Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine

Poland and Ukraine have great wooden churches. This site consists of 8 churches in each country

St. James the Less Tserkva in Powroznik

This postcard was sent by Ania

St. James Church is a Gothic, wooden church located in the village of Powroźnik, southern Poland. It dates from the seventeenth or eighteenth-century.

The tserkva in Powroźnik has existed since around 1600, but only a part of the former structure remains, arranged into the sacristy of the present tserkva. The architecture of the present tserkva was constructed between the seventeenth and eighteenth-century, with a major reconstruction in 1813. The tserkva was moved from its former location due to the danger posed by flooding, after which it was expanded. After Operation Vistula the tserkva was transformed to a Roman Catholic church. - in: wikipedia

St. Paraskevi Tserkva in Radruz

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St. Paraskevi Church in Radruż - a Gothic, wooden church located in the village of Radruż from the sixteenth-century, which together with different tserkvas is designated as part of the UNESCO Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region in Poland and Ukraine.

The tserkva is located on an oval hill, by the Radrużka stream, and together with the bell tower is surrounded by a wall (existent from 1825), with a fortification structure. The tserkva's structure is constructed out of a fir and oak framework. The tserkva was most likely funded by poseł to Sejm, and starosta Jan Płaza (died 1599). While being used for sacramental services, the tserkva was also used as a fortress against the invasions by the Tatars. - in: wikipedia

St Michael the Archangel Tserkva in Smolnik

This postcard was sent by Grzegon 

The first reference to the existence of an Eastern Orthodox Church tserkva in Smolnik comes from a register in 1589 of the Sanok Land. It is presumed that the wooden tserkva was built at the start of the village, in 1530. The tserkva was most likely destroyed by fire or flooding. The second Eastern Orthodox Church tserkva in the village was raised in 1602 (...). The tserkva burnt down in October 1672, most likely due to Tatar invasions. After 1672, another tserkva was raised in a different location to increase its defence from invasions. Since 1697, the Uniate treaty was enforced into the Smolnik parish. The fourth tserkva to be built in the village was completed in August 1, 1791. (...) The roof wood shingle was replaced with tin and the iconostasis renovated. The tserkva's affiliation was to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church until 1951 (when as part of the 1951 Polish–Soviet territorial exchange, Smolnik was returned to Poland and the populous of the area moved to the Soviet Union. Parts of the tserkva's interior was moved to Łańcut. In 1974, the tserkva was transferred to the Roman Catholic parish. The tserkva had undergone a major renovation between 2004 and 2005. - in: wikipedia

Tserkva of the Descent of the Holy Spirit 

This postcard was sent by Kseniya

Wooden Church of Descent of Holy Spirit was built in 1502 at the expense of potters in place of older wooden church of St. Boris and Gleb burnt by Tatars. In XVII century was created new two tier iconostasis. In 1620-1640 the interior was painted and in 1683 painter Ivan Rutkovych painted icon "Deesis".

In 1718 Wooden Church of Descent of Holy Spirit was restored by master Casimir Dominikovych. The next restoration carried out by the same master took place in 1736 and 1753. So was replaced foundations and floors above the altar, repaired shelter as well as western and southern doors.

The next restoration took place in 1831 then in 1903 and 1923 when all shingle roofs replaced with tin. In 1970-1972 restored to its original appearance by design of architect Bogdan Kindzelskyi and Ivan Mohytych. At the same time restorers Peter Voitko, Nicolay Slipchenko, Ruslan Yusym restored unique murals of XVII century. - in: https://ukraine-kiev-tour.com/potelych-sights-wooden-church-descent-holy-spirit.html

Tserkva of Saint George

This postcard with a huge stamp was sent by Olesya

The first mention of Wooden Church of Saint George originating in 1496. During Tatar attack in 1499 it burned down. According to some documents was rebuilt in 1525. During another attack of Tatars in 1624 burned again. In 1657 from Nadiyiv, Dolyna region was carried the old church and on base of existing materials set current one.

In 1678 Wooden Church of Saint George was rebuilt and it got three domes. Repaired in 1823, 1833 and the end of XIX century.

In the church survived iconostasis of 1659-1666 created by Stephen Medytskyi. The murals of the nave is made in last quarter of XVII century. Choirs painted on expense of Gregory Proskurskyi in 1691.

Chapel painted in 1711-1714 and babynets - in XVIII century.

In 1961 the church was closed and in 1974-1975 carried out the restoration of Wooden Church of Saint George by architects Ivan Mohytych and Bogdan Kindzelskyi, painters Peter Linynskyi, Yaroslav Movchan, Natasha Slipchenko and Galya Druziuk and same time established the church as a museum.

