Spain - Prehistoric Sites of Talayotic Menorca

"Located on the island of Menorca in the western Mediterranean Sea, these archaeological sites are situated in agro-pastoral landscapes. A testimony to the occupation of the island by prehistoric communities, these sites display a diversity of prehistoric settlements and burial places. The materials, forms and locations of structures dating from the Bronze Age (1600 BCE) to the Late Iron Age (123 BCE) show the evolution of a “cyclopean” architecture built with very large blocks of stone. Astronomical orientations and visual interconnections between prehistoric structures indicate networks with possible cosmological meanings."


Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site


Torralba, Menorca, Spain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Jordi of Spain.

Portugal - Historic Centre of Guimarães and Couros Zone

"The Historic Centre of Guimarães and Couros Zone is an extension of the intra muros area of the Historic Centre of Guimarães already inscribed on the World Heritage List. The extension includes two monastic complexes and an industrial area, the Couros Zone, which, like the local river, was named after the traditional craft of leather tanning. While the craft ceased to be practiced in the mid-20th century, tangible evidence, particularly of the 19th and early 20th centuries, persists in the form of tanneries, workers' houses and urban spaces. The extension to the already-inscribed property complements its testimony to a thousand years of Portuguese urban, architectural and societal developments." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
A city full of monument, museums and galleries, Guimaraes was where the first King of Portugal was born. Nice Jazz stamp with interesting perforation. Thanks so much of Elizabete of Lisbon.





Postcard 2
Statue of the First King of Portugal - King Alfonso I of Portugal (1136-1185), Guimariaes, Portugal. Guimariaes is a UNESCO World Heritage site> Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.


Postcard 3
Castle of Guimares, Guimares, northern Portugal. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Malta - Megalithic Temples of Malta

"Seven megalithic temples are found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each the result of an individual development. The two temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qin, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta'Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Ggantija Temples, Gozo
The Ggantija Temples of Gozo, Malta. Thanks to Nathalie for mailing this wonderful postcard from Malta.






Postcard 2 - Tarxien
Prehistoric Temples of Tarxien, Malta Island. Nice Malta stamps used. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.






Postcard 3A - Hagar Qim 
Hagar Qim is dedicated to a Phoenician diety. Postmarked in Malta on December 19, 2009 and arrived in Penang on January 11, 2010. Thanks to Martha of Malta.






Postcard 3B- Hagar Gim
Aerial view of Hagar Gim Temple. It was constructed during Megalith era using soft Globicerina Limestone and faces the sea and the tiny rock island of Filfla. With gigantic size megaliths, neat assembled and designed facades, seven obese statuettes of nude "Venus of Malta" were found here too. Thanks to Sini of Finland who visited Malta and sent these two wonderful Maltese postcards.




Postcard 4A - Mnajdra 
Aerial view of Mnajdra Temple dating from Copper Age (2800 BC) and is shrine of simplicity design to honor Mother Earth.





Postcard 4B - Mnajdra 
Mdajdra Temples 2700BC Copper Age. A UNESCO World Heritage site in Malta. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France who visited sunny Malta. Postmarked May 31, 2021 and arrived in Penang Island on July 9, 2021.








A wonderful envelope from Malta containing postmarked postcards of Malta temples - UNESCO World Heritage sites. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

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Azerbaijan - Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace

"The historic city of Sheki is located at the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and divided in two by the Gurjana River. While the older northern part is built on the mountain, its southern part extends into the river valley. Its historic centre, rebuilt after the destruction of an earlier town by mudflows in the 18th century, is characterized by a traditional architectural ensemble of houses with high gabled roofs. Located along important historic trade routes, the city's architecture is influenced by Safavid, Qadjar and Russian building traditions. The Khan Palace, in the northeast of the city, and a number of merchant houses, reflect the wealth generated by silkworm breeding and the trade in silk cocoons from the late 18th to the 19th centuries."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage


Interior of the Consultation Room in Shaki Palace of Shaki Khans. This palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Rauf of Azerbaijan.

Malta - City of Valletta

"The capital of Malta is inextricably linked to the history of the military and charitable Order of St John of Jerusalem. It was ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John. Valletta’s 320 monuments, all within an area of 55 ha, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage


Postcard 1
Auberge de Castille et Leon, Valletta - built in 1574 and now the office of Prime Minister. Nice matching stamp of the building. Thanks to Michael of Luxembourg.







Postcard 2 
Beautiful aerial view of Valletta - the capital of Malta showing Marsamxetto Harbour, Manoel Island and Sliema and Grand Harbour. Valletta is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Michael for this nice postcard.






Postcard 3
A slightly larger postcard of the City of Valletta - the capital of Malta. Malta is an insland country in the Mideterranean Sea. Thanks to Anne for sending this nice card.






Postcard 4
Aerial view of Valletta, Sliema and The Three Cities, Malta. Thanks to Gloria of USA who visited Malta.




Postcard 5
Streets of Valleta, Malta. Thanks to "Silvcy?" for mailing from Malta. Nice cancellation of Malta Post on August 31, 2019 and arrived in Penang on September 24, 2019.






Postcard 6
Aerial view of the walled fortress of historic Valetta - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

USA - Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

"This property is a series of eight monumental earthen enclosure complexes built between 2,000 and 1,600 years ago along the central tributaries of the Ohio River. They are the most representative surviving expressions of the Indigenous tradition now referred to as the Hopewell culture. Their scale and complexity are evidenced in precise geometric figures as well as hilltops sculpted to enclose vast, level plazas. There are alignments with the cycles of the Sun and the far more complex cycles of the Moon. These earthworks served as ceremonial centres and the sites have yielded finely crafted ritual objects fashioned from exotic raw materials obtained from distant places."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site


Postcard 1
Moon rising at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. Thanks to Debbie of USA.



Postcard 2
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks was built by American Indians 2000 years ago and has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Erin of Ohio, USA.

France - Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs

"The fortified medieval town of Provins is situated in the former territory of the powerful Counts of Champagne. It bears witness to early developments in the organization of international trading fairs and the wool industry. The urban structure of Provins, which was built specifically to host the fairs and related activities, has been well preserved." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Nice multi-view of Provins mailed from Provins with matching stamp. Thanks to YL.




Postcard 2
Provins postcard from Jean-Pierre of France.





Postcard 3
Another Provins postcard sent inside envelope from Jean-Pierre of France.








Postcard 4
Panaroma view of Provins with UNESCO World Heritage logo. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.




Postcard 5
Provins in Seine-et-Marne, France. Thankis to Anne of Germany.




Postcard 6
Provins with preserved medieval architecture is a UNESCEO World Heritage site in North Central France. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.