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.

Canary Islands (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

Postcard 1
Roque Bentayga of Gran Canaria. Thanks to Javier of Spain. Received in February 2020.

Postcard 2
Site of the two caves carved into the volcanic rock "C6" of Risco Caido, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Adolfo of Canary Islands, Spain.

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.

Spain - Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences

"Located at the urban heart of Madrid, the 200-hectare cultural landscape evolved since the creation of the tree-lined Paseo del Prado avenue, a prototype of the Hispanic alameda, in the 16th century. The avenue features major fountains, notably the Fuente de Cibeles and the Fuente de Neptuno, and the Plaza de Cibeles, an iconic symbol of the city, surrounded by prestigious buildings. The site embodies a new idea of urban space and development from the enlightened absolutist period of the 18th century. Buildings dedicated to the arts and sciences join others in the site that are devoted to industry, healthcare and research. Collectively, they illustrate the aspiration for a utopian society during the height of the Spanish Empire. The 120-hectare Jardines del Buen Retiro (Garden of Pleasant Retreat), a remnant of the 17th-century Buen Retiro Palace, constitutes the largest part of the property displaying different gardening styles from the 19th century to the present. The site also houses the terraced Royal Botanical Garden and the largely residential neighbourhood of Barrio Jerónimos with its rich variety of 19th- and 20th-century buildings that include cultural venues."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage


Prado Museum of Madrid, Spain that has famous painting collection of Goya and Velazquez. Thanks to Aurora of Spain. Gracias.

Spain - Route of Santiago de Compostela

"Santiago de Compostela was proclaimed the first European Cultural itinerary by the Council of Europe in 1987. This route from the French-Spanish border was – and still is – taken by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Some 1,800 buildings along the route, both religious and secular, are of great historic interest. The route played a fundamental role in encouraging cultural exchanges between the Iberian peninsula and the rest of Europe during the Middle Ages. It remains a testimony to the power of the Christian faith among people of all social classes and from all over Europe." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Multi-view and map of pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Thanks to Sonia of Spain.



Postcard 2
Spain - Camino De Santiago pilgrimage map. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Patricia of Spain. Postmarked October 7, 2020 and arrived in Penang island on Nov 23, 2020. A nice matching stamp of Camino de Santiago used.

Spain - Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture

"Ibiza provides an excellent example of the interaction between the marine and coastal ecosystems. The dense prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass), an important endemic species found only in the Mediterranean basin, contain and support a diversity of marine life. Ibiza preserves considerable evidence of its long history. The archaeological sites at Sa Caleta (settlement) and Puig des Molins (necropolis) testify to the important role played by the island in the Mediterranean economy in protohistory, particularly during the Phoenician-Carthaginian period. The fortified Upper Town (Alta Vila) is an outstanding example of Renaissance military architecture; it had a profound influence on the development of fortifications in the Spanish settlements of the New World." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage


Postcard 1
Multi-view of Ibiza. Thanks to Jordi of Spain. Mailed from Barcelona.

Postcard 2
Dalt Vila y port d'Elvissa of Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain. Thanks to Sabine for mailing from Ibiza, Spain. Arrived in Penang on September 24, 2019.

Spain - Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias

"In the 9th century the flame of Christianity was kept alive in the Iberian peninsula in the tiny Kingdom of the Asturias. Here an innovative pre-Romanesque architectural style was created that was to play a significant role in the development of the religious architecture of the peninsula. Its highest achievements can be seen in the churches of Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, Santa Cristina de Lena, the Cámara Santa and San Julián de los Prados, in and around the ancient capital city of Oviedo. Associated with them is the remarkable contemporary hydraulic engineering structure known as La Foncalada." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 
Camara Santa (not visible in the postcard) is located next to the Oviedo Cathedral and statue of "La Regenta" of Oviedo, Austurias. The Oviedo Cathedral is in the buffer zone of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Lucia from Oviedo.





Postcard 2 - Monuments of Asturias
Santa Maria del Naranco on the top right view of the postcard is one of the pre-Romanesque period monuments of this World Heritage site. Received this postcard of Asturias, sent inside an envelope from Spain.

Spain - Palmeral of Elche

"The Palmeral of Elche, a landscape of groves of date palms, was formally laid out, with elaborate irrigation systems, at the time the Muslim city of Elche was erected, towards the end of the tenth century A.C., when much of the Iberian peninsula was Arab. The Palmeral is an oasis, a system for agrarian production in arid areas. It is also a unique example of Arab agricultural practices on the European continent. Cultivation of date palms in Elche is known at least since the Iberian times, dating around the fifth century B.C." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Huerta del Cura, Elche - Costa Blanca, Spain. Thanks to Linda of USA.

Postcard 2

Multi-view of Elche. Thanks to Boris of Spain. Received in May 2019.

Spain - Caliphate City of Medina Azahara

"The Caliphate city of Medina Azahara is an archaeological site of a city built in the mid-10th century CE by the Umayyad dynasty as the seat of the Caliphate of Cordoba. After prospering for several years, it was laid to waste during the civil war that put an end to the Caliphate in 1009-10. The remains of the city were forgotten for almost 1,000 years until their rediscovery in the early 20th century. This complete urban ensemble features infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water systems, buildings, decorative elements and everyday objects. It provides in-depth knowledge of the now vanished Western Islamic civilization of Al-Andalus, at the height of its splendour." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Aerial view of the ruins of Medina Azahara. Thanks to Jordi of Spain.

Postcard 2

Medina Azahara is 8 km from Cordoba. Thanks to Jorge of Cordoba, Spain. Received in July 2018.

Spain - Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana

"The Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana located on a sheer-sided mountain range parallel to the north-western coast of the island of Mallorca. Millennia of agriculture in an environment with scarce resources has transformed the terrain and displays an articulated network of devices for the management of water revolving around farming units of feudal origins. The landscape is marked by agricultural terraces and inter-connected water works - including water mills - as well as dry stone constructions and farms." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
View of Serra de Tramuntana from Soller town in Mallorca. Thanks to Belen of Spain.

Postcard 2

Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Spain. Thanks to Eileen of UK who visited Mallorca, Spain.

Spain - Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida

"The colony of Augusta Emerita, which became present-day Mérida in Estremadura, was founded in 25 B.C. at the end of the Spanish Campaign and was the capital of Lusitania. The well-preserved remains of the old city include, in particular, a large bridge over the Guadiana, an amphitheatre, a theatre, a vast circus and an exceptional water-supply system. It is an excellent example of a provincial Roman capital during the empire and in the years afterwards." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Aerial view of theatre and Roman Antitheatre of Merida. It was missent to Thailand and hence its late arrival. Thanks to Belen of Spain.

Postcard 2

Diosa Ceresm, Roman Theatre of Merida, Spain. Thanks to Violet of Germany.