Czechia - Charles Bridge

The historic, most iconic and pictyuresque sights of Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

Sent by Ami from Milovice, Czechia.

Charles Bridge (Czech: Karlův most [ˈkarluːf ˈmost], German: Karlsbrücke) is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the early 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been severely damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or Prague Bridge (Pražský most), but has been referred to as "Charles Bridge" since 1870.

As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This land connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge is located on the historic coronation route of the Bohemian kings.

The bridge is 516 metres (1,693 ft) long and nearly 10 metres (33 ft) wide. Following the example of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, it was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700, but now all have been replaced by replicas (read more).

Czechia - Jilemnice

JILEMNICE - KRKONOŠE

A town hall in Jilemnice, Czech Republic in a winter setting.

Sent by Arnold from Krkonoše, Czech Republic.

Jilemnice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈjɪlɛmɲɪtsɛ]; German: Starkenbach) is a town in Semily District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,400 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone (read more).

Czechia - Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž

Archbishop's Chateau and the Chateau Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kroměříž, Czechia.

Sent by Emil from Kroměříž, Czechia.

The ensemble formed by the archiepiscopal castle, an adjacent garden (Podzámecká zahrada) and a pleasure garden (Květná zahrada) situated nearby, is located in the historic centre of the town of Kroměříž, in the Zlín region of the Czech Republic.

The “Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž” illustrate a type of early Baroque architectural ensemble which introduced to central Europe, ravaged by war, high architectural values of Italian origin, linked with high-quality sculpture, paintings, and applied arts and enhanced by the acme of garden design in which the technological potential of the use of water was developed with virtuosity. The Castle Garden demonstrates, in an extraordinary way, the creative affinity between the garden art of central Europe and broader European trends in the design of landscape parks. The Pleasure Garden influenced Moravian garden design, whilst the influence of the Castle spread further, to the Danube region.

The “Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž” constitute a remarkably well preserved and basically unchanged example of a Baroque aristocratic ensemble (in this case the seat of an influential ecclesiastic) of residence and pleasure garden, with a larger park that reflects the Romanticism of the 19th century (read more).

Switzerland - Jet d'Eau in Geneva

GENEVA

Jet d'eau, a fountain in Geneva, Switzerland. This iconic landmark is a popular tourist attraction and symbol of the city.

Sent by diams1 from Ursy, Switzerland.

The Jet d'Eau (French pronunciation: [ʒɛ do], Water-Jet) is a large fountain in Geneva, Switzerland and is one of the city's most famous landmarks, being featured on the city's official tourism web site. Situated where Lake Geneva exits as the Rhône, it is visible throughout the city and from the air, even when flying over Geneva at an altitude of ten kilometres (33,000 ft).

Five hundred litres (130 US gal) of water per second are jetted to an altitude of 150 metres (490 ft) by two 500 kW pumps, operating at 2,400 V, consuming one megawatt of electricity and costing 510,000 CHF per year. The water leaves the ten-centimetre (4 in) nozzle at a speed of 200 km/h (55 m/s). At any given moment, there are about 7,000 L (1,800 US gal) of water in the air. Unsuspecting visitors to the fountain—which can be reached via a stone jetty from the left bank of the lake—may be surprised to find themselves drenched after a slight change in wind direction (read more).

Poland - Pomeranian - Gdynia (3)

Split design of Gdynia landmarks at sunset and a cityscape.

Sent by Magdalena from Gdynia, Poland.

Gdynia is a part of 3City and a younger sister of Gdańsk and Sopot. It was built after the 1st World War to provide Poland with quick access to the sea. Since then it has developed into a lovely city with bright-coloured buildings, clean beaches, shops and stylish cafes and restaurants. Kosciuszko Square is the central point of Gdynia, where people like to go for walks and chill out during summer days. It is a great spot for people watching, eating ice-cream, reading and anything else you like doing when you’re at a seaside.

At first it might seem like the Three Masts monument and the communist-style buildings make the area a little ‘heavy’. You can also see Gdynia’s shipyard in the distance, which might not improve your first impression of this place, but give it a chance and you’ll see that Kosciuszko Square is the most relaxing place in TriCity (read more).

Boeing P-12E Biplane

Boeing P-12E Biplane

Pursuit aircraft of the 1930s

Collage of used postage stamps

by Kay Burrell USA 1/2023

Sent by Kate from Seattle in Washingtn, USA.

The Boeing P-12 or Boeing F4B is an American pursuit aircraft that was operated by the United States Army Air Corps, United States Marine Corps, and United States Navy. It was the chief fighter aircraft in American service during the early 1930s but also used internationally. By the late 1930s it was replaced in front-line duty by newer designs, but it was still used for training into the early 1940s. Many variants of the aircraft were developed. In the 21st century a handful of surviving air frames are on display in museums.

