My UNESCO World Heritage Postcards

Nepal - Kathmandu Valley

"The cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley is illustrated by seven groups of monuments and buildings which display the full range of historic and artistic achievements for which the Kathmandu Valley is world famous. The seven include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan"
Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Wanted: Postcard of Changu Narayan - anyone can help - thanks.

Postcard 1A

Kathmandu Durbar Square. I visited this square some years ago. Thanks to Ashwin of Kathmandu, Nepal for mailing this postcard to me.

Postcard 1B - Kathmandu Durbar Square

I visited the amazing Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Postcard 2 - Patan Durbar Square

Palace Square of Patan, Nepal. I have visited Patan before - a short distance from Katmandu. Thanks to Heli of Kathmandu of Nepal for mailing this wonderful postcard. Thanks to Matthew of Malaysia for making this request for me.

Postcard 3 - Bhaktapur Square

Another town near Kathmandu that I visited.

Postcard 4 - Swayambhu Stupa

Swoyambhu is one of the biggest Buddhist stupa in the world.

Postcard 5 - Bauddhanath Stupa

Built in the 5th century and the largest stupa in the world. Thanks to Grete of United Kingdom.

Postcard 6 - Pshupatinath Hindu Temple

Multi-view showing teh Pashupatinath Hindu Temple in the middle of the postcard. I went to the entrance of this sacred Hindu Temple but did not enter as non-Hindus are not allowed in.

Germany - Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen

"The Town Hall and the statue of Roland on the marketplace of Bremen in north-west Germany are outstanding representations of civic autonomy and sovereignty, as these developed in the Holy Roman Empire in Europe. The old town hall was built in the Gothic style in the early 15th century, after Bremen joined the Hanseatic League. The building was renovated in the so-called Weser Renaissance style in the early 17th century. A new town hall was built next to the old one in the early 20th century as part of an ensemble that survived bombardment during the Second World War. The statue stands 5.5 m tall and dates back to 1404." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
The defiant statue of Roland with sword of justice and shield at the market place showing the independent spirit of the Hanseatic city of Bremen. Thanks to Juliane of Germany.

Postcard 2
Multi-view of Bremen showing the town hall and market place.

Postcard 3

Market Place of Bremen. Thanks to Rainer of Bremen, Germany.

Postcard 4

Multi-view of Bremen. Thanks Jorn of Bremen, Germany.

Postcard 5

Bremen by night. Thanks to Sylke of Bremen, Germany.

Postcard 6

Das Bremer Rathaus. Bremen City Hall. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France for mailing from Bremen, Germany.

Nepal - Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

"Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal. Thanks to Ashwin of Kathmandu, Nepal for mailing to me.

Postcard 2

Maya Devi Temple before restoration, Lumbini. Thanks to SK Ng of Malaysia who visited Lumbini.

Postcard 3

Lumbini, Birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal. Thanks to Ivan of Czech Republic.

Nepal - Royal Chitwan National Park

"At the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai' region, which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal. It has a particularly rich flora and fauna. One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Postcard of viewing rhinocerous from elephant rides in the Royal Chitwan National Park in the jungles of southern Nepal. I bought this postcard in Thailand. Thanks to Ashwin of Nepal for mailing it back to me from Nepal.

Postcard 2

Chitwan Royal Park. Thanks to Vesna of Slovenia.

Postcard 3

Rhinocerous in Chitwan, Nepal. I bought this postcard in Thailand.

Mexico - Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines

"Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato became the world's leading silver-extraction centre in the 18th century. This past can be seen in its 'subterranean streets' and the 'Boca del Inferno', a mineshaft that plunges a breathtaking 600 m. The town's fine Baroque and neoclassical buildings, resulting from the prosperity of the mines, have influenced buildings throughout central Mexico. The churches of La Compañía and La Valenciana are considered to be among the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America. Guanajuato was also witness to events which changed the history of the country." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Jardin de la Union, with Juarez Theater and San Diego Church, Guanajuato. Thanks to Carlos for mailing from Mexico with nice stamps.

Postcard 2

Basilica and University of Guanajuato. Thanks to David of USA.

Mexico - Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila

"The 34,658 ha site, between the foothills of the Tequila Volcano and the deep valley of the Rio Grande River, is part of an expansive landscape of blue agave, shaped by the culture of the plant used since the 16th century to produce tequila spirit and for at least 2,000 years to make fermented drinks and cloth. Within the landscape are working distilleries reflecting the growth in the international consumption of tequila in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the agave culture is seen as part of national identity. The area encloses a living, working landscape of blue agave fields and the urban settlements of Tequila, Arenal, and Amatitan with large distilleries where the agave ‘pineapple' is fermented and distilled. The property is also a testimony to the Teuchitlan cultures which shaped the Tequila area from AD 200-900, notably through the creation of terraces for agriculture, housing, temples, ceremonial mounds and ball courts." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
The town Tequila is located 25 miles from Guadalajara. An agave filed with traditional factory views. Thanks to Irma of Mexico

Postcard 2

Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. Thanks to Bryon of Seattle, USA who mailed this postcard from Jalisco, Mexico.

Mexico - Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara

"The Hospicio Cabañas was built at the beginning of the 19th century to provide care and shelter for the disadvantaged – orphans, old people, the handicapped and chronic invalids. This remarkable complex, which incorporates several unusual features designed specifically to meet the needs of its occupants, was unique for its time. It is also notable for the harmonious relationship between the open and built spaces, the simplicity of its design, and its size. In the early 20th century, the chapel was decorated with a superb series of murals, now considered some of the masterpieces of Mexican art. They are the work of José Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the period."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Hospicio Cabanas is now housing Institute Cultural Canabas. Thanks to YL for mailing this postcard from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Postcard 2

Day view. It is now Instituto Cultural Cabanas. Thanks to David of USA.

Postcard 3
Night view of the Cabanas which was built in Neoclassic style and inaugurated in 1810. Thanks to Liliana of USA.

Turkey - Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia

"In a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. Dwellings, troglodyte villages and underground towns – the remains of a traditional human habitat dating back to the 4th century – can also be seen there." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Multi-view of Goremme Village, Goreme - Cappadocia, Nevsehir, Turkey. Thanks to Ann of Florida.