Poland - Ukraine - Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine

"Situated in the eastern fringe of eastern Europe, the transnational property numbers a selection of 16 tserkvas, churches, built of horizontal wooden logs between the 16th and 19th centuries by communities of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholic faiths. They represent the cultural expression of four ethnographic groups and the formal, decorative and technical characteristics they developed over time. The tserkvas bear testimony to a distinct building tradition rooted in Orthodox ecclesiastic design interwoven with elements of local tradition, and symbolic references to their communities’ cosmogony. The tserkvas are built on a tri-partite plan surmounted by open quadrilateral or octagonal domes and cupolas. They feature wooden bell towers, iconostasis screens, and interior polychrome decorations as well as churchyards, gatehouses and graveyards.

POLAND:
- Brunary Wyżne-Tserkva of Saint Michael the Archangel
- Chotyniec-Tserkva of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Kwiatoń-Tserkva of Saint Paraskeva (in my collection)
- Owczary-Tserkva of Our Lady’s Protection
- Powroźnik-Tserkva of Saint James the Less, the Apostle
- Radruż-Tserkva of Saint Paraskeva
- Smolnik-Tserkva of Saint Michael the Archangel (in my collection)
- Turzańsk-Tserkva of Saint Michael the Archangel (in my collection)

UKRAINE:
- Drohobych-Tserkva of Saint George (in my collection)
- Matkiv-Tserkva of the Synaxis of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Nyzhniy Verbizh-Tserkva of the Nativity of  Blessed Virgin Mary
- Potelych-Tserkva of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Rohatyn-Tserkva of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Uzhok-Tserkva of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael
- Yasynia-Tserkva of Our Lord’s Ascension
- Zhovkva-Tserkva of the Holy Trinity"

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - UKRAINE - Saint George

Saint George of Drohobych of Ukraine. Thanks to Olesya of Ukraine.

Postcard 2A - POLAND - Turzansk - Saint Michael

Saint Michael of Turzansk Tserkva of Poland. Thanks to Joanna of Poland.

Postcard 2B - POLAND - Smolnik - Saint Michael

Saint Michael of Smolnik n. Sanem. Thanks to Boguslaw of Poland.

Postcard 3 - POLAND - St. Paraskevi
St Paraskevi Church in Radruz, Poland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Sylvia of Poland.

Ukraine - The Historic Centre of Odesa

"The historic centre of Odesa is part of a port city located on the Ukrainian shores of the Black Sea. It stands on a shallow indentation of the seacoast about thirty kilometres north of the Dniester River estuary. The city was founded in 1794 by a strategic decision of the Empress Catherine II to build a warm-water port following the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish war of 1787-1792. The new city, built on the site of a Turkish fortress, was initially planned by a military engineer and then expanded further during the 19th century. Odesa owes its character and rapid development during the 19th century to the success of its port, the favourable policies of its governors, and its status as a free port city from 1819 to 1859. Trade attracted many diverse people who formed multi-ethnic and multicultural communities, making Odesa a cosmopolitan city. Its pace of development, the wealth it generated and its multiculturalism all influenced its architectural expression and the variety of styles that still remain in the urban landscape. It has also caused tensions that, beginning in 1821, triggered a series of violent events...."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site


Night views of Odessa, Ukraine (Ukraina).

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.

Ukraine - Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora

"The site features the remains of a city founded by Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BC on the northern shores of the Black Sea. It encompasses six component sites with urban remains and agricultural lands divided into several hundreds of chora, rectangular plots of equal size. The plots supported vineyards whose production was exported by the city which thrived until the 15th century. The site features several public building complexes and residential neighbourhoods, as well as early Christian monuments alongside remains from Stone and Bronze Age settlements; Roman and medieval tower fortifications and water supply systems; and exceptionally well-preserved examples of vineyard planting and dividing walls. In the 3rd century AD, the site was known as the most productive wine centre of the Black Sea and remained a hub of exchange between the Greek, Roman and Byzantine Empires and populations north of the Black Sea. It is an outstanding example of democratic land organization linked to an ancient polis, reflecting the city’s social organization."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Multi-view of Chersonesus with the Basilica on the right. Thanks to Sergii of Ukraine.

Postcard 2

The Antique Theatre of the ruins of the Ancient City of Khersoness. Thanks to Natalia of Ukraine.

Ukraine - L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre

"The city of L''viv, founded in the late Middle Ages, was a flourishing administrative, religious and commercial centre for several centuries. The medieval urban topography has been preserved virtually intact (in particular, there is evidence of the different ethnic communities who lived there), along with many fine Baroque and later buildings." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Kornyat Tower of Lviv, Ukraine. This is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three different stamps used. Thanks so much to Aleksandra of Ukraine.

Ukraine - Kiev: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

"Designed to rival Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, Kiev's Saint-Sophia Cathedral symbolizes the 'new Constantinople', capital of the Christian principality of Kiev, which was created in the 11th century in a region evangelized after the baptism of St Vladimir in 988. The spiritual and intellectual influence of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra contributed to the spread of Orthodox thought and the Orthodox faith in the Russian world from the 17th to the 19th century." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Church Fathers Row Mosaic, Saint Sophia Cathedral
Thanks to Alex of Ukraine.