Developed as a private venture to replace the Boeing F2B and F3B with the United States Navy, the Boeing Model 99 first flew on 25 June 1928. The new aircraft was smaller, lighter and more agile than the ones it replaced but still used the Wasp engine of the F3B. This resulted in a higher top speed and overall better performance. As result of Navy evaluation 27 were ordered as the F4B-1; later evaluation by the United States Army Air Corps resulted in orders with the designation P-12. Boeing supplied the USAAC with 366 P-12s between 1929 and 1932. Production of all variants totaled 586 (read more).

China - Anhui Province - Baogong Temples

Baogong Temples (Memorial Temple s of Lord Bao) are places of worship built to commemorate Bao Zheng, an honest government official from the Song Dynasty.

Sent by Syugi from Hefei, China.

Lord Bao (999-1062), named Bao Zheng, was a renowned officer in the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127). He is well respected because of his excellent personality, fair-minded judgments and strict family education. Many temples were built to commemorate his death. Among them the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao in Hefei is the most famous. It lies in Baohe Park in the southeastern part of his hometown, Hefei City. Its current appearance is the result of reconstruction in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

Entering the beautiful park, walking through the stone gate and along the small path by the lake, you will find it in front of you. It is a typical compound with houses around a courtyard. There is a incense burner donated by a pilgrim standing in the yard. The main palace with five halls is the highlight of it (read more).

Australia - Christmas Wreath Maxicard

Christmas wreath. 

Illustration : Sarah Allen

Sent by Kerryn from State of Victoria, Australia.

Taiwan - 12th Anniversary of The Taiwan Postcard Exchange Association

April 13th, 2024.

12th Anniversary of The Taiwan Postcard Exchange Association.

Sent by Sherry from Zhongli, Taiwan.

Postcrossing Meetup - Zemun, Serbia on 31st May 2025

31st May 2025

Zemun, Serbia

Sent by Dubravka from Belgrade, Serbia.

Postcrossing Meetup - Mikluš's Prison Museum Košice, Slovakia on 26th August 2023

26th August 2023

Mikluš's Prison Museum Košice, Slovakia

Sent by Slavomir from Bratislava, Slovakia.

USA - Texas - Chickawa Aztec Dancers

CHICKAWA AZTEC DANCERS

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Downtown Nacogdoches, Texas.

Sent by Pam from Nagogdoches in Texas, USA.

The Chikawa Aztec Dancers (often referred to as Danza Chikawa or Chikawa Conroe) are a cultural group based in Texas that performs traditional Aztec dances, or Danza Azteca, during Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebrations. They are known for participating in events like the annual Día de los Muertos Fiesta in downtown Nacogdoches. 

USA - Wisconsin - The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright

Taliesin® Garden Court

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Taliesin, the Spring Garden, Wisconsin, home of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, was built in 1911 and served as the architect's residence and studio for nearly 50 years. Robert Campbell, Pulitzer-Prize-winning architecture critic, called Taliesin the "greatest single building in America." Wright had tea here every day at 4.00 p.m. with his apprentices.

Sent by Hannah from Georgia, USA.

The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright focusses upon the influence that the work of this architect had, not only in his country, the United States of America, but more importantly, on architecture of the 20th century and upon the recognized masters of the Modern Movement in architecture in Europe. The qualities of what is known as ‘Organic Architecture’ developed by Wright, including the open plan, the blurring between exterior and interior, the new uses of materials and technologies and the explicit responses to the suburban and natural settings of the various buildings, have been acknowledged as pivotal in the development of modern architectural design in the 20th century.

The property includes a series of eight buildings designed and built over the first half of the 20th century; each component has specific characteristics, representing new solutions to the needs for housing, worship, work, education and leisure. The diversity of functions, scale and setting of the components of the series fully illustrate the architectural principles of “organic architecture” (read more).

USA - Florida - Everglades National Park (3)

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

These subtropical Florida wetlands - teeming with mangroves and wildlife including egrets and herons, alligators, and the faed Florida panthers - also feature scenic trails and coastal prairie.

Sent by Sherry from California, USA.

My other two postcards of Everglades National Park are here, and here.

Bicycle (78)

Bicycle in front of "The Little House". Lütjensee.

Sent by Gerald from Hamburg, Germany.

USA - Delaware - The First State

Various Delaware-themed illustrtions and landmarks, such as the "Blue Hens" mascot, Rehoboth Beach, and the "First State" motto.

Sent by Debra Virginia, USA.

Delaware earned itself the nickname “The First State” when, on Dec. 7, 1787, it became the first of the American colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

Delaware’s place at the vanguard of this democratic experiment might not have happened at all were it not for a famous midnight horse ride made on July 1, 1776, by Caesar Rodney. One of three Delaware delegates serving in the Continental Congress, Rodney was in Dover when he got word the other delegates were deadlocked in their vote for independence. To break the tie, Rodney climbed onto a horse and raced more than 70 miles through a thunderstorm to reach Philadelphia, where he cast the deciding vote for independence, reputedly still wearing his boots and spurs — a feat commemorated in 1999 on the Delaware State Quarter.

As a state, Delaware is distinguished in no small measure by its size: It’s the second smallest state in the Union (undersized only by Rhode Island), and it has the fewest counties (three). But don’t let its diminutive stature fool you: It’s also the sixth most densely populated state, boasting more than 442 people per square mile, and all without hosting a single city of more than 100,000 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census (read more).

