012-01-07T15:00:00.002+01:00

Located in Hanyang (present-day Seoul), Changdeokgung Palace is one of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It was built in 1405 following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace. Destroyed in 1592 during the Japanese invasion, Changdeokgung Palace was restored in 1610 and was the royal residence and the seat of government until 1872. The complex consists of the palace and various buildings, and a landscape garden called "the Secret Garden". UNESCO WHS in 1997

Australia - Lord Howe Island Group

2012-01-06T09:54:00.003+01:00

Born of underwater volcanic activity 7 millions years ago, the Lord Howe Island Group is located in the south Pacific Ocean, and consists of the main island Lord Howe Island, and smaller islands, islets and rocks (comprising Admiralty Islands, Mutton Bird Islands, Sail Rock, Blackburn Island, Gower Island and Ball's Pyramid). The islands are home to numerous endemic species of flora and fauna. UNESCO WHS in 1982

Postcard 1 - Top left : Ball's Pyramid - Bottom Right : a white tern - Centre : Looking towards Mt Eliza on Lord Howe Island

Postcard 2 - View across the lagoon to Mt Lidgbird and Mt Gower

El Salvador - Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site

2012-01-05T11:59:00.003+01:00

Located to the northwest of the city of San Salvador, in the Zapotitán Valley, Joya de Cerén is a pre-Columbian Maya village which was completely buried under several meters of ash following the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano around 600 AD. The village laid under volcanic ash for more than 1300 years until it was accidentally discovered in 1976. The site has been preserved remarkably intact and provides an insight into the pre-Columbian Mayan way of life. Joya de Cerén is also known as the "Pompeii of the Americas". UNESCO WHS in 1993

China - Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

2012-01-04T15:19:00.002+01:00

The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang (259 BC - 210 BC), China's first Emperor, contains the famous army of terracotta warriors. The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by some local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an City. The Emperor Qin was buried surrounded by the terracotta warriors, their horses, chariots and weapons. UNESCO WHS in 1987

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Written on the card : "The vaults of the terracotta warriors and horses are 1,500 meters east of the mausoleum. Over 7,000 pottery figures have been unearthed here, including soldiers, chariots and horses."

Spain - Monastery and Site of the Escurial, Madrid

2012-01-03T15:48:00.002+01:00

King Philipp II ordered the construction of the Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial, to commemorate the spanish victory at the Battle of San Quentin in Picardy (1557) against Henry II, King of France. The construction began in 1563 and the buildings were designed by the architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera. The Royal site was completed in 1584. It includes a Monastery, a Palace, a Library and a Royal Pantheon. UNESCO WHS in 1984

Postcard 1

Postcard 2 - The Library

Belarus - Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh

2012-01-02T09:32:00.002+01:00

Located in Central Belarus, the complex was built and occupied by the Radziwill family from the 16th century to 1939. The complex is made up of the castle (with 10 interconnected buildings) and the 16th-century Corpus Christy Church. The Nesvizh buildings served as an architectural model for many buildings erected in Central Europe and Russia. UNESCO WHS in 2005

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Written on the back of the card : "The first things visitors of the Radziwills' castle observe on their way to the manor are ramparts and strongholds, moats filled with water taken from ponds on the Usha river . The first stone in the foundation of the castle was laid in 1583. Since its inception, the castle has absorbed nearly all European architectural styles - from Renaissance to Modern Arts"

Iceland - Surtsey

2011-12-31T11:30:00.002+01:00

Surtsey Island is a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland. Named after Surtr, a giant of fire in the Norse mythology, Surtsey was formed by a series of underwater eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. Since 1964 the new island has become an unique natural laboratory, giving to the scientists the opportunity to study the process of colonization of a sterile territory by plant and animal life. The first vascular plant was found growing on the island in 1965. Surtsey is now home to various species of plants, birds and invertebrates. UNESCO WHS in 2008

Belgium - Grand Place, Brussels

2011-12-30T10:02:00.001+01:00

La Grand Place is the central square in Brussels, surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi (King's House). In 1695, during the Nine Years' War, most of the buildings around the Grand Place were destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels by the French troops of King Louis XIV. The houses were rebuilt in 4 years by the City's guilds. UNESCO WHS in 1998

Postcard 1 - The Flower Carpet is an event held every two years in August on the Grand Place which is decorated with thousands of colourful begonias. The first flower carpet was created in 1971.

