ITALY ~ Historic centre of Siena - UNESCO ~

...Beuatiful view of a small town in the heart of Tuscany... the historic centre of Siena, which has remained intact for centuries, appears today almost as it did in the fourteenth century... it feel as if you’ve been transported right back to the Middle Ages... a sea of terracotta-toned houses and gigantic sights... especially the Cathedral rising majestically in the city square....the Duomo di Siena is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that attracts many visitors from around the world.... this stunning cathedral is filled with artistic treasures and rich history... Thanks a lot Ben & Loes!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Studio Donati
Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c. 900–400 BC) when it was inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. A Roman town called Saena Julia was founded at the site in the time of the Emperor Augustus.

The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking center until the 13th and 14th centuries.Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472. 

The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1995.

 

Stamp:

Toscana 

(stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)". You can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes)

ITALY ~ San Gimignano - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

... What a coincidence... just a few days ago I posted an illustrated postcard of this place and now I got this lovely surprise in my mailbox😍... a great panoramic *real* picture view and even with the same stamp... had just to copy and past from my last postcard😉:

... a beautiful town surrounded by 13th century walls perchesd high on a 300m steep hill... even from afar, you can tell what makes San Gimignano so special... the 14 majestic towers rise above its palaces up into the sky... they really look like skyscrapers, but almost without any windows... for this reason, the city carries the nickname "the Manhattan of the Middle Ages"... the Torre Grossa (meaning ‘big tower’) stands at 54 meters and is the tallest tower in San Gimignano... it can be climbed and provides a 360-degree view of San Gimignano and the stunning surrounding valley... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿◠‿◠)

San Gimignano was originally an Etruscan and then Roman settlemen. In time, it became a feudal domain of the bishops of Volterra and gained independence in 1199. The city is named after Saint Geminianus, who defended it from Attila the Hun in the mid 5th century. 

In the 14th century, the noble families and upper middle-class merchants began building many fortified tower houses (probably as many as 72) to show their wealth and power. 

 San Gimignano has been a UNESCO site since 1990.

Stamp: 

Toscana

Stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)" but you can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes.

ITALY ~ Tower of Pisa - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

.. Lovely illustrated view of "The Leaning Tower", one of Italy’s most famous landmarks... and one of the most remarkable architectural structures from medieval Europe... a true jewel of Romanesque art... it’s all limestone structures coated in white marble and it looks stunning... the tower has eight stories, including the chamber for the bells... adorned with arches and columns, are a testament to the craftsmanship of the time... there is a 297 step spiral staircase inside the tower leading to the top... it’s a steep climb but the views from the top are definitely worth it... Bedankt Ben en Loes!(✿ ♥‿♥)

 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually just one of several buildings contained within a complex commonly referred to as the "Field of Miracles" located in the Piazza Del Duomo.

The construction of the Tower began in 1173 and  continued for about 200 years before it was completed in 1372 due to the onset of a series of wars.

Builders started observing the lean a mere five years after construction began. When construction resumed in 1272, they began building one side of the tower taller than the other to correct the lean (this is why I said it’s nearly symmetrical). Finally, the tower was finished with the top floor again being angled to prevent further leaning.

In 1987, Piazza Del Duomo became a UNESCO WHS site.
 

Stamp: 

Toscana

ITALY ~ San Gimignano - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

... Nice illustrated view of a beautiful town surrounded by 13th century walls perchesd high on a 300m steep hill... even from afar, you can tell what makes San Gimignano so special... the 14 majestic towers rise above its palaces up into the sky... they really look like skyscrapers, but almost without any windows... for this reason, the city carries the nickname "the Manhattan of the Middle Ages"... the two main churches contain a series of masterpieces of 14th and 15th-century Italian Renaissance art in their original architectural settings... the Torre Grossa (meaning ‘big tower’) stands at 54 meters and is the tallest tower in San Gimignano... it can be climbed and provides a 360-degree view of San Gimignano and the stunning surrounding valley... Thanks a lot Ben en Loes! (✿◠‿◠) 

San Gimignano was originally an Etruscan and then Roman settlemen. In time, it became a feudal domain of the bishops of Volterra and gained independence in 1199. The city is named after Saint Geminianus, who defended it from Attila the Hun in the mid 5th century.

