This post picks up from the EUROPA 2022 Stories and Myths A – K list left off. 

L

Latvia

2 stamps, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels, 2 sheets of 10

Feeding of Snakes | Zalkšu barošana (not sure if this is translating well.)
Feeding of snakes or respect for snakes in mythology is found in many peoples from ancient times – traditions mention that souls appear in the form of snakes. In the past, some mythologists thought that the cult of snakes originated from the cult of souls, but in Latvian mythology, grasses have nothing to do with ghosts or souls. All deities after old deceptions have been able to do good and evil to man, so they have been made favorable in various ways. The fact is only that the ancient Latvians kept the storks as guardians of cows and that The Mother of Milk herself sometimes appeared in the form of a sedentary, perhaps also a ladybug. 
Latvijas Pasts releases two stamps in the Single European Series, which this year tells about stories and myths

Emergence of Heavenly Father
There are many different stories about Heavenly Father in Latvian folklore – folk songs mention that he has a wide coat, wears a belt with a sword, white skirt and cane, but elsewhere he is also mentioned as a little man. Usually he rides on a horse, but often also rides in a sleigh and cart, while his horses also appear in other ways – like black dogs, black ravens and black bulls with white horns.
Latvijas Pasts releases two stamps in the Single European Series, which this year tells about stories and myths

Artist: Edgars Folks

Release date: April 8,  2022

Liechtenstein

2 stamps, souvenir sheet of 4, 3 FDCs, cancel 
offset 4-colour

• White Woman
• Der Tälibudel

The “White Woman” pops up in folklore across the world. She appears in a number of stories from Liechtenstein and normally seen as a neutral figure. Although her presence gives the onlooker a sense of unease, she isn’t intrinsically good or evil.  It’s interesting comparing folk tales about “White Woman”. You can see Canada’s take on “La Dame Blanche” here Things that go bump in Canada | Bitter Grounds Magazine. Skip down to series three. For a cross cultural look, Mary Ann Poll has an brief look at the myth  The White Lady: A Worldwide Legend | Mary Ann Poll. 

Der Tälibudel is a ghostly dog (or dog shaped specter) that haunts the alpine region. It’s eyes are “fiery red” and has been known to chase a shephard  out of their hut. This is an excerpt from a retelling of the tale:

As he looked around, almost fainting from fear and fatigue, he saw two fiery red eyes staring at him. The creature looked horrible: Two long ears, a dog’s snout and short hair could be seen on the head, but it had shaggy hair on its body and it walked upright on its hind legs like a human being.
p. 94 Legends of Liechtenstein, Otto Seger

If you’d like to track down more legends from Liechtenstein try this list 000A036041.pdf (bibliothek.li). It is in German, but easily understood with a minimum of effort. If you read German, Legends from Liechtenstein – eLiechtensteinensia (yumpu.com) is a full pdf of all the legends mentioned in 00A036041.pdf document. 

Designer: Eliane Schädler, Triesenberg
Artist Eliane Schädler is a graduate of the  Lucerne School of Design & Art. She attributes her love of illustrating from never leaving childhood. Schädler has illustrated (or contributed to) 8 books including “Liechtensteinische Sagen“, the book mentioned above. The single volume is in German, English, Russian and Chinese and richly illustrated by Schädler. You can download colouring pages free from her website: Ausmalbilder — Eliane Schädler (elianeschaedler.com)

Release date: March 7, 2022

Lithuania

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 sheets of 10

Eglė the Queen of Serpents & Fern Ring

Eglė is an incredibly sad story that has a lot of variations. 

One of the postage stamps issued by the Lithuanian Post today depicts one of the most famous Lithuanian folk tales “Eglė the Queen of Serpents”. Although more than a hundred variations of this fairy tale are counted, the main line of all is the same – in the form of Eglė and Žilvinas, who appears to others as a serpent, an unhappy love story that ended with the arrival of Žilvinas with a blood foam, and the transformation of Eglė and her children – Oak, Ash, Birch and Aspen – into trees. According to folklorists, this is one of the few Lithuanian fairy tales that ends unhappily. According to the sources, “Eglė the Queen of Serpents” was first published in 1837. Since then, the fairy tale has repeatedly turned into more than one book or performance, a sculpture dedicated to this legend still stands in palanga botanical garden. The latest postage stamps include Eglė the queen of serpents and a fern ring | Lithuania Post

This site fleshes the story out more EGLĖ THE QUEEN OF SERPENTS – Lithuanian Folk Stories (wordpress.com). 

… the fern ring blooms only on a magical night, once every 100 years, and it occurs only on the shortest night of the year, during the Festival of Dews. Finding a fern ring means great success – a person becomes omniscient and very happy. The latest postage stamps include Eglė the queen of serpents and a fern ring | Lithuania Post

If you’d like to explore Lithuanian folk tales, Lithuanian tales | True Lithuania is a pretty good starting point.  