Postcard 2 - Grand Place, Town Hall

Vietnam - Complex of Hué Monuments

2011-12-29T10:24:00.002+01:00

From 1802 to 1945 Hué was the imperial capital of unified Viet Nam. The capital city was established by Gia Long, the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The complex is made up of the Capital City in Hué and associated monuments outside the city. The capital city of Hué contains several citadels and defensive walls, such as the Capital City (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), the Inner City (Dai Noi) and the Purple Forbidden City (Tu Cam Thanh), once the residence of the royal family and damaged during the Vietnam war. Outside the city, the complex includes the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, temples and pagodas. UNESCO WHS in 1993

Postcard 1 - The Ngo Mon Gate, built in 1833, is the main entrance to the Imperial City

Latvia - Historic Centre of Riga

2011-12-28T09:30:00.002+01:00

In the 13th century Riga was a large mercantile centre along with Lübeck and Gdansk. The city became member of the Hanseatic League in 1282. Riga has the largest and finest collection of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings. The best examples of the Art Nouveau architecture are situated on Albert Street. UNESCO WHS in 1997

Postcard 1 - Panoramic view of Riga

Postcard 2 - Art Nouveau buildings in Riga

Postcard 3 - Medieval dwelling houses, called "Three Brothers". They are situated on Maza Pils numbers 17, 19, and 21. The oldest house "White Brother" was built in the 15th century, "Yellow Brother" dates back to 1646 and "Green Brother" is the more recent dwelling house, built in the middle of the 18th century.

Oman - Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn

2011-12-27T16:33:00.003+01:00

Located in the desert in Oman, in the Adh-Dhahirah Region which borders the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the 3 archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Qubur Juhhal at Al-Ayn consist of settlements and necropolises dating back to 3000 BC and linked to the Umm an-Nar culture. The Bat archeological site includes stone towers, houses and drystone circular tombs. The 2 neighbouring archaelogical sites, Al-Khutm and Qubur Juhhal at Al-Ayn contain respectively a tower and a group of 21 beehive tombs. UNESCO WHS in 1988

Written on the card : "These feldstone tombs at Bat are among many to dot the landscape beneath Jebel Misht and were constructed some four thousand years ago"

Germany - Maulbronn Monastery Complex

2011-12-26T10:07:00.003+01:00

Located in Baden-Württemberg, the Maulbronn Monastery was founded in 1147 by the Cistercian order. It is the most complete and best-preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps. The Cistercian monks lived at Maulbronn during almost 400 years. After the Reformation, and the dissolution of the monastery - Maulbronn became the seat of the Dukes of Württemberg and was converted into a Protestant seminary. UNESCO WHS in 1993

Canada - Rideau Canal

2011-12-24T10:30:00.005+01:00

Built from 1826 to 1832 for military purposes, Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. Rideau Canal connects the Ottawa river at Ottawa with Lake Ontario at Kingston. It consists of 47 locks and is 202 km long. UNESCO WHS in 2007

Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Ontario, and the Space Tower in the background.

Mexico - Sian Ka'an

2011-12-23T10:00:00.004+01:00

Sian Ka'an, meaning "Origin of the sky" in the language of the Mayan people, is a Biosphere Reserve located on the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Consisting of tropical forests, mangrove, marches and a portion of coastal barrier reef, Sian Ka'an is home to a rich flora and fauna. The reserve includes also 23 Mayan archaeological sites. UNESCO WHS in 1987

Belarus - Mir Castle Complex

2011-12-22T01:30:00.002+01:00

Situated on the bank of a small lake, in the town of Mir, the Castle was built in Gothic style at the end of the 15th century. UNESCO WHS in 2000

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Postcard 2 - The Chapel-Crypt of Sviatapolk-Mirky and the Castle & Park Complex in Mir Town