In the 14th century, the noble families and upper middle-class merchants began building many fortified tower houses (probably as many as 72) to show their wealth and power. 

San Gimignano has been a UNESCO site since 1990.

 

Stamp: 

Toscana

ITALY ~ Florence - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful illustrated views of Florence, one the most visited cities in the world... there’s no better place for Renaissance art and architecture... with its churches, palaces and museums that bear witness to the glorious past of this city... a place where beauty dominates... it boasts one of the oldest historic centres and some of the most famous museums in the world... you can see the major architectural wonders, marvel at masterpieces of Western art... as well as one of the most iconic and distinctive landscapes as far as the eye can see... with stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)" but you can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes...  Heel Erg Bedankt Loes en Ben! (✿ ♥‿♥)

"Basilica of the Holy Cross - Palazzo Vecchio - Florence Cathedral"

Florence is the capital city of the region of Tuscany. The city was a center of medieval European trade and finance. It is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Among the most famous of the city’s cultural giants are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, Galileo, and its most-renowned rulers, generations of the Medici family,  one of European history's most important noble families. Lorenzo de' Medici was considered a political and cultural mastermind of Italy in the late 15th century. 

Its historic centre was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1982.
 

Stamp:

Toscana

ITALY ~ Fountain of Diana - Syracuse - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful fountain view by night... the highlight of Piazza Archimede square is this famous art nouveau fountain... in the center of the fountain is a magnificent statue of Diana - hunter, surrounded by sirens and tritons... it is also known as the Fountain of Artemis, as the original Greek name for the Roman goddess Diana was Artemis... located on Ortigia Island, the Heart and oldest part of the beautiful city of Siracusa... well known for its remarkable historical heritage... Thanks a lot Mario!【ツ】

The Artemis Fountain was created by sculptor Giulio Mosketti in 1906 using reinforced concrete.  It is dedicated to the myth of the nymph Aretuza, which turned into the goddess Artemis, called Diana in the Roman pantheon.

The fountain includes a triton and a mermaid with a child on her lap riding sea monsters, and also includes Arethusa and Alpheus (Diana is helping Arethusa to escape unwanted attention from Alpheus, who fell in love with her after seeing her bathing nude in a stream).

Syracuse was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2005.  

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of AISM - Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society  

(Issued 09-11-2018)

ITALY ~ Monte Croce di Muggio - Alta Badia - South Tyrol - Dolemites - UNESCO ~

... Spectacular mountain view... Monte Croce di Muggio is a mountain of Lombardy with an elevation of 1,799 m... it is located near Lake Como, close to the city of Bellano... there's a hiking trail leading to the summit with beautiful panoramic 360° views over the mountains, lake and valley... Alta Badia is one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites for hiking... a system of chairlifts and gondolas across Alta Badia makes hiking extremely accessible... it is also known as a skier’s paradise in the heart of the Dolomites... Bedankt Ben &Loes! (✿◠‿◠)

South Tyrol is Italy's northern most province, a sunny region in the Italian Alps, bordering Austria and Switzerland.

The Dolomites are a limestone mountain range, that is known for its natural beauty in the form of steep cliffs, pinnacles and ravines. They form part of the Alps.

In 2009 the Dolomites were put on the UNESCO list of the world's protected natural paradises and since then, officially rank among the most beautiful mountains in the world.

