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, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine 

Missing Countries:

- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria

- Czechia

- France

- North Macedonia

- Serbia
- 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 - Westlina 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.

Postcard 9 - ROMANIA - Codrul Secular Slatioara
Multi-view of Codrul Secula Slatioara - one of the ancient and primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe. A transnational UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Elena of Romania.

Postcard 10 - CROATIA - Velebit National Forest
Sjeverni Velebit -Hajdučki i Rožanski Kukovi is part of UNESCO Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests. Thanks to Nikola of Croatia.

Postcard 11 - BELGIUM - Sonian Forest
Gryspensdelle Forest-Sonian Forest in Belgium. A UNESCO World Heritage Site for Ancient and Primeval Beech Forest in Europe. Thanks to Gerda of Belgium.

Romania - Churches of Moldavia

"These eight churches of northern Moldavia, built from the late 15th century to the late 16th century, their external walls covered in fresco paintings, are masterpieces inspired by Byzantine art. They are authentic and particularly well preserved. Far from being mere wall decorations, the paintings form a systematic covering on all the facades and represent complete cycles of religious themes.Their exceptional composition, the elegance of the characters, and the harmony of the colors blend perfectly with the surrounding countryside. The interior and exterior walls of the Church of the Suceviţa Monastery are entirely decorated with mural paintings of the 16th century, and this church is the only one to show a representation of the ladder of St John Climacus.

- Church of the Annunciation of the Monastery of Moldovita
- Church of the Assumption of the Virgin of the former Monastery of Humor
- Church of the Resurrection of Suceviţa Monastery

Missing Churches in red.

- Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist of Arbore 
- Church of the Holy Rood of Patrauti
- Church of St Nicholas and the Catholicon of the Monastery of Probota
- Church of St George of Suceava
- Church of St George of the former Voronet Monastery

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Monastirea Moldovita - Romania. Thanks to Lenore of Germany.

Postcard 2
Humor Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Romania. Thanks to Tatiana of Romania.

Postcard 3
Sucevita Monastery of Romania is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Tatiana of Romania.

Romania - Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu

"Austere, contemplative, yet accessible, the monumental ensemble of Târgu Jiu was created in 1937-1938 by Constantin Brâncuși, an influential pioneer of abstract sculpture, to commemorate those who died defending the city during the First World War. Located in two parks connected by the narrow Avenue of Heroes, the property includes the monumental ensemble of sculptural installations and the pre-existing Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, located on the axis. The remarkable fusion of abstract sculpture, landscape architecture, engineering, and urban planning conceived by Constantin Brâncuși goes far beyond the local wartime episode to offer an original vision of the human condition."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Postcard 1
The Gate of Kiss in Targu Jiu, Romania - one of the important works of Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Thanks to Ovidiu of Romania.

Postcard 2
The Infinity Column, Targu Jiu, Romania. Thanks to Catalina of Romania.

Romania - Roșia Montană Mining Landscape

"Located in the Metalliferous range of the Apuseni Mountains in the west of Romania, Roșia Montană features the most significant, extensive and technically diverse underground Roman gold mining complex known at the time of inscription. As Alburnus Maior, it was the site of extensive gold-mining during the Roman Empire. Over 166 years starting in 106 CE, the Romans extracted some 500 tonnes of gold from the site developing highly engineered works, different types of galleries totalling 7km and a number of waterwheels in four underground localities chosen for their high-grade ore. Wax‐coated wooden writing tablets have provided detailed legal, socio‐economic, demographic and linguistic information about the Roman mining activities, not just in Alburnus Maior but also across the wider Dacian province. The site demonstrates a fusion of imported Roman mining technology with locally developed techniques, unknown elsewhere from such an early era. Mining on the site was also carried out, albeit to a lesser extent, between medieval times and the modern era. The later extractive works surround and cut across the Roman galleries. The ensemble is set in an agro-pastoral landscape which largely reflects the structures of the communities that supported the mines between the 18th and early 20th centuries. The site was also inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats posed by plans to resume mining which would damage a major part of the inscribed Mining Landscape."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

A multi-view of Rosia Montana Mining landscape. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Roxana of Bucharest, Romania.

Romania - Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains

"Built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule, these fortresses show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works, the nucleus of the Dacian Kingdom, were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Multi-view of Sarmizegetusa Regia, Romania. Thanks to Roxana of Romania.

Postcard 2

Sarmizegetusa regia (Gradistea Muncelului), Judetul Hunedoara, Romania. Thanks to Violeta of Romania.

Romania - Monastery of Horezu

"Founded in 1690 by Prince Constantine Brancovan, the monastery of Horezu, in Walachia, is a masterpiece of the 'Brancovan' style. It is known for its architectural purity and balance, the richness of its sculptural detail, the treatment of its religious compositions, its votive portraits and its painted decorative works. The school of mural and icon painting established at the monastery in the 18th century was famous throughout the Balkan region." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
The Horezu Monastery. Thanks to Ovidiu of Romania.

Postcard 2

Moanstirea Hurezi - Monastery of Horezu. Thanks to Jacek of Poland.

Romania - Historic Centre of Sighişoara

"Founded by German craftsmen and merchants known as the Saxons of Transylvania, Sighişoara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval town which played an important strategic and commercial role on the fringes of central Europe for several centuries." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Sighisoara. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 2

Multi-view of Sighisoara with amazingly beautiful matching Sighisoara UNESCO World Heritage stamps and a kingfisher stamp. Postmarked in Bucharest on August 19, 2010 and arrived in Penang on September 14, 2010. Thanks so much to Jean-Pierre of France






Postcard 3
Nice city view of Sighisoara, Romania - which has inspired Hollywood movie of Count Dracula - The Vampire. Beautiful stamp used was damaged by postal service but this wonderful card arrived in excellent condition. Thanks to Alexiatego of Romania.