Peter and Paul Fortress from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Lyuba from Russia sent me an official postcard with the view of Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Petersburg!

Once a desolate swamp, Saint Petersburg is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, being an important center of tourism in Russia. It was named in honor of St. Peter and not Peter the Great, the founder of the city. The name can be translated as "The City of St. Peter". Sometimes it is called "The Northern Capital of Russia" (referring to the centuries-old rivalry between St. Petersburg and Moscow). Saint-Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia with a population of about 5 million people. This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth and virtually any building in the large historic center, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, can be considered an attraction—and indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the mysterious twilight of the White Nights to world-beating opera and ballet productions on magical winter evenings, St. Petersburg charms and entices in every season.

On the postcard – one of the main places of interest in Saint Petersburg, Peter and Paul Fortress. The Peter and Paul Fortress is the original citadel of St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built to Domenico Trezzini's designs from 1706-1740. In the early 20th century, it was still used as a prison by the tsarist government. In the middle of the fortress stands the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III. The Cathedral was the first church in the city to be built of stone (between 1712-33) and its design is curiously unusual for a Russian Orthodox church. Other buildings in the fortress include the City History Museum and the Mint, one of only two places in Russia where coins and medals are minted.

The stamp is dedicated to the 175 anniversary of the first postal stamp (Black penny).

The link is here:

https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/RU-3826653

Thanks a lot, Lyuba!

2 postcards from Honduras!

The Republic of Honduras is a country in Central America (look at the postcard). The population is about 7,989,415 habitants. The capital is Tegucigalpa. Official language is Spanish. Honduras has colonial villages (Gracias, Comayagua), ancient Maya ruins (Copan), natural parks (Moskitia), and a Pacific and Caribbean coastline and the Bay Islands, with great beaches and coral reefs where snorkelling and diving are widespread. The country has one of the world highest murder rates due mostly to rampant gangs.

Enjoy the anthem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewyWW1kEPVk

The postcard shows the Cathedral of Tegucigalpa. The Tegucigalpa Cathedral, dedicated to Archangel St. Michael, the patron of the city, was built in the eighteenth century between 1765 and 1786. At the stamp you can see the Fortaleza de San Fernando de Omoa. It was built between 1759 and 1777 by Spain to protect the coast from rampant piracy. The fortress was captured in 1779 by the British during the Battle of San Fernando de Omoa. On 16 October 1779 there was a short siege and battle between British and Spanish forces not long after Spain entered the American Revolutionary War on the American side. The British forces managed to hold the fort only until November 1779.

Thanks a lot for the postcard, Wilmer!