USA - Illinois - Chicago History Museum

The museum is a prominent cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of Chicago and its people.

Sent by Barbara from Illinois, USA.

Chicago History Museum is the museum of the Chicago Historical Society (CHS). The CHS was founded in 1856 to study and interpret Chicago's history. The museum and library has been located in Lincoln Park since the 1930s at 1601 North Clark Street at the intersection of North Avenue in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood, where the museum has been expanded several times. Long known as the CHS, the society adopted the name, Chicago History Museum, in September 2006 for its public presence.

Much of the Chicago Historical Society's first collection was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, but the museum rose from the ashes like the city. Among its many documents which were lost in the fire was Abraham Lincoln's final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. (This draft had been donated by Lincoln to nurse Mary Livermore for her to auction to raise funds to build Chicago's Civil War Soldiers' Home) After the fire, the Society began collecting new materials, which were stored in a building owned by J. Young Scammon, a prominent lawyer and member of the society. However, the building and the new collection were again destroyed by fire in 1874. The Chicago Historical Society built a fireproof building on its pre-1871 building-site at 632 North Dearborn Street. The replacement building opened in 1896 and housed the society for thirty-six years. The building was later added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Old Chicago Historical Society Building (read more).

Bicycle (77)

Altes Fahrrad - mauritius images / age - RFPB 051.

Sent by Lars from Germany.

Bicycle (76)

Dublin : Bicycle in Leeson Street.

Sent by Meike from Hannover, Germany.

Bicycle stamp was issued in 2017 to celebrate 200th years of bicycles.

Germany - Bavaria - Bärnau

Winter scene in Grenzlandtum in Bärnau, Germany.

Sent by Heike from Bärnau, Germany.

Bärnau (German pronunciation: [ˈbɛʁnaʊ]) is a town in the district of Tirschenreuth, Bavaria, Germany. It is situated near the border with the Czech Republic, 25 km northeast of Weiden in der Oberpfalz, and 26 km southwest of Mariánské Lázně. It obtained town privileges in 1343, making it the oldest town in the district (read more).

Germany - North Rhine-Westphalia - Mönchengladbach

A collage of landmarks from Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Sent by Birgit from Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Mönchengladbach (German: [mœnçn̩ˈɡlatbax]; Limburgish: Jlabbach [jəˈlɑbɑx]) is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany, west of the Rhine, halfway between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border.

The original name of the city was Gladbach, by which it is still often known today. To distinguish it from another town of the same name (the present Bergisch Gladbach), it took the name München-Gladbach ('Monks’ Gladbach', in reference to the abbey) in 1888. Between 1933 and 1950, it was written München Gladbach' (short: M. Gladbach), without a hyphen. This spelling was seen as potentially misleading, as it could imply that Gladbach was a borough of Munich (German: München), so consequently the name was changed to Mönchen-Gladbach in 1950 (and subsequently Mönchengladbach in 1960) to avoid confusion (read more).

Germany - Rhineland-Palatinate - Koblenz

A collage of various landmarks and scenes from Koblenz, Germany. The city is known for its unique location at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, a spot famously called the Deutsches Eck (German Corner).

Sent by Corinna from Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany.

Koblenz (UK: /koʊˈblɛnts/ koh-BLENTS, US: /ˈkoʊblɛnts/ KOH-blents, German: [ˈkoːblɛnts]; Moselle Franconian: Kowelenz) is a city in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, on the banks of the rivers Rhine (Middle Rhine) and Moselle, a multinational tributary.

Koblenz was established as a Roman military post by Drusus c. 8 BC. Its name originates from the Latin (ad) cōnfluentēs, meaning "(at the) confluence". The actual confluence is today known as the "German Corner", a symbol of the unification of Germany that features an equestrian statue of Emperor William I. The city celebrated its 2,000th anniversary in 1992.

The city ranks as the third-largest city by population in Rhineland-Palatinate, behind Mainz and Ludwigshafen am Rhein, with 115,298 residents (as of 2023). Koblenz lies in a narrow flood plain between high hill ranges, some reaching mountainous height, and is served by an express rail and autobahn network. It is part of the populous Rhineland (read more).

Germany - Saxony - Brühl's Terrace

A winter evening view of Brühl's Terrace, in Dresden, a historic architechtural ensemble nicknamed the "Balcony of Europe". The prominent building with the large dome is Hofkirche (Cathedral of the Holy Trinity), the Catholic Court Church of Saxony.

Sent by Tabea from Dresden, Germany.

The Brühl Terrace is also affectionately known as the "Balcony of Europe". It stretches over a length of about 500 metres between the Augustus Bridge and today's Carola Bridge and was built in the 16th century as part of Dresden's fortifications.

In the 18th century the terrace was extended by the so-called "Brühl's Glories" (gallery, library, Belvedere, palace and gardens) and thus lost its fortress-like character.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Brühl Terrace was opened to the public. Today, as an architectural ensemble, it is an important sight in the city (read more).