Postcard Friendship Friday - Tartu University

I've always had a thing for singleview cards of beautiful buildings. Maybe it's because my best friend is an architect, or maybe it's because I love beauty in all its forms. The truth is that this kcard is quite stunning.

It was sent from Estonia and shows the University of Tartu. It took me a while to identify the building, because there is hardly any written information on the back of the card. It is located in Tartu, the 2nd largest city in Estonia. Regarded by most Estonians as the country's "national university", it is the highest ranked university in Estonia. It was established by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in 1632.

In the photo you can see its main building, built in 1809 in the neoclassical style. It houses the oldest museum in the University - the Art Museum.

It looks quite amazing. I wouldn't mind attending a few classes here myself. I would be proud of it. Hey, maybe one day - who knows, right?

source: wikipedia

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Pavlovsk's Park

This card sent by larisa, from Russia, shows the Rose Pavilion, one of many in Pavlovsk's Park, sourounding its Grand Palace.

Pavlovsk is a town located 30 km (19 mi) from St. Petersburg, Russia, near the Slavyanka River. It was granted in 1777, by Catherine the Great, to her son Paul upon the birth of his first son. In 1780, the scottish architect Charles Cameron was made responsible for the construction of a Grand Palace in Pavlovsk, to be used as a Country Residence of the Russian Imperial Family. The construction and most landscaping was concluded in 1825. The residential complex harbours an imense park, a Palace, several pavilions and monuments, covering around 1,500 acres. It holds a collection of rare furniture, porcelain, glass works and art. After Paul's death, the Palace became the residence of its widower, Maria Fedorovna.

The Rose Pavilion was erected in the 19th century and it was designed by A. Voronikhin. It is surounded by rose gardens, hence its name. Everything in its decor was based on the rose theme. For several decades it was a gathering place for artists and writers.

The complex was destroyed during WWII and was later restaured.

I was already impressed by the card's beauty but after doing a quick search on the Internet I was stunned by Pavlovsk's beauty and rich history. If you have the time, I suggest you do the same. You won't regret it.

source: wikipedia; alexanderpalace.org

Coimbra

This wonderful card was sent by susanaportugal from Portugal, signed in the back by all the participants in the 3rd Postcrossing meeting in Portugal. Unfortunely I couldn't be there. I guess that's the price I have to pay for living in an island - it gets hard to go to the mainland. Anyway, it was such a great surprise to get this card!

The card shows Coimbra, one of the oldest cities in Portugal. It's a college town, growing around the University, one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest in Portugal. The specific site shown in the card is the "Largo da Portagem" (english: Square of Toll). It owes its name to the fact that this was the place where the taxes were collected over the goods that arrived in the city, coming from the South.

In the picture you can see the square of Joaquim António de Aguiar, a notorious 19th century portuguese politician born in Coimbra. In 30th of May, 1834 he issued a law that extinguished all religious orders in Portugal. Due to this he was nicknamed "O mata-Frades" (english: "the friar killer").

I've visited Coimbra a while ago but I don't remember going to this square. Anyways, the city is quite beautiful, full of history and legends. A place you should visit...

Source: google.

Yes, I am still around...

I bet you've wondered about my whereabouts. Well, you can put you mind at ease: I am still alive and, for the most part, healthy.

I can only justify my absence from this blog with the huge amount of work I've had in the last few months. And now I have an internet problem, but I will be coming soon with more postcards and more stories.

So, stay tunned for scenes of the next episodes...

Israel Mapcard

I am not much of a mapcard fan but this one is amazing. It was sent from Israel by pam korsover a while back and the colours are incredible. It's very cute and childlike, don't you think?

Postcard Friendship Friday - 25th of April Bridge

I have a big fascination with bridges. I find them beautiful, a symbol of human ingenuity and strenght.

I particularly like this black and white postcard of the 25th of April Bridge, built in 1966, over the river Tagus, in Lisbon, Portugal's capital.

Its construction was completed 6 months ahead of schedule and its original name was Salazar Bridge, named so in honour of António Salazar, Portugal's Prime Minister and dictator for over 30 years. He founded and led the "Estado Novo", the authoritan, right-wing government that presided over the country from 1932 to 1974.

After the revolution, in 25th of April of 1974, its name was changed to 25th of April Bridge.
When it was inaugurated, it was the 5th largest suspension bridge in the World and the 1st outside of the USA. Nowdays, it stands in 66th place in the World ranking, but it's the highest bridge in Europe.

This wonderful card was sent to me from moonwolf.



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Postcard Friendship Friday - Polish Winnie The Pooh

I love Disney's Winnie The Pooh and I collect its cards from all over the world. This one was sent by Silwie, from Poland.

Can anyone tell me what the words mean in english? :)

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