To the north-east of the church is a wooden bell tower of 1670. - in: https://ukraine-kiev-tour.com/drohobych-sights-wooden-church-saint-george.html

Tserkva of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael

This postcard was sent by Natalia

Wooden Church of Synaxis of Archangel Michael (1745)is one of the most interesting wooden churches of Boyko style. It is so perfectly placed on the slope so seems grown on its place.

Dominating central dome, small dome over altar and small rectangular tower over babynetz completes harmonious composition of Wooden Church of Synaxis of Archangel Michael.

Wooden Church of Synaxis of Archangel Michael was built by master Pavel Toniv of neighboring Bitlya village and master Ivan Tsyhanyn of Tikhiy village. Building works was finished June 11, 1745. It is said that the original church was built high on a mountainside but old people were hard walk up there and the church moved down the hill almost to the road. In the bishop's visitation in 1751 speaks of a new church in Uzhok that has two bells.

The interior of Wooden Church of Synaxis of Archangel Michael captures the contrast between dark low babynetz and open bright space of the central dome. - in: https://ukraine-kiev-tour.com/uzhok-wooden-church-synaxis-archangel-michael.html

The 16 Tserkvas: (in red the ones I already have):

Poland:

• Tserkva of St. Michael the Archangel, Brunary, Lesser Poland
• Tserkva of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chotyniec
• Tserkva of St. Paraskevia, Kwiatoń
• Virgin Mary's Care Tserkva, Owczary
• St. James the Less Tserkva, Powroźnik
• Tserkva of St. Paraskevia, Radruż
• St. Michael the Archangel Tserkva, Smolnik
• St. Michael the Archangel Tserkva, Turzańsk, Sanok County

Ukraine:

• Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Potelych, Zhovkva Raion
• Holy Trinity Church, Zhovkva
• St. George's Church, Drohobych
• St. Dmytro's Church, Matkiv
• Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Rohatyn
• The Church of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, Nyzhniy Verbizh, Zakarpattia
• St. Archangel Michael Church, Uzhok
• Ascension of Our Lord Church, Yasinia, Yasinia, Zakarpattia

City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications

Luxembourg might be one of the smallest countries of Europe but has one of the biggest fortresses of the old continent 

Fortifications of Luxembourg

This postcard arrived from Germany sent by Kerstin

The Fortress of Luxembourg refers to the former fortifications of Luxembourg City, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which were mostly dismantled in 1867. The fortress was of great strategic importance for the control of the Left Bank of the Rhine, the Low Countries, and the border area between France and Germany.

Fortifications of Luxembourg

This postcard was sent by Adam

The fortifications were built gradually over nine centuries, from soon after the city's foundation in the tenth century until 1867. By the end of the Renaissance, Luxembourg was already one of Europe's strongest fortifications, but it was the period of great construction in the 17th and 18th centuries that gave it its fearsome reputation. Due to its strategic location, the fortress became caught up in Europe-wide conflicts between the major powers such as the Habsburg–Valois Wars, the War of the Reunions or the French Revolutionary Wars, and it underwent changes in ownership, sieges, and major alterations, as each new occupier—the Burgundians, French, Austrian and Spanish Hapsburgs, and Prussians—made their own improvements and additions. - in: wikipedia

Grand Ducal Palace

This postcard was sent by Ania

As the town residence of the Grand Duke, the grand-ducal palace has unquestionably one of the most beautiful façades in the city (Flemish Renaissance, 16th century). Majestical interior and splendid above stairs (with light design by Ingo Maurer) can be visited exclusively during summer.  - in: http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/castle/palace-of-the-grand-dukes

Historic Town of Ouro Preto

Ouro Preto is probably the place of Brazil that I would most love to visit, much because of the concentration of baroque churches in this city.

Panoramic view of Ouro Preto

This postcard was sent by Gisely

 Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/124

Houses

This postcard was sent by Paulo

Ouro Preto, in the state of Minas Gerais, is one of Brazil's best-preserved colonial towns and a UNESCO world heritage site. Among other historical and colonial cities of Minas Gerais (Tiradentes, São João del Rei, Mariana and Diamantina), Ouro Preto is one of the most popular travelling destinations in Brazil. - in: http://wikitravel.org/en/Ouro_Preto

Churches of Nossa Sra. da Conceição, São Francisco de Assis and Nossa Sra. do Rosário

This postcard arrived from Russia sent by Yulia

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Immaculate Conception): This 1727 church is famous for its 8 lavishly decorated altars. The cemetery here has the grave of Aleijadinho, and the sacristy houses a museum dedicated to him.

Church of São Francisco de Assis (Saint Francis of Assisi): This unique rococo-style church, built in 1776, is arguably Aleijadinho's greatest work.

Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário: Built in 1785 with slave labor. Slaves were forbidden to worship at any other church. The church has a unique shape, with a contour formed by three convergent ovals. - in: http://wikitravel.org/en/Ouro_Preto

Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

This postcard was sent by Luzia

The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a Rococo Catholic church in Ouro Preto, Brazil.