 

Stamp: 

Italian Squares

(Issued 02-07-2016)

ITALY ~ Mount Etna - Catania - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful aerial view of the Gulf of Catania with the spectacular Mount Etna in the background... the highest volcano in Europe, and one of most active of the world dominating the east coast of Sicily... Mt. Etna is an active and constantly changing volcano... a mystery of nature that fascinates everyone with its explosions, the high lava fountains and  earthquakes... and has always aroused the interest of scientists along with the curiosity of visitors from all over the world...  the most requested activity is no doubt the excursion to the craters, to be done safely with the help of expert guides and with appropriate clothing... with great matching "Etna National Park" stamp👍... the first and largest national park in Sicily, dedicated to maintaining safe access to the towering volcano and offering a rich natural environment... Thanks a lot Beate! (✿◠‿◠)

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily sliding into the Mediterranean Sea, close to Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. 

Mount Etna is about 3,350 meters high and covers an area of 1,190 km2  with a basal circumference of about 150 km. Various volcanic phenomena such as craters, lava caves, lava flows and cinder cones are clearly visible. Etna has been an active volcano for more than 2.5 million years. 

The name comes from the Greek Aitne, from aithō, "I burn".

 Mount Etna was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. 

Stamp: 

Natural and Landscape Heritage 

(Issued 23-05-2014)

ITALY ~ Sila National Park - Calabria ~

... Great new National Park for my collection👍...  as the “Green Heart of Calabria,” Sila National Park is a stronghold for a variety of rare flora and fauna in the region... it's one of Italy's most heavily wooded areas... approximately 80 percent of the Park is forested... Sila is also noted for its lakes and beautiful contrasting landscapes with quaint and welcoming villages... it's a high plateau with wide horizons, rich in flowing waters, having a fresh and healthy climate... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Sila National Park is an area of protected countryside located in the region of Calabria in southern Italy. It covers an area of approximately 737 km² and was established in 1997, replacing the old Calabria National Park together with the Aspromonte National Park.

Geographically, Sila National Park can be split into three regions: Sila Grande (Large Sila), Sila Greca (Greek Sila), and Sila Piccola (Small Sila). 

.

Stamp:

The 1600th Anniversary of the Founding of Venice 

(Issued 25-03-2021)

ITALY ~ Sanctuary of Oropa - UNESCO ~

 ... Lovely postcard from the most important and largest spiritual sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary found in the Alps... set in a valley against a backdrop of the majestic Alps at an altitude of 1,200 m... an ancient basilica and the restored grounds of a former monastery... the statue of the black Madonna  carved in Swiss pinewood has always been venerated; several miracles and protections are attributed to the Virgin of Oropa... it is still a very important Italian pilgrimage destination with a reputation for providing relief to the sick... more than 800,000 pilgrims visit Oropa each year... and with great matching stamp👍...Thanks Teresa!【ツ】

The Sanctuary of Oropa is located in Oropa city in Piemonte region.

It's a Roman Catholic devotional complex and the construction began in 1617 near to the pre-existing Black Virgin of Oporo. The 12 chapels (plus another seven nearby) are united by a devotional path, and inside these chapels scenes from the story of the life of the Virgin are represented.

Oropa is one of the nine sites on the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy on the UNESCO list  since 2003.

Stamp:

Italian Artistic and Cultural Heritage 

Sanctuary of Oropa 

(Issued 29-08-2021)

ITALY ~ The Basilica of San Zeno - Verona - UNESCO ~

...  Lovely view of one of the oldest Italian churches... beautifully restored and a stunning example of typical Romanesque architecture... with an amazing original brass door... fantastic Romanesque interior... high-quality medieval frescoes... a lovely cloister and great carving inside and out... its crypt was the place of the marriage of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet💞... it's one of the  “4 Historic Churches in Verona”... you have to walk a little out from the main historical area of Verona to find it... but it's well worth the effort... San Zeno is one of Verona's finest treasures and a must see... Thanks a lot Luca!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore was constructed between 967 and 1398 AD and was built on the site where Saint Zeno was buried after his death in 371. Zeno of Verona was the eighth bishop of Verona. The Basilica was built with distinctive cream-colored tuff.