Designer: G. Gruzdaitytė

Release date: April 29, 2022

Luxembourg

2 stamps, FDC, cancel

de Kropemann & Melusina 

Kropemann is such a popular myth in Luxembourg, there is a festival devoted to it. Kropemannsfest – ORT Guttland (visitguttland.lu)

… who or what is Kropemann? According to the legend he’s an underwater creature, and a kind of water spirit. He may look rather scary, but today he’s seen as protector of nature and the landscape of the Attert valley. He’s an ecological guardian to the land and water. ‘Kropemann’ rises from River Attert for celebration (luxtimes.lu)

The Kropemann legend (luxtimes.lu)

Melusina is another water creature. Her story will be familiar to many. 

The myth of Melusina tells the tale of the water goddess Melusina. Melusina was one of three daughters. She was born half fay and half human. When her mother punished her for wrongdoings against her father, Melusina was cursed to become a serpent from the waist down until she met a man who would marry her under the condition of never seeing her on Saturday and keeping his promise.  The Luxembourg’s claimed their ancestor, Siegfried, married this Goddess. He became enchanted with her when he met her in the forest and asked her hand in marriage, agreeing to not see her on Saturdays under any circumstance. She made their castle of Bock appear the morning after her wedding, as if by magic. THE LINE OF MELUSINA: JACQUETTA OF LUXEMBOURG | Venerable Vixens (wordpress.com)

She is ultimately betrayed by her husband who spies on her to find out why she disappears every Saturday. She leaves, cursing her husband telling him that anytime she is seen, there will be a new lord within the year.

Designer: Miriam Rosner

Release date: May 17, 2022

M

Madeira

2 stamps on souvenir sheet, maxi card, folder with stamps from Azores, Madeira & Portugal 

Legend of Machin
This legend tells the island of Madeira was discovered in 1377 by Robert Machin.  

[Machin] is alleged to have been an English squire, who, having conceived a violent passion for Anna d’Arset or Dorset, daughter of a powerful noble high in the favour of Edward III, fell into disgrace. The lovers, however, are said to have escaped from England; stormy weather drove their vessel out into the ocean, and after thirteen days, on 8 March 1344, they sighted a wooded island, and landed at a port which they named Machlco. While Machin and a few companions were on land the ship was once more driven out to sea. In her despair at this disaster Anna, already worn out by the fatigue of the voyage, died; her lover, after erecting a tomb to her memory, escaped with his surviving comrades to Morocco in a boat which they made from the trunk of a tree. The Moors received the castaways kindly, and enabled them to pass over to Spain, whence they returned to England. Another version of the legend makes Robert die of grief in the island. The story of the survivors is said to have encouraged Spanish and Portuguese adventurers to search for the island, which was finally discovered by Gonsolrei Zarco in 1419. Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Machin, Robert – Wikisource, the free online library

Illustrator: André Caetano
Caetano is known for his comic books & graphic novels. 
Designer: Carla Caraça Ramos
Ramos designed the EUROPA set for Azores, Madiera & Portugal, & worked  3 illustrators. The FDC illustration shares elements from the three myths. 

Release date: May 9, 2022

Malta

2 stamps, blocks, 2 sheets of 11, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, booklets

Calypso Cave & Legend of Speranza Cave

Calypso’s Cave is based on the myth of Odysseus and Calypso, a nymph who fell in love with him. According to Homer’s tale, Calypso imprisoned Odysseus for 7 years after he shipwrecked on her island.  She kept him until Zeus ordered her to release him, so he could continue his journey home.  If you visit Malta, you can travel to a spot identified as Calypso’s Cave:

If you head to Ramla l-Hamra beach, you can spot Calypso’s Cave up within the rock face. One version of the legend places Calypso on the island of Ogygia (Sicily), however the renowned Greek historian Callimachus places it on Gozo, Malta’s sister island. Malta Post 2022

 The second tale is derived from Naghrfu l-Leggendi Maltin by Guido Lanfranco. It talks about a young girl who took refuge in a cave to hide from 2 Corsairs (pirates/invaders). While there she prayed to Our Lady for protection. In answer to her prayers, a spider began weaving a web covering the cave’s entrance, thus tricking the two men into thinking no one had been in the cave in a long time. As a result, they left, never realising the girl was hidden inside.  The cave is located, on Malta, at L-Ghar ta’ Wied Speranz in Mosta.  

Designer: Fabio Agius 
Agius is co-creator of Wicked Comics. He has also designed the 2009 Cruise Line series for Malta Post

Release date: May 9, 2022

Moldovia

2 stamp, FDC, cancel, 2 sheets of 10

Legend of Moldova (Legenda Moldovei) & The Poor Man and the Dragons (Omul sărac și zmeii)
This legend makes two appearances in the EUROPA 2022 list. Both Moldavia and Romania issued stamps with this motif. 

The Legend of Moldova tells the story of Dragoş-Vodă and the founding myths of Moldovia.

I’m looking for a good translation for the Poor Man and the Dragons. This article, Poor man and kites | Moldovan folklore (folclor.net), doesn’t translate the best, but it is readable. In short the tale tells the story of a poor man (Lazăre) with a large family. He’s taken by a dragon to his home kingdom and assigned a number of tasks. The myth covers the various ways he outwits and frightens the dragons. He so terrified the dragons, they offered him a bag of money if he would never return to their land  and gave him a large bag of money to leave them along. This is pretty bad synopsis of the story, and I’ll work on finding a better translation.