Its erection began in 1766 after a design by the Brazilian architect and sculptor Antônio Francisco Lisboa, otherwise known as Aleijadinho. Lisboa designed both the structure of the church and the carved decorations on the interior, which were only finished towards the end of the 19th century. The circular bell towers and the oculus closed by a relief were original features in religious architecture of that time in Brazil. The façade has a single entrance door under a soapstone frontispiece under a relief depicting Saint Francis receiving the stigmata. The interior is richly decorated with golden woodwork, statues and paintings, and the wooden ceiling displays a painting by Manuel da Costa Ataíde. - in: wikipedia

Caliphate City of Medina Azahara

A few days ago, Tiago, a Portuguese postcrosser, visited Córdoba and also this recently inscribed Spanish UNESCO site and he sent me this great postcard

MedinaAzahara - Upper Basilical Hall

This postcard was sent from Portugal by Tiago

Medina Azahara is the ruins of a vast, fortified Moorish medieval palace-city built by Abd-ar-Rahman III (912–961), the first Umayyad Caliph of Córdoba, and located on the western outskirts of Córdoba, Spain. It was a medieval Moorish town and the de facto capital of al-Andalus, or Muslim Spain, as the heart of the administration and government was within its walls.

Built beginning in 936-940, the city included ceremonial reception halls, mosques, administrative and government offices, gardens, a mint, workshops, barracks, residences and baths. Water was supplied through aqueducts. - in: wikipedia

Kathmandu Valley

Unfortunately, Nepal was hit in 2015 by a strong earthquake that resulted in several damages in the Kathmandu Valley. Boudhanath was one of the many buildings afected. On November 2015 reconstruction began.

Boudhanath

This postcard was sent from Canada by Jason

Boudhanath is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. (...) Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.

The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area. - in: wikipedia

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

This postcard was sent from Australia by Helen

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom, 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) above sea level.

The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four distinct squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square), the whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Durbar square is surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several countries. - in: wikipedia

Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne

When I was in Portugal I had an Irish teacher who suggested me to go to work to Ireland. I didn't go and now I'm in Switzerland... 

Newgrange

This postcard was sent by Nora

Newgrange (Irish: Sí an Bhrú) is a prehistoric monument in County Meath, Ireland, located about one kilometre north of the River Boyne. It was built during the Neolithic period around 3000 BC to 2500 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The site consists of a large circular mound with a stone passageway and interior chambers. The mound has a retaining wall at the front and is ringed by engraved kerbstones. There is no agreement about what the site was used for, but it has been speculated that it had religious significance – it is aligned with the rising sun and its light floods the chamber on the winter solstice. 

Newgrange

This postcard was sent by Ania

It is the most famous monument within the Neolithic Brú na Bóinne complex, alongside the similar passage tomb mounds of Knowth and Dowth, and as such is a part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. Newgrange also shares many similarities with other Neolithic constructions in Western Europe, such as Maeshowe in Orkney, Scotland and the Bryn Celli Ddu in Wales. - in: wikipedia

Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte)

This UNESCO site is located in two different places in Australia.

Riversleigh Fossil Mammal Site

This postcard was sent by Penny

Fossils at Riversleigh are found in limestone by lime-rich freshwater pools, and in caves, when the ecosystem was evolving from rich rainforest to semi-arid grassland community. Some of the fossils at Riversleigh are 25 million years old. High concentrations of calcium carbonate has meant the fossils are extremely well preserved. The fossil collection reveals mammalian evolution across a time span of more than 20 million years. There are more than 200 individual locations where fossils have been found. The fossil record here is significant because it provides evidence on evolution and the distribution of species across Gondwana.

Thirty-five fossil bat species have been identified at the site, which is the richest in the world. Cave deposits have been particularly rich in bat species. - in: wikipedia

Naracoorte Caves

This postcard was sent by Xue

Naracoorte Caves National Park is a national park near Naracoorte in the Limestone Coast tourism region in the south-east of South Australia (Australia).

The limestone of the area was formed from coral and marine creatures 200 million years ago and again 20 million years ago when the land was below sea level. Ground water since then has dissolved and eroded some of the limestone, creating the caves. The caves, such as the Victoria Fossil Cave and Blanche Cave, are often not far below ground, and holes open up creating traps for the unwary. This is the source of the remarkable collection of fossils. Mammals and other land creatures have fallen into open caves and been unable to escape. The fossil record has been preserved in strata formed from eroded topsoil washed and blown in. In some places, the fossil-bearing silt is up to 20 metres thick. Some of these areas are being preserved for future research when better methods of dating and reconstructing fossil records may have been found. These fossil traps are especially significant for tracing Australian megafauna. - in: wikipedia