Aphrodite of Cyprus

Near Palaepaphos (Old Paphos) at the seaside of Petra tou Romiou is the modern mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and the founding myth is interwoven with the goddess at every level, so that Old Paphos became the most famous and important place for worshipping Aphrodite in the ancient world. In Greco-Roman times, Paphos was the island's capital, and it is well known for the remains of the Roman governor's palace, where extensive, fine mosaics are a major tourist attraction. Paul the Apostle visited the town during the first century AD. The town of Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage.

Archaeologists report that the site of Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's mythical birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century BC.

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks to a dear friend Simona for this awesome historical postcard from Cyprus.

Makes me feel overwhelmed at the historical significance of this site. Jealous of you

Simo!

Sent: 27 May 2015   Received: 7 August 2015   Travelled:72days

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum  is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.

It was for centuries the center of Roman public life: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history.

Many of the oldest and most important structures of the ancient city were located on or near the Forum. The Roman kingdom's earliest shrines and temples were located on the southeastern edge. These included the ancient former royal residence, the Regia (8th century BC), and the Temple of Vesta (7th century BC), as well as the surrounding complex of the Vestal Virgins, all of which were rebuilt after the rise of imperial Rome. A holiday of this name is still celebrated in the city of Groningen on 28 August to commemorate the breaking of the siege.
Souce: Wikipedia

The Roman Forum. You cannot imagine the joy I had of being in a place steep with 

ancient history and being in a place I had only ever read about in the encylopedia.

Thank you so much Elisabetta!

Sent: 8 July 2015   Received: 4 August 2015   Travelled: 27 days

Heraclea Luncestis

Heraclea was a strategically important town during the Hellenistic period, as it was at the edge of Macedon's border with Epirus to the west, and to the non-Greek world to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The Romans divided Macedonia into 4 regions and Heraclea was in the fourth region. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road. Objects discovered from the time of Roman rule in Heraclea are: Votive monuments, a portico, thermae (baths), a theatre and town walls. In the early Christian period, Heraclea was an important Episcopal seat. Some of its bishops are mentioned in synods in Serdica and other nearby towns. From this period are the ensembles of the Small and Great (Large, Big) basilica. The Grave (Funeral) basilica with a necropolis is located east of the theatre.
After a heavy earthquake struck the city in the early 6th. century AD, its inhabitants gradually abandoned it. Circa 585 the devastated area was finally captured by the Slavs.

I visited this place when I was in Bitola, it was too bad that I couldn't take pictures
like I did in Pompeii but getting a postcard from a place I've been is just awesome!
Thank you Martina for this card! 

Sent: 30 January 2014
Received: 11 February 2014
Travelled: 12 days

Gamzigrad, Serbia

Gamzigrad is an archaeological site, spa resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Serbia,located south of the Danube river, near the city of Zaječar. It is the location of the ancient Roman complex of palaces and temples Felix Romuliana, built by Emperor Galerius. The main area covers 10 acres (40,000 m2).

 

Thank you Boban for this amazing card from Serbia! It reminds me of my visit to Pompeii. I love exploring old ruins and stepping back into time whenever I visit a Roman ruin.

 

Sent: 2 December 2012
Received: 8 January 2013
Travelled: 36 days