A postcard from hand to heart

The postcard we are posting today has not travelled far, yet it is the most special postcard we have so far received!

It was written by our dear Diana Pastoriza, head of studies of the school of languages in Ribeira and originator and coordinator of Palabras da Man ao Corazón, a creative writing project that has engaged dozens of schools worldwide. Diana has chosen a lovely postcard featuring a wonderful illustration by Eva Rieiro of Viana do Bolo during Carnival time.

Viana do Bolo is a small town in the south east of Ourense. It is famous for its Entroido (Carnival in Galicia) and its “cigarróns”. Thanks a million, Diana! For many more adventures together!!

We have received a card from Stockholm, Sweden!

Hurray!

We have received a very nice card from the capital of Sweden, 2555 km away!

Thanks a million, Emma, for this nice view of Riddarholm Church, the burial church of the Swedish monarchs. Located on the island of Riddarholmen, which is very close to the Royal Palace, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city, parts of it dating back to the late 13th century. Thank you also for the stamp you've chosen, depicting the most famous Swedish actress of all time, Hollywood star, Ingrid Bergman.

Click here if you want to read more about this impressive church and here if you want to learn about Stockholm.

Next destination: Eden, Holland

Hi everyone!

Hope you have enjoyed Easter holidays and that you have recharged your batteries for the coming months! This last term opens with a postcard sent to Holland, more specifically to Eden, a town located in the centre of the country, 1470 km away!

We hope our friend Cees will like this postcard of Praterías Square and the beautiful Baroque façade of the Casa do Cabildo.

Luis, an intermediate 2 student, has written a brief text describing this gem of a building. You can read about it in DISCOVER SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA. Thanks, Luis!

Discover Santiago de Compostela XVII. Casa do Cabildo in Praterías Square

Casa do Cabildo is considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Galicia. This impressive house was designed by Clemente Fernández Valera in 1758 and is renowned for its exquisite facade that encloses the Praza das Praterías. It was restored by the Santiago Consortium in 2011 and since then has formed part of the network of museums in the historic city.

Discover Santiago de Compostela XVI: Apostle Saint James

This postcard features a magnificent thirteenth century statue of the seated Saint James dressed in what appears to be a pilgrim's outfit. You can find it in the High Chapel (Capela Maior) of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Click here to find out more about the apostle after whom our city is named.

Card 16 is off to Yessentuki, Russia!

Another card has been sent to Russia! Its destination is Yessentuki, a city located in the southwestern part of the country, more than 4,000 km away!

Did you know that Yessentuki is considered the cultural capital of Russia’s Greek population? Even nowadays more than 10% percent of its population is of Greek descent. Yessentuki is also famous for its mineral springs, most of which are of medical value. It was thanks to Anabel, an advanced 1 student, that we know these curious facts about our next stop!

Photo by Maxim Yashin

Photo by Maxim Yashinn

Anabel has chosen a postcard featuring the magnificent thirteenth century statue of the seated Saint James dressed in what appears to be a pilgrim's outfit.

Hope our friend Anastacia likes it! Thanks a million, Anabel!

Postcard 15 is on its way to Ramenskoye, Russia

Postcard 15 is off to Ramenskoye, a town located just 46 kilometres southeast of Moscow.

We hope our Russian friend Ksenya will like this card featuring a magnificent monumental site in the historic old town of Santiago, San Martiño Pinario Seminary.

As Carlos explains in his postcard, San Martiño Pinario was formerly a monastery (the largest and most influential Benedictine monastery in Galicia and the second largest in all Spain after El Escorial!) Nowadays, it is the seat of the seminar and houses a museum of religious art. If you want to find out more about this landmark, visit our section DISCOVER SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA. Thank you for your effort, Carlos!