Moscow

The Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye.  UNESCO World Heritage

From Anna in  Khabarovsk

Triumphal Arch of Moscow on Victory Square

From Andrey in Moscow

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior

From Dima in Moscow

Mailboxes

Mailboxes from Netherlands

Mailboxes from China

Ryijy- Rug

 Sent to Mari, Finland

Sent to Lori, U.S.A

Sent to Priyanka, U.S.A

Ryijy is a form of Finnish tapestry or cloth rug.

The name ryijy originated with the Scandinavian word rya, which means "thick cloth". The decorative ryijy rug is an art form unique to Finland. In the late 19th century, ryijy rug weaving developed as a folk art. Some of the most beautiful tapestries were woven then.

 Originally woven for use as coverlets and bedding, they were mainly in natural colors, white, gray, and black. Some tones of yellow, red, green, and blue were introduced with vegetable dyes. Later, aniline dyes added another dimension of color and design.

The use of color and pattern is especially unique to the Finnish ryijy. Dating back to the 18th century, a ryijy was often used as a prayer rug during wedding ceremonies; the tapestry was then hung for display in the couple's home.

Different regions had designs specific to the event and colors specific to the local plants for dyes. Designs were often geometric shapes and florals, or figures of humans, animals, or birds. A very typical motif was the Tree of Life signifying family heritage.

Postcards for the weekend 50: Patterns & prints

Lisbon

 St. Anthony's Day and sardine lunch 

 The neo-classical Elevador Santa Justa in central Lisbon

 Suspension bridge 

Laterns and Temples

Entrance to Longshan Temple from  Catheline, Taiwan

Longshan Temple is a famous old temple in Taiwan. It is for worshiping Guanshiyin Budda and other divine spirits.

Longshan Temple from Wei Yi,Taiwan

Chiufen  village street view with laterns.

Chiufen, is a mountain area in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

From SueMei,Taiwan

Lighthouses

 Strömmingsbådan lighthouse,  Södra Vallgrund, Finland

The iron lighthouse was built in 1885 and it is 12m high.

Art by Marléne Ström

.Norrskär lighthouse, Södra Vallgrund, Kvarken

Art by 

 Utgrynnan lighthouse Södra Vallgrund

Art by Margareta Hjerpe,

Södra Vallgrund

Sanctuary

  The new Sanctuary of  Our Lady of Meritxel

The Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Sanctuary is located in the central part of Andorra. It is the most important place for the Catholic Church in the Andorra. You will find there two churches: the older one, which is a monument of Romanesque Style and a new sanctuary, designed by the famous Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill. His inspirations for the project of the new sanctuary were the Andorran landscapes, its mountains and valleys. 

Nowadays, the day of the Holy Virgin of Meritxell is one of only four bank holidays in Andorra (8th September). The Holy Mary of Meritxell is the patron saint of this traditionally religious country.

Meritxell is a part of Ruta Mariana (The Marian Route) a pilgrimage route connecting 5 Marian shrines in Spain, France and Andorra, around the Pyrenees Mountains. It comprises of the following sanctuaries:

Lourdes in France
Montserrat in Spain
Meritxell in Andorra
Torreciudad in Spain
Zaragoza in Spain