Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom

This site includes 40 tombs: 14 tombs are imperial, 26 of nobles

Tomb of the General
This postcard was sent by Lizzie

The Tomb of the General, also known as the Pyramid of the East, is thought to be the burial tomb of King Gwanggaeto or his son King Jangsu, both kings of a kingdom of Goguryeo.
The pyramid is located in Ji'an, Jilin province China, a former capital of Goguryeo. The pyramid was "rediscovered" in 1905. 
The base of the pyramid measures approximately 75 meters on each side, about half the size of the Egyptian pyramids and is eleven meters in height. The pyramid is composed of 1,100 dressed stone blocks. Large stones, each measure approximately 3 x 5 meters were placed around the base of the pyramid and can still be seen today. The monumental size of the tomb suggests that the Goguryeo elite were very powerful and the kingdom had the ability to mobilize large numbers of people for building projects.  - in: wikipedia

Gyeongju Historic Areas

This site is divided in five different areas and encompass the ruins of temples and palaces, outdoor pagodas and statuary, and other cultural artifacts

Anapji Pond
This postcard was sent by Jennifer

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju (former name is Anapji) is an artificial pond in Gyeongju National ParkSouth Korea. It was part of the palace complex of ancient Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE). It was constructed by order of King Munmu in 674 CE. The pond is situated at the northeast edge of the Banwolseong palace site, in central Gyeongju. It is an oval shape; 200m from east to west and 180m from north to south. It contains three small islands. - in: wikipedia

The five areas (in red what I have):
  • Mt. Namsan Belt
  • Wolsong Belt
  • Tumuli Park Belt
  • Hwangnyongsa Belt
  • Sansong (Fortress) Belt

Monday, 15 January 2018

Lower Valley of the Awash

The Awash is a major river of Ethiopia and it is believed that humans have lived along the valley of the Awash since the beginning of the species

Awash Falls
This postcard was sent by Manú

The Awash valley contains one of the most important groupings of palaeontological sites on the African continent. The remains found at the site, the oldest of which date back at least 4 million years, provide evidence of human evolution which has modified our conception of the history of humankind. The most spectacular discovery came in 1974, when 52 fragments of a skeleton enabled the famous Lucy to be reconstructed. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/10

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region

Fasil Ghebbi functioned as the centre of the Ethiopian government until 1864.

Fasilides' Castle

Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure) is the remains of a fortress-city within GondarEthiopia. It was founded in the 17th and 18th centuries by Emperor Fasilides (Fasil) and was the home of Ethiopia's emperors. Its unique architecture shows diverse influences including Nubian styles.
The complex of buildings includes Fasilides' castle, Iyasu I's palace, Dawit III's Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Empress Mentewab's castle, a chancellery, library and three churches: Asasame Qeddus MikaelElfign Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam. - in: wikipedia

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo

This postcard shoes five Bulgarian rock monasteries, but only the first image is from the churches of Ivanovo. The others are not inscribed in the World Heritage list.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (top left corner)

The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo are a group of monolithic churcheschapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and completely different from other monastery complexes in Bulgaria, located near the village of Ivanovo, 20 km south of Rousse, on the high rocky banks of the Rusenski Lom, 32 m above the river. The complex is noted for its beautiful and well-preserved medieval frescoes. The churches are inside Rusenski Lom Nature Park.
The caves in the region had been inhabited by monks from the 1220s, when it was founded by the future Patriarch of Bulgaria Joachim I, to the 17th century, where they hewed cells, churches and chapels out of solid rock. - in: wikipedia

Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church

Of the three buildings listed in this site I only have the Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral
This postcard was sent by Lucy

Canterbury Cathedral in CanterburyKent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England.
Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt from 1070 to 1077. The east end was greatly enlarged at the beginning of the twelfth century, and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style following a fire in 1174, with significant eastward extensions to accommodate the flow of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket, the archbishop who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170. The Norman nave and transepts survived until the late fourteenth century, when they were demolished to make way for the present structures. - in: wikipedia

The three buildings listed in this site (in red what I have):

  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • St. Augustine's Abbey
  • St. Martin's Church

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

Medieval Monuments in Kosovo

There is an ongoing controversy over Kosovo's bid to join the UNESCO, which would result in this site being listed as part of Kosovo and not Serbia. I just hope that all the parts involved arrive to a peaceful agreement and the heritage is preserved.

Gračanica Monastery
This postcard was sent from Finland by Sini

Gračanica Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in Kosovo. It was built by the Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1321 on the ruins of a 6th-century basilica.
The Gračanica Monastery is one of King Milutin's last monumental endowments. The monastery is located in Gračanica, a Serbian enclave in the close vicinity of Lipljan, the old residence of bishops of Lipljan. - in: wikipedia

The four monuments (in red what I have):
  • Dečani Monastery
  • Patriarchate of Peć Monastery
  • Church of the Virgin of Leviša
  • Gračanica Monastery