October - a new start

October is only 2 days old and already it has brought me nine cards.  How wonderful is that?

945 – Eva in Morocco - La Llotja de la Seda, Valencia, Spain – a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Built between 1482 and 1533, this group of buildings was originally used for trading in silk (hence its name, the Silk Exchange) and it has always been a centre for commerce. It is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. The grandiose Sala de Contratación (Contract or Trading Hall), in particular, illustrates the power and wealth of a major Mediterranean mercantile city in the 15th and 16th centuries.

946 – Eva in Morocco – The Alhambra Palace and Fortress, Granada, Spain – a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Rising above the modern lower town, the Alhambra and the Albaycín, situated on two adjacent hills, form the medieval part of Granada. To the east of the Alhambra fortress and residence are the magnificent gardens of the Generalife, the former rural residence of the emirs who ruled this part of Spain in the 13th and 14th centuries. The residential district of the Albaycín is a rich repository of Moorish vernacular architecture, into which the traditional Andalusian architecture blends harmoniously.

947 – Eva in Morocco – The Medina of Tétouan, Morocco – a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tétouan was of particular importance in the Islamic period, from the 8th century onwards, since it served as the main point of contact between Morocco and Andalusia. After the Reconquest, the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish. This is well illustrated by its art and architecture, which reveal clear Andalusian influence. Although one of the smallest of the Moroccan medinas, Tétouan is unquestionably the most complete and it has been largely untouched by subsequent outside influences.

948 – Eva in Morocco – The Tower of Babel by Otto Munch in Zurich Cathedral’s door.

The back of these four cards from Eva in Morocco formed a letter.  One of the nicest I have had in a long time!

949 – Carol from Washington but in England – St. Albans, England.

A pictorial plan of the medieval monastery.  Carol (from Washington) sent this while she and her husband Rob toured England.  Rob is English and visiting St Albans allowed him to explore some of his old haunts.   

I don't often get the chance to show a British stamp.  This one is part of a series of six Merchant Navy stamps recently issued by the Royal Mail.

950 – Susanne in Germany – Detail from Fray Jeronimo Perez by Francisco Zurbaran (1598-1664).  As you will know by now I love pictures of writing implements and hands writing.  This is one of the best I have received.

The back of this postcard had four stamps on it of historic postal uniforms from 1850 from different parts of Germany.  Aren’t they grand!!  I shall have to put a colour photocopy of these into my postal scrapbook.

 

951 – Santa in Latvia (LV-119434) – Treasures of Latvia

Men’s jewellery and weapons from the 5^th to the 14^th centuries.

 

952 – Amit in India – Mahabalipuram - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva.

Amit and I are swapping directly and this is my first postcard from India.  

  

I love these stamps.

 

953 – Riitta in Finland (FI-1879091) – Another super Inge Löök painting.