Friday 20 November 2015

We have sent a postcard to Singapore!

Postcard 10 has been sent to Singapore, an island country in Southeast Asia, 11708 km away!


Hope Ashlyn will like this postcard that shows the Colexio de Fonseca, a magnificent Renaissance building that houses the University of Santiago de Compostela Main Library.




Flor Pernas, an advanced 1 student, has done some research on Singapore and has published interesting information HERE. If you want to read about the Colexio de Fonseca, go to DISCOVER SANTIAGO DECOMPOSTELA. Thanks a lot, Flor!


Discover Santiago de Compostela X and XI: Pazo de Fonseca



Pazo de Fonseca is located very near Obradoiro Square and houses the University Main Library. It was constructed by the Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca in the XVI century. Once there, once can contemplate its Renaissance façade, its cloister, its Gothic chapel and a panelled lounge, which hosts temporary exhibitions. 



Exploring the World IX: Singapore

Postcard 10 has been sent to SINGAPORE!

Singapore skyline
Flor has done some research on this Asian city and country, here you have her findings. Thanks, Flor!

WHERE IS SINGAPORE?

Singapore is a small island nation located in Southeast Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia. Singapore is made up of sixty-three islands, and is home to one of the world's biggest ports.
As a city-state, Singapore is both the country and its capital. Singapore Island is the main island of Singapore, which is also called Pulau Ujong. This island is the largest island of Singapore as well as the most populous, with a population of over 5 million. Singapore Island has an area of about 710 square kilometers.

Location of Singapore
SINGAPORE IS FAMOUS FOR...

...being a global, commercial and financial hub.

LANDMARKS

Singapore offers a wide variety of places to visit. Some of them are the following:

Chinatown

Singapore Chinatown

Little India

Shop in Little India, Singapore


The Financial District

Financial district, Singapore

Marina Bay

Daytime Marina Bay Singapore

Wonderful light spectacle at Marina Bay

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay Singapore
LIFESTYLE

Singapore is a very lively city with a very standard lifestyle. Most people speak English. It’s a very safe, clean and green city with an excellent transport system.

Watch this video to learn more about this exotic city.





Sources:

Thursday 12 November 2015

Postcrossing at EOI Santiago-Noia!

More good news today!


IES Virxe do Mar, Noia
Students and teachers at the Extensión de Noia have joined Postcrossing and run a blog where they publish information about all the postcards they send and receive.

Blog Postcrossing Noia
Thank you Manuel del Río! We will follow your activity!

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Postcard 9 is on its way to Lebanon (USA)

Postcard 9 has been sent to Lebanon, in the United States of America, 6124 kilometres away!


Silvia López, a B2 student, has written a postcard that shows the Auditorio de Galicia, a major venue for classical music performances in Santiago and home to the Galician Philarmonic Orchestra.




Silvia has done some research on Lebanon and has published a very interesting text on EXPLORING THE WORLD. She has also written a paragraph about the Auditorio which you can find in DISCOVER SANTIAGO DECOMPOSTELA. Thank you, Silvia!

Discover Santiago de Compostela IX: The Auditorio


The Auditorio de Galicia is the most important auditorium of Galicia. It is an emblematic and modern building surrounded by an incredible green area with lakes. Its cultural offer is amazing. In the Auditorio de Galicia you can enjoy ballet, concerts, drama performances, exhibitions… Besides, it is home to the Galician Philarmonic Orchestra with weekly performances on Thursday evenings.


Watch the video below to enjoy the marvellous performance by The Galician Philarmonic Orchestra and Carlos Núñez, a renowned Galician piper, of one of the best known Galician folk songs, "Non te namores menina":




Exploring Places VIII: Lebanon (USA)

Postcard 9 is on its way to LEBANON!

Silvia López has done some research on this American city, here you have her findings:


Lebanon, Broadway street
WHERE IS LEBANON?

