Bill Medcalf - American Pinup
Sent by Leisa from Marshall in Texas, USA.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Germany - Bavaria - Dießen am Ammersee
Dießen am Ammersee
Sent by Mara from Bavaria, Germany.
Dießen am Ammersee (German pronunciation: [ˈdiːsn̩ ʔam ˈʔamɐˌzeː], lit. 'Dießen on the Ammersee'; Southern Bavarian: Diaßn am Ammasä) is a municipality in the district of Landsberg in Bavaria in Germany. It is located on the shores of the Ammersee.
Situated in the Bavarian Alpine Foreland the town stretches from the shores of the Ammersee to the forested morainic hills of the Saale and Würm glaciation.
The town area consists of the market town of Dießen (with St. Georgen, Wengen, Ziegelstadel, Bischofsried and Seehof) and the former independent boroughs of Rieden (with Riederau, Bierdorf, Lachen, St. Alban and Romenthal), Dettenschwang (with Oberhausen, Unterhausen, Wolfgrub and Abtsried), Dettenhofen (with Pitzeshofen, Engenried, Hübschenried and Ummenhausen) and Obermühlhausen (with Oberbeuern, Unterbeuern and Schlöglhof) (read more).
USA - Colorado - Coors® Brewing Company
Coors® Brewing Company
Golden, Colorado
A summer view of Golden, Colorado, from Lookout Mountain, Coors Brewing Company, established in 1893, is the world's largest single-site brewery. For a free Coors and Company merchandise catalog, call 1-800-443-8242 or visit website at www.coorsandco.com
Sent by Maria from New Jersey, USA.
The Coors Brewing Company is an American brewery and beer company based in Golden, Colorado. Founded in 1873 by Adolph Coors and Jacob Schueler, it is a subsidiary of Molson Coors. The first Coors brewery in Golden is the largest single brewery operating in the world.
In 1873, German immigrants Adolph Coors and Jacob Schueler from Prussia immigrated to the United States and established a brewery in what was then Golden City, Colorado Territory (now Golden, Colorado), after buying a recipe for a Pilsner-style beer from a Czech immigrant, William Silhan. Coors invested $2,000 in the operation, and Schueler invested $18,000 (read more).
China - Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
China's World Heritage List
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
Sent by Mikaela from Zhengzhou, China.
The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout and that of its individual buildings, it symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and God's world – which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship.
The Temple of Heaven is an axial arrangement of Circular Mound Altar to the south open to the sky with the conically roofed Imperial Vault of Heaven immediately to its north. This is linked by a raised sacred way to the circular, three-tiered, conically roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests further to the north. Here at these places the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties as interlocutors between humankind and the celestial realm offered sacrifice to heaven and prayed for bumper harvests. To the west is the Hall of Abstinence where the emperor fasted after making sacrifice. The whole is surrounded by a double-walled, pine-treed enclosure. Between the inner and outer walls to the west are the Divine Music Administration hall and the building that was the Stables for Sacrificial Animals. Within the complex there are a total of 92 ancient buildings with 600 rooms. It is the most complete existing imperial sacrificial building complex in China and the world's largest existing building complex for offering sacrifice to heaven (read more).
USA - Utah - Park City
PARK CITY, UTAH
Located east of Salt Lake City, Park City is at an elevation of 6,720 feet above sea level. With temperatures ranging in the nid-80's during the summer and fabulous skiing during the winter, it's not a surprise that over 7,000 people call Park City home.
Sent by Dawn from Salt Lake City in Utah, USA.
Park City is a city in Utah, United States. Most of the city is within Summit County, with some portions extending into Wasatch County. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The population was 8,396 at the 2020 census, and on average, the tourist population greatly exceeds the number of permanent residents. The city is 32 miles (51 km) southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and 20 miles (32 km) from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80.