On the left, the early 13thC monastery is built with red brick. To the right of the Basilica is a slender 12thC bell tower.

 The city of Verona has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 2000.

 Stamp:

Parks and Botanical Gardens

(Issued 12-08-2015)

ITALY ~ Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park - Veneto - UNESCO ~

... A nice postcard showing a "sister park" of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park... the Omora Park in Navarrino Island (Chile)... the twinning linked to the emigration of people from Belluno and from Venetia in the world led to the creation of "sister park" relationships... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella!【ツ】

The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park is located in the West Dolomites in the northern part of the country and covers an area of 32 km².

The park is home to the Dolomites which actually extend well beyond the boundaries of the national park. It is one of the smallest parks among the 25 national parks of Italy.

The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009.

Stamp:

Italian Squares

(Issued 02-07-2016)

 

SPAIN ~ Miravet Castle - Tarragona - Catalonia ~

.... Nice view of a small historical town built on a steep rock above the river with an ancient castle towering overhead.... the village and this well-preserved medieval castle is Arab in origin and later transformed into a fortress-monastery by the Order of the Knights Templar... built on an excellent vantage point it is one of the best examples of  Romanesque, religious and military, architecture of the Order of the Templars in Western Europe... it is considered to be the largest fortified complex in Catalonia... this castle has so much history and it comes with a bonus... from the towers you have amazing views of the surrounding countryside and river Ebro... Thanks a lot Josep & Assumpta! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀ 

Miravet is a municipality in the comarca of Ribera d'Ebre in the Province of Tarragona in Southern Catalonia.

After its conquest in 1153, the castle ended up in hands of the Christians. After Christians, it has been given to Pere de Rovira, master of the Knights Templar. Under Knights Templar’s power, the castle has been reconstructed becoming one of the main centers of Christian power on the Iberian Peninsula.

The castle complex includes spaces and rooms that are clear proof of the economic independence of Templars: a bedroom, stables, refectory, storerooms, granary and wine cellar, storage rooms, shops, a large kitchen, a dining room... In total, there are 15 rooms.  Highlights include the hall, which is reached through a door with a horseshoe arch; and the church, dedicated to Sant Martí, which is in the Romanesque style.(13th C) 

Stamp:

Personalities: Margarita Salas

(Issued 29-06-2021)

Italy ~ Castel Del Monte - Puglia - UNESCO ~

....  Impressive view of an octagonal fortress with eight matching octagonal towers... .built on a hill, you can see the castle from afar, towering above the endless number of olive trees... the inside of the castle is slightly disappointing, since it's completely empty, but the sight of it from far away as you approach it is spectacular...  one of the most important monuments of the Middle Ages in Italy, located in the heart of Puglia... a treasure of beauty and mystery to explore... “Castle of the Mountain” is a unique piece of medieval architecture... a blend of classic, Gothic, and Islamic influences...  it looks like a crown, and in a sense that's probably what it is: a symbol of  Emperor Frederick's status and power... Big Thanks Gian Luca and Rafaella for 3 more wonderful UNESCO sites!💜

©Ph. Michele Schirone
Castel Del Monte was built by  Emperor Frederick II von Hohenstaufen. He was a man of many talents: an absolute monarch but also a great lover of culture. He spoke several languages and was interested in mathematics, astronomy and natural sciences. His stay in the Middle East (for the Crusades) heavily influenced his thinking. The castle dates from 1240. After Frederick's death, it slowly fell into great disrepair. The mosaics and statues that have decorated the interior, were looted.

Whether or not the structure was erected as a defensive fortress is still up for debate. There is no moat or drawbridge to fend off potential invader however, it’s speculated that there was once a defensive wall with bastions surrounding the castle.

It was declared a UNESCO WHS site in 1996.

