Valkenburg-Houthem, Netherlands - De Geul 1960s

Postcard

 

• Picture / Image:  Valkenburg - Houthem - De Geul
• Publisher:  Muva, Valkenburg
• Postally used:  yes
• Stamp:  Netherlands 12c. green definitives (x2)
• Postmark(s):  Valkenburg [date unclear]
• Sent to:  Cambridge, England
• Notes & Key words: 

------------------------------------------------

Postage & Packing:

UK (incl. IOM, CI & BFPO): 99p

Europe: £1.60

Rest of world (inc. USA etc): £2.75

No additional charges for more than one postcard. You can buy as many postcards from me as you like and you will just pay the fee above once. (If buying postcards with other things such as books, please contact or wait for invoice before paying).

Payment Methods:

UK - PayPal, Cheque (from UK bank) or postal order

Outside UK: PayPal or Google Checkout ONLY please.   NO non-UK currency checks or money orders (sorry).

NOTE: All postcards are sent in brand new stiffened envelopes which I have bought for the task. These are specially made to protect postcards and you may be able to re-use them. In addition there are other costs to sending so the above charge is not just for the stamp!

----------------------------------------------

Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information:

*************

Valkenburg aan de Geul (Limburgish: Valkeberg) is a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands.

Siege and conquest were characteristic of the history of Valkenburg. Each event is withheld, followed by subsequent restorations. This most definitely holds for the castle perched atop of a hill in the middle of the city, of which now only a ruin remains. In December 1672 it was destroyed, not to be rebuilt. Only two city gates (the Berkelpoort and the Grendelpoort) and a part of the citywalls survived destruction. Valkenburg is no longer a fortified city but retained its importance nevertheless.The rulers lineage has long been lost in the sands of time, but a long term legend of the Valkenburg residents is that each male of royal blood has a birth mark on his chest.

Nowadays Valkenburg is especially known for its touristic character. There are several attractions within walking distance of the city centre. To mention a few:

• the Valkenburg Holland Casino,
• the Steenkolenmijn,
• the Sauna & Welness resort Thermae 2000,
• the former marl quarries (with charcoal drawings, some of which date back to the time of the Romans).
• the Sint-Gerlachus church in Houthem Sint-Gerlach. (The only religious building with frescos (paintings on marl) in the Netherlands).

The present aim of Valkenburg is to move from mass-tourism for which it was famous during the seventies and eighties (with camping sites full of youths building their own constructions of beer crates) towards the attraction of the more elaborated tourist, who exhibits a more quiet and relaxed behaviour.

Valkenburg is situated in a beautiful part of the Netherlands which is perfectly suited for walks or (mountain) bike tours through the hilly terrain. Although the municipality Valkenburg aan de Geul only has about 18,000 inhabitants, it hosts about 1 million nights a year.

type=printed postcards

theme=topographical: rest of the world

sub-theme=europe

transportation type=netherlands

number of items=single

period=1945 - present

postage condition=posted