After a population decline following the shutdown of the area's mining industry, the city rebounded during the 1980s and 1990s through an expansion of its tourism business. According to 2021 data, the city brought in a yearly average of $529.8 million to the Utah economy as a tourist hot spot, $80 million of which was attributed to the Sundance Film Festival. The city has two major ski resorts: Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort (combined with Canyons Village at Park City) and one minor resort: Woodward Park City (an action sports training and fun center). Both Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resorts were the major locations for ski and snowboarding events at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and are expected to reprise these roles for the 2034 Winter Olympics. Although they receive less snow and have a shorter ski season than do their counterparts in Salt Lake County, such as Snowbird resort, they are much easier to access.
In 2015, Park City Ski Resort and Canyons resorts merged, creating the largest ski area in the U.S. In all, the resort boasts 17 slopes, 14 bowls, 300 trails and 22 miles (35 km) of lifts.
The city was the original location of the United States' largest independent film festival, the Sundance Film Festival; home of the United States Ski Team; training center for members of the Australian Freestyle Ski Team; the largest collection of factory outlet stores in northern Utah; the 2002 Olympic bobsled/skeleton/luge track at the Utah Olympic Park; and golf courses. Some scenes from the 1994 film Dumb and Dumber were shot in the city. Outdoor-oriented businesses such as backcountry.com, Rossignol USA, and Skullcandy have their headquarters in Park City. The city has many retailers, clubs, bars, and restaurants, and has nearby reservoirs, hot springs, forests, and hiking and biking trails.
In the summertime, many valley residents of the Wasatch Front visit the town to escape high temperatures. Park City is usually cooler than Salt Lake City as it lies mostly higher than 7,000 feet (2,100 m) above sea level, while Salt Lake City is situated at an elevation of about 4,300 feet (1,300 m) (read more).
USA - Maine - Pine Tree State
MAINE : Pine Tree State.
Sent by Paige from Maine, USA.
Maine is called the "Pine Tree State" because of its extensive forests, which are dominated by pine trees. The state has the highest percentage of forest cover in the U.S., with over 80% of its total area being forested, and the white pine in particular played a significant role in its history, industry, and even its colonial-era flag.
Approximately 90% of Maine's land is covered by forests, much of which is composed of pine. The white pine was a particularly important resource historically.
The pine tree was a vital part of the state's economy and early American development, as tall white pines were prized for shipbuilding, especially as masts for warships.
The white pine is central to Maine's identity and is featured on the state's official floral emblem, the pine cone and tassel.
India - Tamil Nadu - Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tiruchirappalli.
A famous church constructed during 1895-1903, the main tower of which is 220 feet in height and small tower is 120 feet in height, is an important landmark of the city.
Sent by kapish from Tamil Nadu, India.
The Our Lady of Lourdes Church is located in the city of Tiruchirapalli in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Built in the Gallo-Catholic design, the Church is devoted to Our Lady of Lourdes. The church is considered one of oldest of the 22 churches in the city which are older than 100 years. The church is located in the premises of St. Joseph's College Higher Secondary School, Trichy. The church is one of the major landmarks in the city.
The foundation was laid during 1895 and the construction completed by 1903 when it was thrown open to public. The images of St. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Peter, and St. John de Britto on the middle of the spire is the most notable feature of the church. The renovated church was dedicated on 10 February 1998 and the Way of cross was blessed and erected during 1999. The church presents a case study of a Gothic style church built fully with indigenous material and craftsmen.
Our Lady of Angels Church is a working church with hourly prayer and daily services and follows Roman Catholic sect of Christianity. The church has various religious practices from 5:15 am to 8 pm. There are four annual feasts in the church with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes held annually on 11 February being the most prominent among them. The church is associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirapalli, while it is maintained and administered by the Fathers of Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) (read more).
USA - Utah - Tibber Fork Reservoir
Tibble Fork Reservoir is one of many hidden gems located up American Fork Canyon. Nestled in the scenic Wasatch Mountains, Tibble Fork offers breathtaking views of Mount Timpanogos and a variety of outdoor activities.
Sent by Paula from Utah, USA.
