My UNESCO World Heritage Postcards

Australia - Greater Blue Mountains Area

"The Greater Blue Mountains Area consists of 1.03 million ha of sandstone plateaux, escarpments and gorges dominated by temperate eucalypt forest. The site, comprised of eight protected areas, is noted for its representation of the evolutionary adaptation and diversification of the eucalypts in post-Gondwana isolation on the Australian continent. Ninety-one eucalypt taxa occur within the Greater Blue Mountains Area which is also outstanding for its exceptional expression of the structural and ecological diversity of the eucalypts associated with its wide range of habitats. The site provides significant representation of Australia's biodiversity with ten percent of the vascular flora as well as significant numbers of rare or threatened species, including endemic and evolutionary relict species, such as the Wollemi pine, which have persisted in highly-restricted microsites."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Three Sisters of Blue Mountains with the Scenic Skyway. The Blue Mountains is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to SM who went there on a day tour for this nice card.

Postcard 2

Multi-view of Greater Blue Mountains Area. Thanks to SP for mailing from Blue Mountains, Australia.

Postcard 3

Three Sisters of Blue Mountains. Thanks to Denny of Australia. Received in March 2019.

Postcard 4

Echo Point and Three Sisters in Blue Mountains, New South Wales of Australia. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France. Postmarked GPO Sydney Mar 9, 2020 and arrived in Penang Island on April 2, 2020 despite current lockdown due to Covid-19.

Poland - Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park

"Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is a breathtaking cultural landscape of great spiritual significance. Its natural setting – in which a series of symbolic places of worship relating to the Passion of Jesus Christ and the life of the Virgin Mary was laid out at the beginning of the 17th century – has remained virtually unchanged. It is still today a place of pilgrimage."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Thanks so much to Andrzej of Poland for this postcard.

Postcard 2

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in Mannerist architectural style. Thanks to Kesie of Poland. Postmarked March 4, 2020 and arrived in Penang on March 19, 2020.

Pakistan - Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore

"These are two masterpieces from the time of the brilliant Mughal civilization, which reached its height during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan. The fort contains marble palaces and mosques decorated with mosaics and gilt. The elegance of these splendid gardens, built near the city of Lahore on three terraces with lodges, waterfalls and large ornamental ponds, is unequalled."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Shalamar Gardens
Shalamar Garden of Labore, Pakistan. Thanks to Patrick of Pakistan.

Postcard 2 - Lahore Fort

Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort. Thanks to Julie of USA.

Postcard 3 - Naulakha - Lahore Fort

The marble Naulakna pavillion at Lahore Fort. Thanks to Gert of Sweden who visited Pakistan. Received in March 2020.

Saudi Arabia - Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih)

"The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr bears a unique testimony to Nabataean civilization. With its 111 monumental tombs, 94 of which are decorated, and water wells, the site is an outstanding example of the Nabataeans’ architectural accomplishment and hydraulic expertise.”

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Mada'in Saleh, also called Al-Hijr or Hegra is a pre-Islamic archaeological site located in the Al-Ula sector, within the Al Madinah Region of Saudi Arabia. This is a hotel ad card of Arac Hotel Al-Ula showing multi-views of Mada'in Saleh. Thanks to Katja of Italy.

Postcard 2

Another small size postcard - showing Madain Salih - a UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to Gert of Sweden for mailing while visiting Saudi Arabia. Received in March 2020.

Saudi Arabia - Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah

"Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah (Saudi Arabia) is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. From the 7th century A.D. it was established as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods to Mecca. It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca who arrived by sea. These twin roles saw the city develop into a thriving multicultural centre, characterized by a distinctive architectural tradition, including tower houses built in the late 19th century by the city’s mercantile elites, and combining Red Sea coastal coral building traditions with influences and crafts from along the trade routes.."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
House of Nasif in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This is my 10th written stamped postcard mailed from Saudi Arabia. Thanks so much to Ahmed of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Postcard 2

A small size postcard of Jeddah - a UNESCO World Heritage site. No cancellation on stamp. Thanks to Gert of Sweden for mailing this nice postcard from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Received in March, 2020.

India - Historic City of Ahmadabad

"The walled city of Ahmadabad, founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15th century, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods. The urban fabric is made up of densely-packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras) with characteristic features such as bird feeders, public wells and religious institutions. The city continued to flourish as the capital of the State of Gujarat for six centuries, up to the present."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Entrance of Bhadra Fort of Historic City of Ahmadabad. Thanks to Srujan of India.

