Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores

I know Portugal quite well, the north better than the south, but I've never  been in any of the Portuguese islands. 

Cathedral of Angra

This postcard was sent by Martinha

Angra do Heroísmo, generally known as Angra, is a municipality and city on the island of Terceira in the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores.

Some claim that Angra was founded by Álvaro Martins, who sailed with Didrik Pining on his expedition to the New World, and with Bartolomeu Dias on his voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. Others contend that Angra was founded in 1450 or 1451 by Jácome de Bruges, a Fleming in the service of Prince Henry the Navigator, who recruited farmers, fishermen, and merchants in the Low Countries to colonize the Azores.

Misericordia Church

This postcard was sent by Zé "PilotOne" from the Azores Postcrossing meeting

Angra was hit by a major earthquake on 1 January 1980 that did considerable damage to the city's historic center and to many other locations on the island of Terceira. The Azores have experienced many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions since prehistoric times, but the 1980 event was probably the most serious since the eighteenth century. The damage in the city was repaired and rebuilt within four years. In 1983, the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - in: wikipedia

Medieval Town of Toruń

Toruń is the birthplace of Polish the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus

Medieval Town of Toruń

Torun owes its origins to the Teutonic Order, which built a castle there in the mid-13th century as a base for the conquest and evangelization of Prussia. It soon developed a commercial role as part of the Hanseatic League. In the Old and New Town, the many imposing public and private buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries (among them the house of Copernicus) are striking evidence of Torun's importance. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/835

Old Town Market and Old Town Hall

This postcard was sent by Bozena

The Medieval Town of Toruń is composed of three parts: the Toruń Old Town in the west, Toruń New Town in the east, and the Toruń Castle in the south-east.

The Old Town is laid out around the Old Town Market Place. Major buildings and monuments there include the Old Town Hall, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the remains of the old town wall. - in: wikipedia

Burgher's Manor

This postcard was sent by Igor

This building dates from the year 1489. It was erected for the patrician Brotherhood of Saint. George as his summer residence. The building probably used bricks from the castle of the Teutonic Knights destroyed by Toruń's burghers. In the 19th century, the manor was rebuilt, but despite this he retained his gothic character to a large extent. - in: http://visittorun.com/en/content/burghers-manor

University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia

When this site was inscribed I thought that only the university was part of it. After some research I realized that some other buildings are also part of the protected area. That means that I already visited a good part of this site, even if I have never been in the University building

Coimbra

This postcard was sent by Ana "Ninocas"

Situated on a hill overlooking the city, the University of Coimbra with its colleges grew and evolved over more than seven centuries within the old town. Notable university buildings include the 12th century Cathedral of Santa Cruz and a number of 16th century colleges,  the Royal Palace of Alcáçova, which has housed the University since 1537, the Joanine Library with its rich baroque decor, the 18th century Botanical Garden and University Press, as well as the large “University City” created during the 1940s. The University’s edifices became a reference in the development of other institutions of higher education in the Portuguese-speaking world where it also exerted a major influence on learning and literature. Coimbra offers an outstanding example of an integrated university city with a specific urban typology as well as its own ceremonial and cultural traditions that have been kept alive through the ages. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1387

University of Coimbra

This postcard was sent by Ana "Ninocas"

The University of Coimbra is a Portuguese public university in Coimbra, Portugal. Established in 1290 in Lisbon, it went through a number of relocations until it was moved permanently to its current city in 1537, being one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world, the oldest university of Portugal, and one of the country's largest higher education and research institutions. - in: wikipedia

Tower of the University

This postcard was sent by José "PilotOne"

The university harbours a huge central library (University of Coimbra General Library), botanical gardens (Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra), stadiums and other sports facilities (Estádio Universitário de Coimbra sports complex and Campo de Santa Cruz stadium), an astronomical observatory, a publishing house, a private chapel (São Miguel Chapel), a theatre (Teatro Académico de Gil Vicente), and many support facilities such as dining halls and studying rooms. 

University of Coimbra

This postcard was sent by Paulo Topa

In addition, the university manages several museums and other cultural organizations, including a science museum (Science Museum of the University of Coimbra), a museum of sacred art (Sacred Art Museum of the University of Coimbra), and an academic museum (Academic Museum of the University of Coimbra). - in: wikipedia

Old Cathedral of Coimbra

This postcard was sent by Martinha

The Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Portuguese: Sé Velha de Coimbra) is a Romanesque Roman Catholic building in Portugal. Construction of the Sé Velha began some time after the Battle of Ourique (1139), when Prince Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal and chose Coimbra as capital. The first Count of Coimbra, the Mozarab Sisnando Davides, is buried in the cathedral. - in: wikipedia

Monastery of Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Monastery (English: Monastery of the Holy Cross, Portuguese: Mosteiro de Santa Cruz), best known as Igreja (Church) de Santa Cruz, is a National Monument in Coimbra, Portugal. Because the first two kings of Portugal are buried in the church it was granted the status of National Pantheon. Founded in 1131 outside the protecting walls of Coimbra, the Santa Cruz Monastery was the most important monastic house during the early days of the Portuguese monarchy. St. Theotonius founded this community of canons regular and served as their first prior. The monastery and church were erected between 1132 and 1223. - in: wikipedia

Independence Hall

Says Kate, the sender of this first postcard, that this building is in the one hundred-dollar bills, but she learnt from the internet because she doesn't see them that often. How I understand her! 

