Xixia Imperial Tombs - China

 China has also added a new site to its already long list of sites classified as World Heritage. By long list I mean 60 sites, making it the 2nd country with the most UNESCO sites. I'm only missing one site.

Xixia Imperial Tombs are located in the foothills of the southern Helan Mountains in Ningxia, this necropolis is the imperial cemetery of the Xixia Dynasty.

It includes nine imperial mausoleums, 271 subordinate tombs, a northern architectural complex, and 32 flood control structures. Founded by the Tanguts in 1038, the Xixia Dynasty lasted until its destruction by Genghis Khan’s Mongol army in 1227. Positioned along the Silk Road, it became a multicultural civilization modelled on Chinese imperial traditions, with Buddhism at its core. The property reflects the dynasty’s religious and socio-political legacy. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

Pratapgad Fort - India

Pratapgad Fort is one of the 12 mountain forts in India, classified this year as UNESCO WHS. It didn't take me too long to get my 1st card of this new site. It was sent by Sriram. 

Maratha Military Landscapes of India includes twelve major fortifications, mostly in Maharashtra State, with one in Tamil Nadu. These forts (...) were built, adapted, or expanded by the Marathas between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. Strategically located on coastal and mountainous terrain, they formed a complex defence system supporting Maratha military dominance, trade protection, and territorial control. This network played a key role in the Marathas’ rise as a major political and military force. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

The pride of the Maratha Empire, the Pratapgarh Fort is a historical monument (..) perched in Satara district and at an altitude of 3500 feet above ground level, the Pratapgarh Fort was built by Maratha King – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1656 to guard the Par Pass.
Three years later, a major fight between the General of Bilaspur - Afzal Khan, and Shivaji happened here. Shivaji emerged as the winner at that time of the battle. However, in 1818, after losing the 3rd Anglo-Maratha war, the Marathas had to surrender it to the English East India Company. - in: https://mahabaleshwartourism.in

Stonehenge - England

 Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire. It is one of the most famous sites in the world and it was classified as UNESCO WHS in In 1986. Together with Avebury, it was one of the very first sites in the UK to be made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Work began on Stonehenge about 5,000 years ago, but it was built in stages over many years. The stone circle dates from about 2500 BC, in the late Neolithic period.
We don’t know exactly how the stones were brought to Stonehenge, but some of them – the bluestones – came from the Preseli Hills in south-west Wales, over 150 miles (250km) away.
We can only speculate as to what Stonehenge’s purpose was. But the fact that the sun rises over the Heel Stone on the longest day of the year (summer solstice) and sets over it on the shortest day (winter solstice) suggests that it was a prehistoric temple aligned with the sun’s movements.

US-11556461, sent by Charlene.

 Stonehenge’s builders raised the stones using joints normally found only in woodworking, and not seen at any other prehistoric monument. This makes it the most architecturally sophisticated surviving stone circle in the world.
Far from standing alone, Stonehenge forms part of a remarkable complex of connected prehistoric sites across the Wiltshire landscape. - in: https://www.english-heritage.org

NL-6022442

 I had to use google images again to identify this lighthouse and its location. The card is an official from the Netherlands but the lighthouse is located in Germany. 

 

Photo: Dirk Petersen

NL-6022442, sent by Esther.

The vibrant green Westmole lighthouse is located in Warnemünde, Germany. The lighthouse stands at the end of a stone mole, overlooking the Baltic Sea. 

FR-1816640

I've never heard about the Queyras before getting this card. This is a valley, also one of the 58 French Regional nature parks,  located in the Hautes-Alpes department in Southeastern France. 

The Queyras is one of the oldest mountain ranges of the Alps, and it was one of the last ones to be opened to public tourism towards the end of the 20th century, thus being relatively untouched by environmental destruction. 

For he hiking enthusiasts, it offers a multitude of trails to explore. One of the most popular hiking trails is the the Lacs du Malrif.

 

Photo: J. Sierpinski

FR-1816640, sent by Myriam.

The Malrif Lakes are a series of three glacial lakes located within a few hundred meters of each other. 

This 12-kilometer, 6-hour-30-minute hike begins in Aiguilles, offering breathtaking views of the lakes nestled between the mountains and lush meadows. 

The lake on the card is the Grand Laus lake, located at an altitude of 2,579 metres. It is the largest of the 3 lakes. 

Étretat - France

Normandy is one of the regions I'd like to visit in France and if I ever get to visit it, I'll definitely see the Étretat cliffs. Raquel has veen there and she sent me the 1st of these cards back in 2012. The other one is an official from Germany, received a few days ago.

Étretat is located in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.

Étretat is best known for its cliffs, including 3 natural arches and the pointed "needle".

 Photo by F. Godard

Formed millions of years ago beneath a sea that covered Normandy, the cliffs of Etretat are the result of the accumulation of limestone and flint by marine organisms, then raised by tectonic movements. Erosion by waves, wind and frost has sculpted the arches and needles we see today. The whiteness of the cliffs comes from the limestone, while the black bands are made of flint, once used to make fire. - in: https://cparici.com

 

Huber Images / Kamel

 DE-15634166, sent by Caro.

The Porte d’Aval (on the left when looking at the sea), a huge flint archway, was carved by the waves beating the end of the Falaise d’Aval. The 51-metre-high needle bears witness to the geological past of the cliffs of Etretat. It has become famous, gained a universal reputation and inspired many painters and writers. Is it hollow and did it shelter the treasure of the Kings of France discovered by Arsène Lupin, as recounted in Maurice Leblanc’s novel, L’aiguille Creuse. You can find out more about this enigma by visiting Le Clos Lupin, the property acquired by the novelist in 1919. - in: https://www.lehavre-etretat-tourisme.com

Nazaré's widow costume - Portugal

Paula and Vitória's contribution to my elderlies collection. 

Âncora

These Nazaré ladies are wearing the mourning costume, they're fishermen widows. The mourning costume is Nazaré's least known as it is becoming rarer and rarer. It's all in black, no lace or embroidery, and the low skirts are gray. Currently only older women continue to wear this costume.

 

Forways, Lta

Wandering along the waterfront of Nazaré Beach, you’ll encounter picturesque lines of fish-drying racks basking in the open air. Fish drying in Nazaré is a remarkable trade mark of local identity. 

The origins of this tradition remain unknown, but this would be the best way to preserve food in times of scarcity. Drying fish was the way to feed their families and to have fish to sell in the regional markets.
The drying fish is usually guarded by a local senior in the traditional dress, in this case, a widow.