Maria Gern Pilgrimage Church

I received this card in a RR exchange (Austria x World # 40). It is a Roman Catholic Pilgrimage church in Berchtesgaden Municipality (Bavarian Alps), very close to Austrian border. In 1680 a small church was built with here, replacing a smaller chapel. The Statue of Virgin, which was attributed miraculous effect, attracted many pilgrims from Berchtesgaden, but also from Austria, in to such an extent that in 1691 a hostel for pilgrims and a corner shop with candles were established. There are many churches in Austria and Bavaria with Maria Gern name and about this one you can read more in German.
The stamp (ND 2015) shows a wasp spider (Wespenspinne) and have a face value of 80 euro-cents.

Thank You, Sarah !

Country: Germany (sent from Austria)

Description: Maria Gern Pilgrimage Church in Berchtesgaden

Location: here
Publisher: Werbeverlag Gorzinski

Beringen Church

This card came as a exchange Belgium x World in the forum RR section.

The main picture shows a Neo-Gothic style church called Sint-Pietersbandenkerk
(or St. Peter in Chains) and it is located in Beringen's Market Square.
The small pictures shows
1. Playground Leisure Resort (Recreatieoord "t Fonteintje") - location
2. Watersport Center (Watersportcentrum Paalse Plas) - location
3. Millennium Golf Park (near Watersport Center)
The stamp (2014) looks like the end-of-year gift, with value & year on the green ribbon. Very artistic.

Thank You, Bonnie !

Country: Belgium
Description: Sint-Pietersbandenkerk Church in Beringen, Belgium
Publisher: Unknown (due postcard decorations)
Location: church, playground and watersport center & golf park

UNESCO Paoay Church

Another great postcard came from a specific RR and it's my first from Philippines. The Paoay Church (1694 - 1710) is an example of an earthquake baroque architecture. It got huge wall reinforcements (14 buttresses) on the sides and back of the building as a response to earthquake threats in the area. The materials used for the walls were a mixture of coral stone and bricks. Large coral stones were used at the lower level of the walls, while bricks, smaller and more manageable to transport, were used at the upper levels. Inside, the church looks empty, austere and stark, with few old images of saints and a simple wooden cross at the altar. Unfortunately, the original ceiling is no longer in existence today. The church is complemented with a bell tower located at its right-hand side and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
The stamps are nice, even if they look simple.
The 1 peso stamp (2013) features a Pinecone Fish (Monocentrus japonicus), also called the Pineapple Fish.
The 10 pesos stamp (2014) evokes the Birth Centenary of Apolinario Mabini, a Filipino revolutionary leader, educator, lawyer and statesman. Artwork by Kenneth V. Cantimbuhan.

Thank You, Jessica !

Country: Philippines

Description: St. Augustine Baroque Church (Paoay) - UNESCO 677

Publisher: Sterling Paper

Photo: Vik Peñas
Location: Paoay, Ilocos Norte