Independence Hall

This postcard was sent by Kate

The Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution of the United States of America framed in this fine early 18th-century building in Philadelphia. These events, which took place respectively in 1776 and 1787, were conceived in a national context, but the universal principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these two documents have had a profound impact on lawmakers and political thinkers around the world. They became the models for similar charters of other nations, and may be considered to have heralded the modern era of government. Independence Hall was designed by attorney Andrew Hamilton in collaboration with master builder Edmund Woolley to house the Assembly of the Commonwealth (colony) of Pennsylvania. Begun in 1732 and finished in 1753, it is a dignified brick structure with a wooden steeple that once held the Liberty Bell. 

Independence Hall

This postcard was sent by Erin

The building has undergone many restorations, notably by architect John Haviland in the 1830s and under the direction of the National Park Service beginning in the 1950s, returning it to its appearance during the years when the new country’s Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and signed. In the Assembly Room, the momentous events that occurred there are explained and their international impact as well as the spread of democracy are discussed. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/78

Philadelphia

This postcard was sent by Kelly

Old City is a historic neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, in the area near the Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, Carpenters' Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites. - in: wikipedia

Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey

This wonderful park was created around the ruins of the Cistercian Fountains Abbey and Fountains Hall Castle

Water Garden with the Statue of Galen and the Temple of Piety

This postcard was sent from Spain by Patricia

The water garden at Studley Royal created by John Aislabie in 1718 is one of the best surviving examples of a Georgian water garden in England. It was expanded by his son, William who purchased the adjacent Fountains Estate. The garden's elegant ornamental lakes, canals, temples and cascades provide a succession of dramatic eye-catching vistas. It is also studded with a number of follies including a neo-Gothic castle and a palladian style banqueting house. - in: wikipedia

Fountains Abbey

This postcard was sent by Adam

Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. It is located approximately 3 miles (5 kilometres) south-west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, near to the village of Aldfield. Founded in 1132, the abbey operated for 407 years becoming one of the wealthiest monasteries in England until its dissolution in 1539 under the order of Henry VIII. - in: wikipedia

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)

If it's true that some of these buildings are very look alike it's also true that they are all very beautiful and impressive! And when the nature does its magic around them it's absolutely gorgeous!

Tō-ji Temple

This postcard was sent by Phoebe

Tō-ji (東寺 Tō-ji^?) (East Temple) is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Kyoto, Japan. It once had a partner,Sai-ji (West Temple) and, together, they stood alongside the Rashomon, gate to the Heian capital. It was formally known as Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji (教王護国寺 The Temple for the Defense of the Nation by Means of the King of Doctrines^?) which indicates that it previously functioned as a temple providing protection for the nation. 

Tō-ji was founded in the early Heian period. The temple dates from 796, two years after the capital moved to Heian-kyō. Together with its partner Sai-ji, and the temple Shingon-in (located in the Heian Palace), it was one of only three Buddhist temples allowed in the capital at the time, and is the only of the three to survive to the present.

The Five-story pagoda of Tō-ji stands 54.8 m high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. It dates from the Edo period, when it was rebuilt by order of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu. The pagoda has been, and continues to be, a symbol of Kyoto. Entrance into the pagoda itself is permitted only a few days a year. - in: wikipedia

Kiyomizu-dera

This postcard was sent by Jennifer

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺^?), officially Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺^?) is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera was founded in the early Heian period. The temple was founded in 778, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633, ordered by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. There is not a single nail used in the entire structure. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills.Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water. - in: wikipedia

Ninna-ji Temple

This postcard was sent by Ai

Ninna-ji (仁和寺 Ninna-ji^?) is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. Located in western Kyoto, Japan, it was founded in AD 888 by the retired Emperor Uda. It is part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ninna-ji was founded in the early Heian period. In 886, Emperor Kōkō ordered the construction of the Nishiyama Goganji Temple to bless the nation and propagate Buddhist teachings, but he did not live to see its completion. Emperor Uda saw the construction to its completion in 888 and named it "Ninna" after the regnal year of the late Emperor Kōkō's reign. From 888 to 1869 it was traditional for reigning Emperors to send a son to the temple to take over as head priest when a vacancy arose. - in: wikipedia

Byōdō-in

This postcard was sent by Phoebe

Byōdō-in (平等院^?) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, built in late Heian period. It is jointly a temple of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land) and Tendai-shū sects.

This temple was originally built in 998 in the Heian period as a rural villa of high-ranking courtier Minamoto no Shigenobu, Minister of the Left. The property was purchased from Minamoto no Shigenobu's wife after he died by Fujiwara no Michinaga, one of the most powerful members of the Fujiwara clan. The villa was made into a Buddhist temple by Fujiwara no Yorimichi in 1052. - in: wikipedia

Kinkaku-ji Temple

This postcard was sent by Juka

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺^?, lit. "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺^?, lit. "Deer Garden Temple"), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. 

Kinkaku-ji Temple

This postcard arrived through the official Postcrossing site

It is one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors annually. It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape, and it is one of 17 locations comprising the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites. - in: wikipedia

Nijō Castle

This postcard was sent by Claus

Nijō Castle (二条城 Nijō-jō^?) is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings (Kuruwa) of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens. The surface area of the castle is 275,000 square meters, of which 8000 square meters is occupied by buildings. - in: wikipedia

The 17 monuments (in red what I already have):

• Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine aka Kamigamo Shrine
• Kamomioya Shrine aka Shimogamo Shrine
• Kyōōgokoku-ji aka Tō-ji 
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Enryaku-ji
• Daigo-ji 
• Ninna-ji 
• Byōdō-in 
• Ujigami Shrine 
• Kōzan-ji 
• Saihō-ji aka Moss temple
• Tenryū-ji
• Rokuon-ji aka Temple of the Golden Pavilion
• Jishō-ji aka Temple of the Silver Pavilion
• Ryōan-ji (The Temple of the Peaceful Dragon)
• Nishi Hongan-ji
• Nijō Castle