GREECE - Meteora

"In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these 'columns of the sky' from the 11th century onwards. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Permission to post the back of the card, Zuzana!
I believe this is a happy postcard worth sharing
 because this is a proof of your happy memories with your grandson!
Hope he will one day read this and will tell the whole world 
what an amazing grandma he 's got!
Thank you so much for always remembering to send me great postcards!

Postcard 2

A postcard from Craciun of Romania who visited Greece.

Thank you so much for sharing with me this card!

GREECE - Archaeological Site of Philippi

"The remains of this walled city lie at the foot of an acropolis in north-eastern Greece, on the ancient route linking Europe and Asia, the Via Egnatia. Founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, the city developed as a “small Rome” with the establishment of the Roman Empire in the decades following the Battle of Philippi, in 42 BCE. The vibrant Hellenistic city of Philip II, of which the walls and their gates, the theatre and the funerary heroon (temple) are to be seen, was supplemented with Roman public buildings such as the Forum and a monumental terrace with temples to its north. Later the city became a centre of the Christian faith following the visit of the Apostle Paul in 49-50 CE. The remains of its basilicas constitute an exceptional testimony to the early establishment of Christianity.  " -https://whc.unesco.org/

Thank you so much Dimitris for sharing with me a UNESCO postcard on our swap.

This is very much appreciated!

GREECE - Archaeological Site of Olympia

"The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre for the worship of Zeus. The Altis – the sanctuary to the gods – has one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in 776 B.C." -http://whc.unesco.org

Some of the remains of the structures in Olympia.

Thank you so much, Anita of Austria for sharing with me this wonderful postcard!

GREECE - Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns

"The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. These two cities are indissolubly linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey , which have influenced European art and literature for more than three millennia." -http://whc.unesco.org

"In this postcard, you can see the Lion Gate, ruins of the palace and

the Treasury of Atreus (which is believed to be the tomb of King Agamemnon).

Mycenae was one of the cities most linked to Homeric Epics "Iliad" and "Odyssey", shares Elena.  Thank you so much, Elena for this wonderful postcard with cute stamp!

GREECE - Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus

"In a small valley in the Peloponnesus, the shrine of Asklepios, the god of medicine, developed out of a much earlier cult of Apollo (Maleatas), during the 6th century BC at the latest, as the official cult of the city state of Epidaurus. Its principal monuments, particularly the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Theatre - considered one of the purest masterpieces of Greek architecture – date from the 4th century. The vast site, with its temples and hospital buildings devoted to its healing gods, provides valuable insight into the healing cults of Greek and Roman times." -http://whc.unesco.org

"This is the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, one of the principal monuments of the Sanctuary of Asklepios. I've watched many ancient drama performances there --- it is truly unique experience!", shares Elena.
Thank you so much Elena for this colorful postcard!

It just brightens up my day every time I look at this... :)

The stamps were not postmarked though... :(

GREECE - Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika

"Founded in 315 B.C., the provincial capital and sea port of Thessalonika was one of the first bases for the spread of Christianity. Among its Christian monuments are fine churches, some built on the Greek cross plan and others on the three-nave basilica plan. Constructed over a long period, from the 4th to the 15th century, they constitute a diachronic typological series, which had considerable influence in the Byzantine world. The mosaics of the rotunda, St Demetrius and St David are among the great masterpieces of early Christian art." -http://whc.unesco.org

I am very much grateful to you Helen for all the cards you sent me! ^-^

GREECE - Archaeological Site of Delphi

"The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious centre and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world." -http://whc.unesco.org

I so much like this multi-view of Delphi...

Thank you so much for sending this to me, Helen!

GREECE - Mount Athos

"An Orthodox spiritual centre since 1054, Mount Athos has enjoyed an autonomous statute since Byzantine times. The 'Holy Mountain', which is forbidden to women and children, is also a recognized artistic site. The layout of the monasteries (about 20 of which are presently inhabited by some 1,400 monks) had an influence as far afield as Russia, and its school of painting influenced the history of Orthodox art." -http://whc.unesco.org

Esfigmenos Monastery

"Mount Athos is a self-governed monastic state within Greece!
It has a cluster of 20 monasteries and only male members
of the Orthodox Church are allowed to enter intoMount Athos.", shares Helen.
Thank you so much Helen for this great card!

GREECE - Old Town of Corfu

"The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, and has its roots in the 8th century BC. The three forts of the town, designed by renowned Venetian engineers, were used for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire. In the course of time, the forts were repaired and partly rebuilt several times, more recently under British rule in the 19th century. The mainly neoclassical housing stock of the Old Town is partly from the Venetian period, partly of later construction, notably the 19th century. As a fortified Mediterranean port, Corfu’s urban and port ensemble is notable for its high level of integrity and authenticity." -http://whc.unesco.org

 Thank you so much Vaso for this card

that traveled from Greece to the Philippines for 3 months! =)

GREECE - Medieval City of Rhodes

"The Order of St John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It subsequently came under Turkish and Italian rule. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles of the Gothic period. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques, public baths and other buildings dating from the Ottoman period." -http://whc.unesco.org

Thank you so much for swapping with me Eva... =)

GREECE - Acropolis, Athens

"The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world. In the second half of the fifth century bc, Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts. The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike." -http://whc.unesco.org

This is one of my oldest UNESCO cards. Thank you so much Sophia! =)