Postcards from the world

10 октября 2018

INDONESIA - Dayak People Ritual

The Dayak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, each with its own dialects, customs, laws, territory and culture.

AZERBAIJAN - Baku | Divankhana Portal and Maiden Tower

The Maiden Tower is a 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku. It's the legendary place and the world-famous landmark. The Tower is covered by cloud of mysteries and legends.

This is UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ARMENIA - Mount Ararat and Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plain near the closed border with Turkey.

Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor Virap by Nerses III the Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Now, regular church services are held in this church. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia.

ABKHAZIA - Lake Ritsa

Republic of Abkhazia is unrecognized country, so stamps from there are really unique and hard to get.

Lake Ritsa is a true pearl of Caucasus Mountains. It is surrounded by mixed mountain forest. Its water is clear and cold. In 1930 the Ritsa Nature Reserve was estabilished to protect the natural state of the lake and the surrounding land.