2011-12-16T11:00:00.002+01:00

Located in the central part of the country, the Central Suriname Nature Reserve consists of 1.6 million hectares of primary tropical forest. The reserve is home to a large variety of flora and fauna : more than 5,000 vascular plant species, 400 birds species, 185 mammal species, 150 species of reptiles and 8 species of Suriname's monkey. UNESCO WHS in 2000

Japan - Shirakami-Sanchi

2011-12-15T12:30:00.002+01:00

Located in the northern part of the Island of Honshu, Shirakami-Sanchi is a mountainous region covered with forests of beech trees. It is one of the last natural beech forests left in East Asia. The site is home to a rich flora consisting of more than 500 plant species, a rich insect fauna with more than 2,200 species recorded and some rare animals such as the Asian black bear, the serow and the golden eagle. UNESCO WHS in 1993

Kenya - Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest

2011-12-14T11:00:00.001+01:00

Mount Kenya, an ancient extinct volcano and the second highest peak in Africa (5,199 meters), lies within the Mount Kenya National Park. The site offers varied landscapes : rainforests, bamboo forests, moorlands, snowfields, glaciers and tarns. The Park is home to many bird species and is also renowned for its rich and diverse wildlife : monkeys, black rhinoceros, leopard, elephants, antelopes and giant forest hogs. Mount Kenya is considered as a holy mountain, the seat of the Kikuyu God, Ngai. UNESCO WHS in 1997

Czech Republic - Historic centre of Prague

2011-12-13T13:55:00.002+01:00

The Historic city of Prague, built between the 11th and the 18th centuries, comprises 3 areas : the Old Town (Stare Mesto), the Lesser Town (Mala Strana) and the New Town (Nove Mesto). UNESCO WHS in 1992

Postcard 1 - View of the Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad) and the Vltava River

Postcard 2 - The 15th-century astronomical Clock, in the Old Town Square in Prague

Postcard 3 - Stare Mesto

Croatia - The Cathedral of St James in Sibenik

2011-12-13T13:30:00.002+01:00

The Cathedral of St James in Sibenik was built between 1431 and 1535. It was completed in three phases by three different architects : Francesco di Giacomo, Georgius Mathei Dalmaticus and Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino. The Cathedral, entirely built from stone, reflects the influences of Northern Italy, Dalmatia and Tuscany. It is a unique testimony to the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance period in church architecture. UNESCO WHS in 2000

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Poland - Churches of Peace in Jawor and Swidnica

2011-12-12T14:00:00.001+01:00

Built in the mid 17th century in the former Silesia, the Churches of Peace are the largest timber-framed religious buildings in Europe. Following the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 which ended the Thirty Years War in Europe, the Emperor Ferdinand III Habsburg allowed the Silesian protestants to have have their own place of worship. But his consent was given upon conditions : the churches had to be built exclusively of perishable materials (wood and clay), located outside city walls, and built in a short period of time (one year only). Three churches were erected in Silesia : in Glogow (church destroyed by fire), Jawor and Swidnica. UNESCO WHS in 2001

Postcard 1 - Church of Peace in Jawor

Postcard 2 - Church of Peace in Jawor

Postcard 3 - Church of Peace in Swidnica

Morocco - Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)

2011-12-10T12:21:00.002+01:00

Located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, the fortified town of Essaouira dates from the 18th century when Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Sultan of Morocco, decided to transform the former small harbor of Mogador into an international trading port. He entrusted the work to Theodore Cornut, a French architect profundly influenced by the designs of Vauban at Saint Malo. UNESCO WHS in 2001

Slovakia - Historic Town of Banska Stiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity

2011-12-08T10:30:00.002+01:00

The history of the city of Banska Stiavnica is linked to the exploitation of silver and gold mines. The city is located in central Slovakia, in the middle of an immense caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano. Mining activity dated back to the late Bronze Age , but started to develop from the 12th century. The mining city reached its apogee in the 15th and 16th centuries and various monuments were built at that time : Renaissance palaces, churches, squares and castles. The property includes also remains of mining operations (dams, reservoirs, opencast ore pits...). In 1762, the Mining Academy - the world's first technical university devoted to mining - was founded in Banska Stiavnica. UNESCO WHS in 1993

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Finland - Fortress of Suomenlinna