 

Stamp: 

Matera - European Capital of Culture

(04-03-2019)

ITALY ~The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera - UNESCO ~

... Plenty of lovely views showing the best surviving and most complete examples of rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean region... known as “The Stone City” and “The City of Caves”... the city has quite literally been dug out of the rock.... the place has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and you can feel the history of the place when you stand above the huge canyon and see the houses and churches hewn into the rock... it’s often used to film movies set in biblical times... Matera is the 3rd oldest city in the world  after Aleppo and Jericho... the houses in the Sassi were abandoned starting in 1952 when the government forcibly relocated the population to more modern developments in the city... people were living in extremely poor hygienic circumstances...  today, many of them have been transformed into hotels and accommodation facilities, giving the chance to tourists to experience the atmosphere of life in a cave... with matching stamp👍 Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella for UNESCO site nr 2! (✿ ♥‿♥)

The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera contains a complex of houses, churches, monasteries and hermitages built into the natural caves of the Murgia, a limestone plateau characterized by deep cracks, ravines, rocks and caves. The site covers an area of 1,016 hectares with more than 1,000 dwellings and several shops and workshops. You can see the simple forms of the Neolithic caves where people lived 7000 years ago.

The Park of the Rupestrian Churches includes more than 150 examples of these buildings, which can be traced back to medieval monastic culture, starting in the 8th C. They often include frescoes or bas-reliefs, and represent an important sacred art heritage.

The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera were named a UNESCO WHS in 1993. 

 

Stamp:

Matera - European Capital of Culture 

(04-03-2019)

ITALY ~ The Trulli of Alberobello - Puglia - UNESCO ~

...More beautiful cards from traveling postcard friends❤️... lovely views of one of the most famous towns in the Puglia region... Alberobello has an impressive architectural style and shelters the largest collection of original trulli houses in the world... a unique and authentic building method was used for its construction... small distinctive mortarless round stone houses with conical roofs structures known as "Trulli".... ancient architectural wonders... today, the surviving trulli are often bought and restored for general use by foreigners... others are filled with gift shops, guesthouses and cafes... many of them have rooftop decks that you can visit... a very interesting thing about the trulli houses is the fact that their roofs are decorated with many symbols...  all these different symbols actually represent magical, religious and spiritual beliefs and astrology signs... to me they look look like little homes for elves😊... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

The first records of Trulli being built in Puglia date from around the 14thC. The likely reason for their design was to create housing that could be easily demolished, enabling the feudal lord to avoid paying taxes on new settlements as well as making it easy to remove unwanted tenants. The trulli of Alberobello represent a dry-stone building tradition, several thousand years old, found across the Mediterranean region.

There are two possible origins of the word trulo. It might come from the Greek word tholos which means dome or from the Latin words trullum or turris which mean tower. Both variants perfectly describe the shape of the conical roofs of the houses. 

Alberobello’s trulli became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.  

Stamp:

Sports - UEFA EURO-2020 

(Issued 1106-2021)

ITALY ~ Gargano National Park - Plugia ~

... Great view of the San Felice Arch... one of the most famous and fascinating wonders of the Gargano... an arch carved into the rocks by the sea... the Gargano National Park is well worth exploring, with its ancient forests and islands bathed in crystal-clear waters... much of the appeal of the region is the chance to combine a visit to the coast with the opportunity to enjoy attractive scenery... and explore historic towns and villages... this National Park is one of the richest places in terms of biodiversity and is characterized by many different and rare habitats, most of these are protected.... called the "Spur" in the heel of Italy’s boot... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella!【ツ】 

The Gargano is entirely located in the province of Foggia in southern Italy on the Adriatic cost. Most of the upland area, about 1,200 km2  is part of the Gargano National Park, founded in 1991.

Aside from the Gargano promontory from which it takes its name, it includes includes the Foresta Umbra (Umbra Forest), the archipelago of Tremiti Islands and the wetlands Lago Salso.

