Albania - Austria - Belgium - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria - Croatia - Czechia - France - Germany - Italy - North Macedonia - Poland - Romania - Serbia - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Switzerland - Ukraine : 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.

The extension of the transnational World Heritage serial site of Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe by ten European countries adds to the outstanding universal value and integrity of the property, which now comprises 94 component parts across 18 countries. The extended property represents an outstanding example of relatively undisturbed, complex temperate forests and exhibit a wide spectrum of comprehensive ecological patterns and processes of pure and mixed stands of European beech across a variety of environmental conditions"

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Have collected - Albania, Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine 

Missing Countries:
- Belgium (Sonian Forests)

- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia

- Czechia

- France

- North Macedonia

- Romania

- Slovenia

- Switzerland

Postcard 1 - Albania

Gashi River of Valbone, Albania. Thanks to Boris of Spain who visited Albania and mailed this postcard from Spain with additional Albania stamp.

Postcard 2 - AUSTRIA

Wildnisgebiet Durrenstein, untouched forest of endangered species in eastern Austria. Thanks to Patrik of Estonia.

Postcard 3A - GERMANY - Edersee National Park

Aerial view of the Edersee - old beech forests. Thanks to Marcel of Germany.

Postcard 3B - GERMANY - Jasmund National Park

Jasmund National Park, Rugen Island, Germany. Thanks to Corinna of Germanay.

Postcard 4A - Italy

Foresta Umbra is the Italian site for this European transboundary UNESCO World Heritage of Primeval Beech Forests. Thanks to Irene of Genoa, Italy.

Postcard 4B - Italy

Another different view of Foresta Umbra. Thanks again to Irene of Genoa, Italy.

Postcard 5A - SLOVAKIA - UKRAINE

Primeval Beech Forests of Slovakia and Ukraine. Thanks to Inigo of Spain.

Postcard 5B - SLOVAKIA

'Karpatske Bukove Lesy - Primevel Beech Forests of Caparthians. Thanks to Lubo of Slovakia.

Postcard 6 - SPAIN - Posada De Valdeon Leon

Beech forests of Posada de Valdeon, Leon, Spain. Thanks to Javier of Spain.

Postcard 7 - UKRAINE - Primeval Beech Forest
The Carpathian mountain forests of Ukraine. Thanks to Galyna of Ukraine.

Postcard 8 - POLAND - Wetlina Beech Forest
Wetlina, Poland has the ancient beech forest that is insribed as UNESCO World Heritage. Thanks to Bodexs of Poland. Arrived in Penang on October 28, 2021.

Albania - Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra

"Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. Located in central Albania, Berat bears witness to the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities down the centuries. It features a castle, locally known as the Kala, most of which was built in the 13th century, although its origins date back to the 4th century BC. The citadel area numbers many Byzantine churches, mainly from the 13th century, as well as several mosques built under the Ottoman era which began in 1417. Gjirokastra, in the Drinos river valley in southern Albania, features a series of outstanding two-story houses which were developed in the 17th century. The town also retains a bazaar, an 18th-century mosque and two churches of the same period." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A- Berat
Pamje nga Berati - View from Berati - a UNESCO World Heritage site in Albania -Shqiperia. Thanks to Lilia of Bulgaria who was visiting.

Postcard 1B - Berat

Lagjia Mangalem, Berat, Albania. Thanks to Luca of Italy.

Postcard 2A - Gjirokastra

Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage in Albania. Nice Albania stamps used including a Gijorkastra Museum and UNESCO stamp. Postcard written on September 2, 2011 in Tirana, Albania and arrived in Penang on September 15, 2011. Thanks to Lilia of Bulgaria who was visiting.

Postcard 2B - Gjirokastra

The Zekat's House, Gjirokastra (1830-1870), Shqiperia - Albania. Thanks to Lucca of Italy.

Postcard 2C - Gjirokastra

Street view of Gjirokastra, Albania. Received in September 2018. Thanks to Vera of Australia who mailed from Tirana, Albania.

Albania - Butrint

"Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
An awesome aerial view of Butrinti - a UNESCO World Heritage site in Albania. Mailed from Saranda on September 3, 2011 and arrived in Penang on September 20, 2011. Thanks to Lilia of Bulgaria.

Postcard 2

View of ancient town of Butrint, Albania. Thanks to Wim.