2011-12-06T10:30:00.002+01:00

Suomenlinna is a maritime fortress located off the coast of Helsinki. Its construction began in 1748. The fortress was built on 6 islands. UNESCO WHS in 1991

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China - Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing

2011-12-05T13:27:00.002+01:00

Located in the northwestern part of Beijing, the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is the largest imperial garden in China. It was a summer resort for the emperors in the Qing Dynasty. Largely destroyed in 1860 by the Anglo-French troops during the Second Opium War, the Summer Palace was rebuilt in the late 1880s. Dominated by the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake, the Summer Palace comprises a lot of scenic spots, such as buildings, halls, pavilions, pagodas, bridges, temples, gardens or ponds. UNESCO WHS in 1998

Postcard 1 - The Pavilion of the Fragrance of Buddha

Postcard 2 - The Garden of Virtue and Harmony which consists of the Great Stage, the Hall of Health and Happiness and the Qingshan Hall

Belgium - Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex

2011-12-04T12:00:00.002+01:00

Located in Antwerp, the Plantin-Moretus House is a former printing plant and publishing house founded in the 16th century by the printer-publisher Christophe Plantin. The printing activity ceased in 1867. The Plantin-Moretus building was sold to the city of Antwerp, and became a museum in 1876. It houses the two oldest surviving printing presses in the world, as well as a collection of typographical material, books and a painting of Rubens. UNESCO WHS in 2005

Ukraine - L'viv, the Ensemble of the Historic Centre

2011-12-02T10:01:00.002+01:00

Founded in the 13th century and situated at the intersection of important medieval trade routes linking the Baltic, central Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia, the city of L'viv became an important commercial center. The political and commercial role of L'viv attracted a number of ethnic groups (Polish, Ukrainian, Jewish, German, Armenian, Italian) who settled there and contributed to the cultural landscape of the city. UNESCO WHS in 1998

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Russia - Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve

2011-12-01T16:18:00.003+01:00

Located well above the Arctic Circle, the site includes the mountainous Wrangel Island, Herald Island and surrounding waters. Wrangel was not glaciated during the Quaternary Ice Age, resulting in exceptionally high levels of biodiversity for this region. The island boasts the world’s largest population of Pacific walrus and the highest density of ancestral polar bear dens. It is a major feeding ground for the grey whale migrating from Mexico and the northernmost nesting ground for 100 migratory bird species, many endangered. UNESCO WHS in 2004

Netherlands - Schokland and surroundings

2011-11-30T14:15:00.002+01:00

Schokland was a peninsula that by the 15th century had become an island. Occupied and then abandoned as the sea encroached, it had to be evacuated in 1859. But following the draining of the Zuider Zee, it has, since the 1940s, formed part of the land reclaimed from the sea. The former island Schokland is a symbol of the traditional Dutch struggle against the water. UNESCO WHS in 1995

Sri Lanka - Ancient City of Sigiriya

2011-11-30T10:00:00.002+01:00

Sigiriya is an archaeological site which contains the ruins of a former capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom. The site which includes a rock fortress and palace built by King Kassapa I (477–95), lies on the steep slopes and at the summit of a peak. Mural paintings depicting women figures were discovered on the western face of the rock. UNESCO WHS in 1982

Postcard 1 showing one of these remaining mural paintings.

Postcard 2 - Sigiriya Rock and Frescoes

United Kingdom - Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

2011-11-29T18:32:00.002+01:00

Built by the civil engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop, the 18 kilometre long Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal over the valley of the River Dee, between the villages of Trevor and Froncysyllte in north east Wales. Completed in 1805, it is considered as a masterpiece of civil engineering. UNESCO WHS in 2009

Hungary - Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape

2011-11-29T11:06:00.003+01:00

Located in northeastern Hungary, the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Region consists of 28 villages over a 7000-hectare area of vineyards. The most famous wine of the region is the Tokaj Aszú, known as "the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines". It is made from late-ripened grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot). UNESCO WHS in 2002

Japan - Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

2011-11-27T13:42:00.002+01:00

The villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are famous for their unique traditionnal Gassho-style thatched roof houses. The steeply pitched roofs were developed to withstand the severe winters and heavy snowfalls. Located in a mountainous region that was cut off from the rest of the world for a long period of time, the villages subsisted on the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. UNESCO WHS in 1995