Postcard 2

Sidi Bashir Mosque was located in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Due to its unique construction, the minarates of mosque are also called Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets. Thanks to Bhat of India.

Postcard 3 - Heritage City of Ahmedabad

Jhulta Minara - "Shaking Minarets". Thanks to Akhil of India. Received on February 25, 2020.

Spain - Risco Caido and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape

"Located in a vast mountainous area in the centre of Gran Canaria, Risco Caído comprises cliffs, ravines and volcanic formations in a landscape of rich biodiversity. The landscape includes a large number of troglodyte settlements — habitats, granaries and cisterns — whose age is proof of the presence of a pre-Hispanic culture on the island, which has evolved in isolation, from the arrival of North African Berbers, around the beginning of our era, until the first Spanish settlers in the 15th century. The troglodyte complex also includes cult cavities and two sacred temples, or almogarenes — Risco Caído and Roque Bentayga — where seasonal ceremonies were held. These temples are thought to be linked to a possible cult of the stars and “Mother Earth.”

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Roque Bentayga of Gran Canaria. Thanks to Javier of Spain. Received in February 2020.

Australia - Australian Convict Sites

"The property includes a selection of 11 penal sites, among the thousands established by the British Empire on Australian soil in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are located on the fertile coastal strip from which the Aboriginal peoples were then forced back, mainly around Sydney and in Tasmania, as well as on Norfolk Island and in Fremantle. They housed tens of thousands of men, women and children condemned by British justice to transportation to the convict colonies. Each of the sites had a specific purpose, in terms both of punitive imprisonment and of rehabilitation through forced labour to help build the colony. The property presents the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts."

1306-001 - Kingston and Arthur`s Vale Historic Area “KAVHA” - Norfolk Island (collected in bold)
1306-002 - Old Government House and Domain “Old Government House” - Parramatta, New South Wales
1306-003 - Hyde Park Barracks - Sydney
1306-004 - Brickendon and Woolmers Estates “Brickendon- Woolmers” - Longford, Tasmania (missing in italics)
1306-005 - Darlington Probation Station “Darlington”
1306-006 - Old Great North Road - Sydney
1306-007 - Cascades Female Factory “Cascades” - Hobart, Tasmania
1306-008 - Port Arthur Historic Site “Port Arthur” - Tasmania
1306-009 - Coal Mines Historic Site “Coal Mines” - Tasmania
1306-010 - Cockatoo Island Convict Site “Cockatoo Island” - Sydney
1306-011 - Fremantle Prison - Fremantle, Western Australia

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A - Norfolk Island
Maxicard of Australia Post. Thanks to Denny of Australia.

Postcard 1B - Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area, Norfolk Island

Kingston from QE Lookout, Norfolk Island. Kingston is the capital of Australia South Pacific Territory of Norfolk Island. Thanks to Azzi of Australia who visited Norfolk Island.

Postcard 2 - Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney (1306-003)

Thanks to Sharon of Australia.

Postcard 3 - Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbor (1306-010)

Thanks to Sharon of Australia.

Postcard 4 - Port Arthur, Tasmania (1306-08)

Port Arthur, Tasmania - The Penetentiary, Guard Tower, The Asylum, Church ruins at Port Arthur. Thanks to Kimberle of Tasmania, Australia.

Postcard 5 - Freemantle Prison, Western Australia (1306-011)

Freemantle Prison is the largest convict structure in Western Australia. After 140 years of operation, it was decommisioned in 1991. Thanks to Heather of Australia.

Postcard 6 - Old Government House - Parramatta Park

Another site - Old Government House - Parramatta Park in New South Wales, Australia. Thanks so much to Castro for mailing from Australia. Received in February 2020.

Germany - Slovakia - Ukraine - Albania - Austria - Belgium - Bulgaria - Croatia - Italy - Romania - Slovenia - Spain: Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

"This transboundary property stretches over 12 countries. Since the end of the last Ice Age, European Beech spread from a few isolated refuge areas in the Alps, Carpathians, Dinarides, Mediterranean and Pyrenees over a short period of a few thousand years in a process that is still ongoing. The successful expansion across a whole continent is related to the tree’s adaptability and tolerance of different climatic, geographical and physical conditions."

Have collected - Ukraine, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Spain
Missing 7 other countries:
- Albania (Lumi i gashit, Rrajca)
- Belgium (Sonian Forests)
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Romania
- Slovenia

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - UKRAINE - Primeval Beech Forest
The Carpathian mountain forests of Ukraine. Thanks to Galyna of Ukraine.