Tibble Fork and Silver Lake Flat Reservoir are beautiful fresh water lakes located up American Fork Canyon. These popular outdoor recreation areas offer a wide variety of activities and trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, ATV’s and horseback riding. Nestled in the scenic Wasatch Mountains, Tibble Fork and Silver Lake offer spectacular views and are a frequented for their photographic opportunities. Note: Tibble Fork and Silver Lake are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and require a small day use fee to access. Accessibility: To get to these Reservoirs, take the Alpine-Highland exit 284. Stay on Hwy 92 and turn left at North Fork junction in American Fork Canyon. Silver Lake Flat is just past Tibble Fork Reservoir (read more).
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Italy - Marche - Historic Centre of Urbino
Architechtural view of the interior courtyard of the Ducal Palace of Urbino in Italy. Historic Centre of Urbino, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sent by Luca from Marche, Italy.
The small hill town of Urbino, in the Marche, experienced a great cultural flowering in the 15th century, attracting artists and scholars from all over Italy and beyond, and influencing cultural developments elsewhere in Europe. Owing to its economic and cultural stagnation from the 16th century onwards, it has preserved its Renaissance appearance to a remarkable extent.
The small Italian hill town of Urbino became, for a short time during the Renaissance era, one of the major cultural centres of Europe. Today, the historic centre is defined by its Renaissance walls that survive virtually intact, complete with bastions. Within these walls, several buildings of extraordinary quality have been retained such as the Ducal Palace, the cathedral, the Monastery of Santa Chiara and a complex system of oratories.
The initial nucleus of the city evolved from a fortified Roman settlement dating from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. The Romans built on the top of the hill where the Ducal Palace now stands and until the 11th century, the city remained within these limits. At the end of that century, its urban expansion required the construction of a new system of defensive walls. In the mid 15th century, Federico da Montefeltro undertook a radical rebuilding campaign within these original walls without disturbing the overall urban structure. The city was later further expanded to a second hill lying to the north, giving the area, now enclosed by the Renaissance walls an elongated outline.
Urbino is a small city in the hills that experienced an astonishing cultural flowering in the 15th century. During this period, it attracted artists and scholars from all over Italy and beyond which, in turn, influenced cultural developments elsewhere in Europe. Between 1444 and 1482, Federico da Montefeltro ruled in Urbino and his court brought together some of the era’s leaders: foremost humanists of the time such as Leone Battista Alberti, Marsilio Ficino, and Giovanni Bessarione; mathematicians like Paul van Middelburg; and artists such as Luciano Laurana, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca and Ambrogio Barocci. These men created and implemented outstanding cultural and urban projects. This cultural climate made it possible for Raffaello, Donato Bramante and the mathematician Luca Pacioli to flourish in their own art and science (read more).
Germany - Brandenburg - Rathenow
Rathenow - Stadt der Optik (City of Optics)
Various landmarks and scenes from the German town of Rathenow;
1. Stadtpanorama
2. Bismarkturm
3. Weinbergbrücke
4. „Der abtragejunge“ (Karl Mertens)
Sent by Annelt from Rathenow, Germany.
Rathenow (German: [ˈʁaːtənoː]) is a town in the district of Havelland in Brandenburg, in eastern Germany, with a population of 24,063 (2020).
The Protestant church of St. Marien Andreas, originally a basilica, and transformed to the Gothic style in 1517-1589, and the Roman Catholic Church of St. George, are noteworthy.
Rathenow is known for being the former capital of eyewear manufacturing in East Germany. It is also known for its stones, called Rathenow stones.
In 1675, during the Scanian War, it was the site of a battle between Swedish and Brandenburgian forces.
During World War II, Rathenow was the location of a forced labour subcamp of the Nazi prison for women and juveniles in Berlin-Lichtenberg and a subcamp of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Prisoners of the latter were mostly Dutch, Belgian and French (read more).
Germany - Schleswig-Holstein - Hanseatic City of Lübeck
An aerial view of the German city of Lübeck, a Hanseatic city known for its Brick Gothic architecture and historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stadt der Lübeck sieben türme is "City of the Seven Towers".
Sent by Jasmin from Hessen, Germany.
Lübeck – the former capital and Queen City of the Hanseatic League – was founded in the 12th century and prospered until the 16th century as the major trading centre for northern Europe. It has remained a centre for maritime commerce to this day, particularly with the Nordic countries. Despite the damage it suffered during the Second World War, the basic structure of the old city, consisting mainly of 15th- and 16th-century patrician residences, public monuments (the famous Holstentor brick gate), churches and salt storehouses, remains unaltered.