Austria - Semmering Railway

2011-11-26T16:15:00.001+01:00

The Semmering Railway was built between 1848 and 1854, by the architect Carl Ritter von Ghega (1802-1860). The Semmering line runs for 41 km across the Semmering Pass and connects the cities of Gloggnitz in Lower Austria to Mürzzuschlag in Styria. The railway line contains 16 viaducts, 15 tunnels, 11 iron bridges and over 100 smaller curved stone bridges. The Semmering Railway became the prototype for all high-mountain railways. UNESCO WHS in 1998

Uganda - Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi

2011-11-25T17:51:00.002+01:00

The site is the former palace of the Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884 by King Muteesa II. Four former Kabakas (kings) of Buganda are buried in the main building, known as Muzibu Azaala Mpanga. Buganda is a kingdom within the south-central region of Uganda. Its subjects, known as the Baganda, are part of the Bantu people and constitute the largest ethnic group in Uganda. UNESCO WHS in 2001

In march 2010, the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga structure was almost completely destroyed by a fire. The site was included, the same year, on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The site is under reconstruction.

Philippines - Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

2011-11-24T16:31:00.001+01:00

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located in the island of Palawan, in the western part of the Philippines. The main features of the site are its limestone karst landscape and its 8.2 km-long underground river. UNESCO WHS in 1999

China - Yungang Grottoes

2011-11-23T17:29:00.003+01:00

Located near the city of Datong, Province of Shanxi, the Yungang grottoes are ancient Buddhist temple grottoes carved into the mountain between 460-525 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The site is made up of more than 50 caves housing some 51,000 statues. UNESCO WHS in 2001

Bulgaria - Madara Rider

2011-11-23T10:52:00.001+01:00

Located in the northeastern part of Bulgaria, near the village of Madara, the Madara Rider or Madara Horseman is a large rock relief depicting a horse rider triumphing over a lion with its spear. The scuplture is carved 23 m above ground level in an almost vertical 100 m high cliff and dates back to the 8th century. The relief symbolises the victory over the enemy and the power of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. UNESCO WHS in 1979

Netherlands - Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout

2011-11-21T14:02:00.006+01:00

The windmills at Kinderdijk-Elshout were built in the middle of the 18th century to drain the excess of water from the land into the nearby rivers. Although no longer in use since the 1940s, the windmills have been maintained in operating condition. The WH site consists of 19 windmills. UNESCO WHS in 1997

Portugal - Convent of Christ in Tomar

2011-11-19T19:45:00.003+01:00

The Convent of Christ in Tomar was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century as part of a system defence to secure the border of the Christian Kingdom against the Moors of Iberia. When the Order of the Knights Templar was abolished in the 14th century, the Convent was transferred to the Order of Christ. UNESCO in 1983

Postcard 1 - Cloister of King Joao III

Postcard 2 - Window of the Chapter House

Italy - Historic Centre of Urbino

2011-11-17T16:18:00.003+01:00

Located in the Marche region, the hill-town of Urbino was one of the most influential city during the Italian Renaissance thanks to the Duke of Urbino, Federico II da Montefeltro, who ruled the city from 1444 to 1482. The city was the birthplace of the artist Raphael. UNESCO WHS in 1998

Postcard 1 - The 15th-century Ducal Palace which houses the Gallery Nazionale delle Marche - one of the most important collection of Renaissance art in the world.

Postcard 2

Thailand - Ban Chiang Archaeological Site

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Located on the Khorat plateau, in the northeastern part of Thailand, Ban Chiang is one of the most important archaeological site in southeast Asia. The site was occupied from about 3600 BC to 200 AD. Ban Chiang was discovered in the 1960s and is famous for its beautiful red-on-buff painted pottery. UNESCO WHS in 1992

Mexico - Historic Centre of Zacatecas

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The city of Zacatecas was founded in 1546 following the discovery of silver deposits in the region. It became one of the most important mining town of the country in the 16th and 17th centuries. UNESCO WHS in 1993

Postcard showing the 16th-century Convent of San Francisco, converted in the 1990s into a museum displaying Mexican folk art.