Location of Lebanon in the United States
The map is not wrong, the Kent will talk about is located in Ohio, in the United States of America.
Lebanon is a city located in Warren County, in the southwest of Ohio, United States. Lebanon is the county seat of Warren and is included in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. The population was approximately 20.033 at the 2010 census. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.97 square miles (33.59 km2).

LEBANON IF FAMOUS FOR…
Lebanon is widely known as a tourist destination, with its many points of interest, historic landmarks, regional festivals and downtown shopping. Besides, the city also has a symphony orchestra and chorus.

LANDMARKS

Lebanon Manson Monroe Railroad


Lebanon Manson Monroe Railroad
Warren County Historical Society and Museum 
The Warren County Historical Museum is recognized as one of the nation's most outstanding county museums. It includes the Warren County History Center, housed in Harmon Hall, a three-story, 28,000-square-foot building with displays and artifacts from prehistoric eras to the mid-20th century.

The Golden Lamb Inn


Golden Lamb Inn 
The Golden Lamb Inn is the oldest hotel in Ohio, having been established in the Warren County seat of Lebanon in 1803. The present four-story structure is built around the 1815 rebuilding of the inn, maintaining its colonial architecture. Because of Lebanon's position on the highway between Cincinnati and Columbus, many notables have visited the inn. In fact, the Golden Lamb has been visited by twelve American Presidents!!!!

Harmon Golf Club
Harmon Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Warren County. It was built in 1912. Located in Historic Downtown Lebanon, the Golf Club features a regulation length course that is challenging for any level golfer.

LIFESTYLE
Lebanon has a young population; the median age in the city was 34.7 years at the 2010 census.
The quality of life in Lebanon ranks among the highest in the area. Lebanon has been selected as an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown for 2012. Lebanon has a thriving business community, high-quality industrial developments, beautiful residential areas, a historic down, and a solid education system, which excels in both academics and sports. 

CURIOSITIES ABOUT LEBANON
Did you know that…
  • Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon; made his home in Lebanon for 23 years after the moon landing?
  • Golden Lam Inn has been visited for Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush?
  •  the 1994 movie Milk Money with Ed Harris and Melanie Griffith were both shot in Lebanon?








Monday 9 November 2015

Next destination: Trieste, Italy

Postcard 8 has been headed for Triestre, a well-known city and seaport located in northeastern Italy, 1798 kilometres away!


Carmen Sosa, an advanced 1 student, has written a postcard that shows “Las Marias” or “Two o´clock”, a bronze sculpture placed at the entrance of Alameda´s Park in memory the two sisters who used to walk the Alameda Park in the 1960s. If you want to read about the story of "Las Marías", go to DISCOVER SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.






Carmen has also done some research on Trieste and published her findings in EXPLORING THE WORLD. Thank you, Carmen!

Discover Santiago de Comnpostela VIII: As Marías



Postcard 8 features “Las Marias” or “Two o´clock”, a bronze sculpture placed at the entrance of Alameda´s Park. It represents sisters  Coralia and Maruxa, real and popular characters in Santiago during the 60s for their eccentric and inappropriate clothings and makeup and their regular walks at two o´clock pm.


Exploring Places VII: Trieste (Italy)

Postcard 8 is heading to TRIESTE!

Triestre
WHERE IS TRIESTE?

Location of Italy

Location of Italy in Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastem Italy by the Adriatic Sea, it is the capital of the autonomus region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the Province of Trieste. It is placed near the border with Slovenia.Trieste´s population is approximately  200.000. The climate is mild and sunny with strong Mediterranean influences, but it can be severely affected by the  Bora, a dry and cold wind that can last for several days and reach speeds of up to 140 Km/h.

TRIESTE IS FAMOUS FOR...


Port of Trieste
Trieste was one of the oldest parts of the Habsburg Monarchy. In the 19th century, as a prosperous seaport in the Mediterranean región, it became the fourth largest city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Today, the city is one of the richest regions of Italy, and is a great centre for shipping, through its port, shipbuilding and financial services.