Founded in 1143 on the Baltic coast of northern Germany, Lübeck was from 1230 to 1535 one of the principal cities of the Hanseatic League, a league of merchant cities which came to hold a monopoly over the trade of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The plan of the Old Town island of Lübeck, with its blade-like outline determined by two parallel routes of traffic running along the crest of the island, dates back to the beginnings of the city and attests to its expansion as a commercial centre of Northern Europe. To the west, the richest quarters with the trading houses and the homes of the rich merchants are located, and to the east, small commerces and artisans. The very strict socio-economic organization emerges through the singular disposition of the Buden, small workshops set in the back courtyards of the rich hares, to which access was provided through a narrow network of alleyways (Gänge).
Lübeck has remained an urban monument characteristic of a significant historical structure even though the city was severely damaged during the Second World War. Almost 20% of it were destroyed, including the most famous monumental complexes- the Cathedral of Lübeck, the churches of St Peter and St Mary and especially the Gründungsviertel, the hilltop quarter where the gabled houses of the rich merchants clustered. Selective reconstruction has permitted the replacement of the most important churches and monuments (read more).
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Belgium - Ghent
Collage of buildings in the city of Ghent, Belgium.
Sent by Jean from Ghent, Belgium.
Ghent (Dutch: Gent [ɣɛnt]; French: Gand [ɡɑ̃]; historically known as Gaunt in English) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the province of East Flanders, and the third largest in the country, after Brussels and Antwerp. It is a port and university city.
The city originally started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie. In the Late Middle Ages Ghent became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. After the late 16th century Ghent became a less important city, resulting in an extremely well-preserved historic centre, making Ghent a popular tourist destination.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding suburbs of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 270,473 inhabitants at the end of 2024, Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and had a total population of 560,522 as of 1 January 2018, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium. The current mayor of Ghent is Mathias De Clercq (Open Vld).
The ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten) is held every year and attended by about 1–1.5 million visitors (read more).
USA - New York - Rochester
ROCHESTER AT NIGHT
Rochester, New York
Sent by Beta from Rochester, USA.
Rochester is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, New York, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in New York, with a population of 211,328 at the 2020 census. The Rochester metropolitan area in Western New York has an estimated 1.06 million residents and is the 54th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Throughout its history, Rochester has acquired several nicknames based on local industries; it has been known as "the Flour City" and "the Flower City" for its dual role in flour production and floriculture, and as the "World's Image Center" for its association with film, optics, and photography.
The city was one of the United States' first boomtowns, initially due to the fertile Genesee River valley which gave rise to numerous flour mills, and then as a manufacturing center, which spurred further rapid population growth. Rochester has also played a key part in US history as a hub for social and political movements, especially abolitionism, and the women's rights movement.
Rochester is the birthplace and/or home of many notable companies including Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, Wegmans, Constellation Brands, Gannett, Paychex, and Western Union. In part due to their influence, the region became a global center for science, technology, and research and development. This has been aided by the presence of several internationally renowned universities, notably the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and their research programs; these schools, along with many other smaller colleges, have played an increasingly large role in its economy. The city experienced significant population decline due to deindustrialization in the late 20th century, although less severely than its Rust Belt peers. The Rochester metropolitan area is the third-largest regional economy in New York, after New York City and Buffalo–Niagara Falls.
Rochester is also known for its culture; in particular, the Eastman School of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the world, and the Rochester International Jazz Festival anchor a vibrant music industry. It is the site of several museums such as The Strong National Museum of Play and the George Eastman Museum, which houses the oldest photography collection in the world (read more).
Swimwear #15
Original 50s-60s Italian Risque Pinup Postcard - Blond Stipped Bikini.
Sent by Thomas from Luzern, Switzerland.
Thursday, November 6, 2025
20th Year of Postcrossing #17 - Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Goat cart.
Postcrossing's 20th Anniversary Meetup.
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
12th July 2025.
Sent by Marianne from Los Baños, Philippines.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)