Stamp:  

Matera - European Capital of Culture 

(Issued 04-03-2019)

ITALY ~ Temple of Athena - Paestum - Cilento National Park - UNESCO ~

... Mystic sunset view of a structure from over 2500 years ago... Paestum is a city of three Greek temple ruins... these temples remain a symbol of the workmanship, intelligence and magnificence of the Greeks... they are really striking in size, detail and well preserved... history mixed with nature... Thanks a lot Paola!ツ

Paestum is an ancient Greek city, located on the  Mediterranean Sea in the Cilento area of southern Italy.  

The Temple of Athena/Temple of Ceres, is the smallest, built 510BC, it has six columns front and back and thirteen down the sides and the interior measures 14.5 metres x 33 metres. This temple was later used as a Christian church.

Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park is a national park in the Province of Salerno. It includes much of the Cilento, the Vallo di Diano and the Monti Alburni and  was founded in 1991. It is the second largest park in Italy

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula became a UNESCO WHS site in 1998.

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Zeno Colò 

(Issued 30-06-2020)

ITALY ~ St. Patrick's Well - Orvieto - Umbria ~

... Great Italian postcard nr 2... an astounding, engineering marvel windowed well... built on a massive limestone overlooking a valley, to store up water... the "Pozzo di San Patrizio" is one of the most famous attractions in this small Umbrian town... the visitor goes down 248 steps down the viral staircase then ascends the same number up a different stair... each has windows into the well shaft giving the impression of an underground tower... looking up the central well shaft is amazing... fascinating to think that donkeys used to go up and down these steps as well as townspeople carrying water... Big Thanks Gian Luca and Raffaella for two wonderful postcards! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

An inscription at the entrance to the well, in Latin, translates as "what nature did not provide, industry has procured".

 St Patrick’s Well was commissioned by orders of Pope Clement VII of the Medicis in order to provide water for the town in the event of a siege. 

It was designed by Antonio da Sangallo and construction completed in 1537. It is 13 metres wide and 53 metres deep and the well shaft is lit by 72 windows. 

Two spiral staircases, each with 248 steps, wind around the cylindrical well shaft. They were designed as a double helix so that those descending to collect water,  did not meet those ascending with their heavy load.

The well of the Rocca, this was its name in the beginning, only took the proverbial name of San Patrizio in the 19thC, when the fortress had lost its military function. The name of the Well has no connection with local characters, but refers to the Irish abyss where St. Patrick used to pray.

Stamp:

Football Players - The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Valentino Mazzola

(Issued 26-01-2019)

ITALY ~ Civita di Bagnoregio - Tuscia ~

... Spectacular view of one of the most magical and charming little towns in Italy... known as the "Dying City"” because its friable, volcanic base continues slowly crumbling into the valley... experts believe that Civita di Bagnoregio is just one-third of its original size... only a handful of residents lives here year-round... tourism has turned Civita into an open-air museum... more than 700,000 people visit it each year... because of its location the city has remained isolated and protected... its stone streets and buildings are wonderfully well preserved...  history lovers can take a trip back in time... the only way into this little town is by a 300m long steep footbridge which leads you to the entrance through Civita’s impressive town Gate... because of its location, it’s the only Italian town with an entrance fee... the erosion around the city is extreme, and the cost to keep the city standing is quite high... to better address its never-ending battle with the forces of nature, Civita di Bagnoregio became the first (and only) Italian town to charge an entrance fee.... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Civita di Bagnoregio is located at 443 meters above sea level in the Province of Viterbo in central Italy and was founded by Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago.

Between the fifth and eighth centuries, Civita was almost continually subjected to siege, changing hands numerous times. It was first occupied by the Goths, then the Byzantines, followed by the Lombards, before becoming part of the Papal States in 774.

Stamp:

Football Players - The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Valentino Mazzola

(Issued 26-01-2019)