Postcard 2 - Kiev Pechersk Lavra 

St. Trinity Gate Church (XII century) and Great Bell Tower (XVIII century), main entrance to the Lavra area, Kiev. Thanks to Michael of Luxembourg who was visiting Kiev, Ukraine.

Postcard 3 - Kiev Saint-Sophia Cathedral 

Kiev (Kyiv) National Sanctuary - Sophia Kyivska, Ukraine - Ukraina. Saint Sophia Cathedral symbolized the "new Constantinople" and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks Chris for sending me this wonderful card.

Postcard 4 - Kiev Saint-Sophia Cathedral

The ancient frescos and mosaics of St. Sophia Cathedral of Ukraine. Thanks so much to Marina for mailing another card - marking my 10th written stamped postcard sent from Ukraine. Another set of nice stamps used.

Ukraine - The Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans

"The Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans (Ukraine) represents a masterful synergy of architectural styles built by Czech architect Josef Hlavka from 1864 to 1882. The property, an outstanding example of 19th-century historicist architecture, also includes a seminary and monastery and is dominated by the domed, cruciform Seminary Church with a garden and park. The complex expresses architectural and cultural influences from the Byzantine period onward and embodies the powerful presence of the Orthodox Church during Habsburg rule, reflecting the Austro-Hungarian Empire policy of religious tolerance." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

The Palatial Compled of Residence of Bukovyna Metropolitans Central Building. It now houses the Department of Foreign Languages, Chernivtsi University. Thanks to Rin of Ukraine who graduated from this university.

Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine - Struve Geodetic Arc

"The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through 10 countries and over 2,820 km. These are points of a survey, carried out between 1816 and 1855 by the astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve, which represented the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian. This helped to establish the exact size and shape of the planet and marked an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. It is an extraordinary example of scientific collaboration among scientists from different countries, and of collaboration between monarchs for a scientific cause. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points. The listed site includes 34 of the original station points, with different markings, i.e. a drilled hole in rock, iron cross, cairns, or built obelisks." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

WANTED: I am looking for Latvia Struve Geodetic Arc postcard - anyone can help? Thanks.

Postcard 1 - SWEDEN
A multi-view postcard showing all of Sweden UNESCO World Heritage including Struve Geodetic Arc in the bottom middle picture. Thanks to Jeanette of Finland. Will be great to get a single view postcard in the future.

Postcard 2 - NORWAY - Hammerfest

Fuglenes, Hammerfest (1187-001) Struve Geodetic Arc  in Finnmark, Norway with aurora borealis in the sky. Thanks to Joey of Norway.

Postcard 3 - RUSSIA - Gogland Island

Hogland (1187-016), Z Gogland, Tochka Z, Kingisepp, Leningrad Oblast in Russia. A Russian Struve Geodetic Arc site. Thanks to Galina of Russia.

Postcard 4 - UKRAINE - Staraya Nekrasovka

Staraya Nekrasovka or Staro-Nekrassowka (1187-034), Odessa Region in Ukraine. Nice stamps of lighthouse used. Thanks to Veronika of Ukraine.

Postcard 5 - LITHUANIA

Struve Geodetic Arc of Lithuania. Thanks to Niina of Finland.

Postcard 6A - FINLAND - Oravivuori

Puolakka Oravivuori (1187-012) Korpilahti, Länsi-Suomen lääni in Finland. View of Oravivuori of Finland with commemorative stamp of Struve Geodetic Arc. Thanks to Heidi of Finland.

Postcard 6B - FINLAND - Alatornion Kirkko Church

Tornea Alatornion kirkko (1187-011) of Tornio, Lapin lääni, Finland. Struve Geodetic Arc goes through 10 European countries with 6 stations in Finland. This station of Alatornion Kirkko Church is one of them. View of the location of the church overlooking the river into Sweden. Nice stamps. Thanks to Sini of Finland.

Postcard 6C - FINLAND - Aavasaksa

Aavasaksa 66.23.52N, 23.12.31E, Finland with Struve Geodetic Arc map in Finland. Thanks to Dubbis of Finland.

Postcard 7A - ESTONIA - Stamp sheet showing map of Struve Geodetic Arc

Postcard of Tallinn, Estonia with stamp showing the map of Struve Geodetic Arc. Thanks to Heidi of Estonia.

Postcard 7B - ESTONIA

Dorpat Tartu Observatory (1187-019) View of Tartu Observatory. Nice stamps used. Thanks to Elina of Estonia.

Postcard 8A - BELARUS

Struve Geodetic Ac in Belarus. Thanks to Byasanich of Belarus.

Postcard 8B - BELARUS

Same postcard of Belarus. Thanks to Anna of Minsk, Belarus.

Postcard 9 - MOLDOVA

Punctul Geodezic Rudi is the only UNESCO World Heritage site of Moldova. Thanks to Katerina of Moldova.