Catalog number: FPL02HB

Philatelic Commemorative Sheet - Terraces in Handan and Bojnice Castle

Philatelic Commemorative Sheet Slovakia 2002 - Chinese Stamp Issue "Terraces in Handan and Bojnice Castle"

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Philatelic Commemorative Sheet Slovakia 2002 - Chinese Stamp Issue "Terraces in Handan and Bojnice Castle"
Author: acad. painter Rudolf Cigánik
Issue number: 006 PaL 273 / 02
Date of issue: 12.10.2002

Specification:
The joint Slovak-Chinese issue consists of a pair of stamps depicting ancient castle architecture. The castle architecture of China is represented by the architectural complex Terraces in Handan (Hebei Province in northern China), which was the capital of the kingdom during the Zhou dynasty (2300 years ago) and is one of the 99 ancient historical and cultural sites of the country. During the Zhou dynasty, several elevated terraces were built here, and pavilions were constructed on their tops. Only one of the terraces has survived to this day. 400 years ago, the pavilions were reconstructed and repeatedly renovated in subsequent periods. They represent a unique style of classical Chinese pavilion and terrace architecture. European architecture of historical styles is represented by Bojnice Castle. The first written mention of the castle is from 1113. Originally a Gothic fortress, it was rebuilt into a Renaissance noble residence. The last owner of the castle, Count Ján Pálffy, reconstructed the castle in the romantic style of the 19th century. He drew inspiration from the castles on the Loire River in France, Renaissance palaces in Venice, and Tyrolean Gothic. Bojnice Castle is one of the most attractive cultural monuments in Central Europe. In China and Slovakia, two almost identical stamps are issued according to the design of Slovak artist Rudolf Cigánik, who won an international competition. source: pofis.sk