GERMANY

This cover from Germany depicts 2 stamps of the same type and a stamp of 110 (on the left) celebrating the Schwerin Residence Ensemble. Schwerin Castle, also known as Schwerin Palace, is a 19th-century Schloss built in the historicist style located in the city of Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state, Germany. It is situated on an island in the city's main lake, Lake Schwerin. For centuries, the castle on the present site was the home of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and later Mecklenburg-Schwerin, although few parts of the pre-19th-century castle have survived. Today, parts of the castle serve as the residence of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament (German: Landtag) while other parts are used for the palace museum, a restaurant, and cultural events, like open-air theatre in the courtyard. Significant parts of the current palace were built between 1845 and 1857 as a collaboration between the eminent historicist architects Gottfried Semper, Friedrich August Stüler, Georg Adolf Demmler, and Ernst Friedrich Zwirner. The castle is regarded as one of the most important works of Romantic historicism in Europe, and is nicknamed the "Neuschwanstein of the North". In 2023, Schwerin Castle was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

A cover from Russia, depicting the EUROPA 2017 stamp (on the right corner) on topic "Castles". This stamp depicts the St. Michael's Castle (Mikhailovski Castle), a former royal residence in the historic centre of Saint Petersburg. It was built as a residence for Emperor Paul I by architects Vincenzo Brenna and Vasili Bazhenov in 1797-1801. This monument is part of the UNESCO site "Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Minuments". The 'Venice of the North', with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a vast urban project begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. Later known as Leningrad (in the former USSR), the city is closely associated with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage. All this group of monuments were recognized by UNESCO as an World Heritage Site in 1990.

GERMANY

A special first day cover celebrating the amazing Neuschwanstein Castle.

CROATIA

CROATIA

A cover from CRoatia, depicting a complete set issued in 2017 on topic "EUROPA 2017 - Castles".

CZECH REPUBLIC

In this cover, the 12 kc stamp (on the right corner) celebrates the Litomysl Castle. Litomyšl Castle is one of the largest Renaissance castles in the Czech Republic. It is owned by the Czech state. It is located in the centre of the town of Litomyšl and was declared a UNESCO Site in 1999. Litomyšl Castle is an outstanding example of the arcade castle, a type of building first developed in Italy and modified in the Czech lands to create an evolved form of special architectural quality. High-Baroque features were added to this castle in the 18th century.

SWITZERLAND

This UNESCO cover from Switzerland celebrates the site called "Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market Town of Bellinzone". Inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, the fortifications at Bellinzona protected the entrance to the Ticino valley and in turn the access to one of the most important Alpine passes, leading to north Italy. The bulk of the fortifications dates to the 15th century, though some parts are centuries older. The property comprises two castles, Castelgrande and Montebello, which are connected by walls, and a third castle, Sasso Corbaro, which was built on an isolated rocky promontory. The site is in an excellent state of conservation.

IRELAND

A nice cover from Ireland, depicting a complete set issued in 2017 on topic "EUROPA - Castles": the €1 stamp with the Dublic Castle and de € 1.35 stamps with the Limerick Castle.

JORDAN

A nice cover from Jordan, depicting a complete set issued in 2016 on topic "Ancient Castles in Jordan".

POLAND

A nice cover from Poland, depicting a stamp issued in 2017 on topic "EUROPA - Castles" and celebrating the Pieskowa Skala Castle (14th. century).

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AZERBAIJAN

My first cover from Azerbaijan, depicting a complete set and a miniature sheet from 2017 on topic "EUROPA - Castles". The castle represented in the beautiful miniature sheet is the Maiden Tower (Azerbaijani: Qız Qalası), located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Old City of Baku". It is an ancient tower with cultural affinity corroborating the presence Zoroastrians, Sassanians, Arabs, Persians, Shirvanis, Ottomans, and Russians. Built in the 12th century, as part of the walled city of Baku, the Maiden Tower, with the Shirvanshahs' Palace dated to the 15th century, are an ensemble of historic monuments. It is one of the most noted landmarks and Azerbaijan's most distinctive national emblems, and is thus featured on Azeri currency notes and other official letter heads. The Old City is the most ancient part of Baku, which is surrounded by walls which were easily defended. In 2007, the Old City had a population of about 3000 people. In December 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

CZECH REPUBLIC

A nice cover from Czech Republic, depicting a single but very beautiful stamp celebrating the Castle of Prague. Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad in czech) is a castle complex in the historical centre of Prague, built in the 9th. century. The Castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors and presidents of former Czechoslovakia. It's also the official office of the President of the Czech Republic.
The Castle is located at the Historical Centre of Prague, included at UNESCO's sites.

CZECH REPUBLIC

A nice cover from Czech Republic, depicting a single but very beautiful stamp celebrating the Castle of Prague. Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad in czech) is a castle complex in the historical centre of Prague, built in the 9th. century. The Castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors and presidents of former Czechoslovakia. It's also the official office of the President of the Czech Republic.
The Castle is located at the Historical Centre of Prague, included at UNESCO's sites.

INDIA

A beautiful cover from India, featuring a miniature sheet issued in 2009 on topic "Heritage Monuments Preservation".

TURKEY

A beautiful cover from Turkey, depicting a miniature sheet issued in 2015 celebrating the "Dolmabahce Palace" (19th. century) in Istanbul.

HUNGARY

A nice cover from Hungary, depicting a complete set issued in 2018 on topic "Regions and towns of Hungary". One stamp celebrates the Nádasdy Castle (16th. century), in Sárvár.

ROMANIA

A nice cover from Romania, depicting a complete set issued in 2013 celebrating the Transilvania region.

SPAIN

A cover from Spain with a stamp celebrating the Villena Castle in Alicante (from the 12th century).

GERMANY

A special cover from Germany, depicting a single stamp issued in 2018 with a special cancellation, celebrating 375 years of the Friedenstein Palace in Gotha.
Friedenstein Palace is an early Baroque palace built in the mid-17th century by Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. It was one of the largest palaces of its time and one of the first Baroque palaces ever built.
 

TURKEY

A nice cover from Turkey, depicting a miniature sheet issued in 2017 on topic "Palaces". The stamp is about a beautiful historical building, Beylerbeyi Palace (19th century), which is located in the Bosphorus, Istanbul.