LANDMARKS

Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia



Piazza dell'Unitá d'Italia
It is the main city square and the largest in Europe with sea views. The famous square is surrounded by numerous palaces and public buildings, among others, the town hall of Trieste and the building of the Regional Council of Friuli -Venezia Giulia.


Miramare Castle

Miamare Castle
Miramare Castle was built from 1856 to 1860 for Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium.
The castle's grounds include an extensive cliff and seashore park of 22 hectares (54 acres) designed by the archduke. The grounds were completely re-landscaped to feature numerous tropical species of trees and plants.
Visitors to the castle will be able to see the following: Maximilian's chambers and those of his consort, Charlotte; the guest rooms; the information room telling the history of the castle and the park's construction; the Duke Amedeo of Aosta's apartment with furnishings from the 1930s in the Rationalist style. 



Drawing room at Miamare Castle
All the rooms still feature the original furnishings, ornaments, furniture and objects dating back to the middle of the 19th century. Particularly noteworthy are the music room where Charlotte used to play the fortepiano, now on show in room VII. In room XIX there are a series of paintings by Cesare dell'Acqua depicting the history of Miramare. Lastly, visitors may visit the throne room, which was recently restored to its former splendour.

Chiesa Serbo Ortodossa di San Spiridione


Chiesa Serbo Ortodossa di San Spiridione
The Serbian Orthodox temple of the Holy Trinity and St. Spyridon is the church of the Serbian Orthodox community of Trieste .
The architect Carlo Maciachini (1869) , built on the site of the former church of St. Spyridon of 1753 .
The architectural complex , located in the village Teresian near the Grand Canal , reflects a Byzantine style and is characterized by a dome highest of the four bell towers , for hemispherical caps and blue for the large mosaic decorations that adorn the exterior walls . Decorate the front nine large statues by the Milanese sculptor Emilio Bisi ( 1850-1920 ) .
The interior is lavishly decorated according to the canons Byzantines , all decorated with oil paintings imitating mosaic . In the presbytery they are located three altars . The great silver lamp hanging at the entrance is a gift of Tsar Paul I.


Chiesa Serbo Ortodossa di San Spiridione 
Revoltella Museum

Revoltella Museum
The Revoltella Museum is a modern art gallery founded in Trieste in 1872 by Baron Pasquale Revoltella. The baron, after he left his house to the city (located in Piazza Venezia) and all the works, furniture and books it contained.
The main building, designed by Friedrich Hitzig, was built in 1858. In order to expand the original collection in 1907 the city acquired the Brunner palace located nearby. The museum today is composed of three buildings with a total exhibition area of 4,000.
On permanent display today are about 350 paintings and sculptures. The Brunner palace host works of Italian authors.

LIFESTYLE

The population of Trieste enjoys a high standard of living. Commercial and industrial activities are linked to the port. Stresses shipbuilding. Trieste hosts a university and an internacionally renowned science center.
Nowadays, about 11.000 legal foreigners reside in Trieste and their number is still growing.


WANNA TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF TRIESTE? Watch this video!



Sources:

Thursday 5 November 2015

Stop 7: Marq-en-Baroeul (France)

Postcard 7 is off to Marq-en-Baroeul, a commune in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais (Northern France), 1235 kilometres away!



Susana de la Iglesia (advanced 1) has sent a postcard featuring the well known "Fogos de Apóstolo" (Saint James's Eve fireworks display) on July, 25.






If you want to learn about the location of Marq-en-Baroeul and what it is famous for, read the text that Susana has published on EXPLORING THE WORLD. If you prefer to read about Saint James's Day, then go to DISCOVER SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.

Thanks, Susana!

Discover Santiago de Compostela VII: Saint James's Day


Postcard 7 shows a spectacular view of the Cathedral on Saint James's Day (Día do Apóstolo Santiago), the biggest festival in Santiago de Compostela. It is celebrated every 25th of July with a light show and fireworks in Obradoiro Square. Locals and visitors gather at the Praza to enjoy the traditional fireworks and display projected on the façade of Santiago's Cathedral.