Designer: Vladimir Melnic

Release date: April 29, 2022

Monaco

1 stamp
offset

François Grimaldi –  Malizia 1201 – 1309
Founder of the Grimaldi dynasty of Monaco in January 8, 1297

Civil strife in Genoa between the Guelph and Ghibelline families resulted in many taking refuge in Monaco, among them the Guelph family. Son of Otto Canella, Consul of Genoa in 1133, Grimaldo began the House of Grimaldi, the future ruling family of Monaco.

In 1297, François Grimaldi (“Malizia”, translated from Italian as “The Cunning”) disguised as a Franciscan monk alongside his cousin Rainier I and his men captured the fortress atop the Rock of Monaco. History of Monaco (monacodc.org)

Artist: Alain Giampaoli 

Release date: May 9, 2022

Montenegro

1 stamp, sheet of 8, FDC, cancel

Legend of Bukumir Lake

 The legend of Bukumirsko Lake – Hiking with me

The legend of lake Bukumir tells of the Illyrian tribe that inhabited the space of today’s Houses.

The tribe stood up to the evil dragon from the lake by burning a pile of trees on a nearby rock. When the rock was soaring with heat, they crashed it into the lake, which boiled over. A man on a white horse jumped out of the lake and cast a curse on the mutual extermination of Bukumir. The curse came true, and only stones remained around the lake, the so-called sprouts, as a memory of the Bukumirs.  Europa Stories and Myths “The Legend of Lake Bukumirski” – postacg.me

Designer: Adela Zejnilović

Release date: April 29, 2022

N

Netherlands 

2 stamps, sheet of 6, FDC, cancel, prestige booklet, folder
offset
The sheet includes the story and quotes from the booklet. 

Lady of Stavoren – Rich merchant’s wife
The story is also called the Haughty Wife, and serves as a cautionary tale.

The rich lady was not satisfied with what she had and sent a skipper with the task to return with whatever riches he could find. She looked down on the gold yellow grain that he brought back. Angry, she threw the golden ring from her finger into the sea. “When I ever find this ring again, I will fall into mendicancy”, she said. On one day she found her own golden ring in the freshly caught fish she had for dinner. Fate brought her poverty and she died from hunger, begging for a bit of grain. Stavoren | Stad aan het IJsselmeer | Friesland.nl

The saga of the ‘Female of Stavoren’ | History (historiek.net)
The statue depicted on the FDC and folder is a bronze statue by Pier Arjen de Groot. Erected in 1969, in port city Stavoren, Friesland. 

Illustrator: Toon Wegner (1926-2010)
Designer: Edwin van Gelder

Release date: May 9, 2022

North Macedonia

2 stamps, stamp on souvenir sheet

*Better image courtesy a reader. 

Labin is a young boy playing his flute on the shores of Lake Dojran. Taken by the magical sound produced by the kaval flute, the three fairies decided to come out of the lake. As Labin noticed their presence by the lakebed he instantly started to admire their beauty; and knowing that the magic power of the fairies was hidden in their cloaks, he stole them. Once the fairies realised that their cloaks were gone, they started searching for them, only to bump into Labin. In this very moment, both Labin and Dojrana fell in love. Labin returned the cloaks to the other sisters but kept Dojrana’s cloak to himself. Being in love, Dojrana decided to stay and live with him as time flew away. One day they decided to get married, and invite all their friends to the ceremony, who then requested the fairy to perform a magical dance. To do this performance, Labin handed over her cloak, Dojrana’s powers returned, making her vanish to the perplexity of the present guests. EUROPA Collections (posteurop.org)

Release date: May 10, 2022

Norway

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, collector’s set, souvenir pack, 2 maxi cards

Trolls & Hulder

Trolls, Hulders and Nisses: The Preternatural Creatures of Norwegian Folklore – #FolkloreThursday 

 Better images & details coming

Release date: April 22, 2022

P – R

Poland 

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 9
offset

The legend of Krak and the Wawel dragon

 We finally have a dragon! Yoair Blog – The world’s anthropology blog publication has an excellent synopsis of the tale and it’s variations. If you are interested in dragon myths, don’t miss Yoair’s page on the history of dragons and myths.   

The Wawel Dragon was a beast which lived in a den under Wawel Hill and terrorised all the inhabitants of King Krak’s town. They had to feed to the monster by giving him offerings of cattle, while other tales speak of that hellspawn eating nothing but virgins. No knight could vanquish the monster, until a young shoemaker Skuba outsmarted the Dragon. He stuffed a ram’s hide with sulphur and pitch, and put the doctored ram in front of the Dragon’s Den. The monster caught the bait and devoured the ram. Immediately, he felt a bad pain and burning in the throat. To quench his thirst, the Dragon started to drink from the Vistula River. However, as water cannot extinguish burning sulphur, the gases produced by the fires inside him made the beast explode. All the townsfolk revelled in the news and the heroic shoemaker was properly rewarded. To commemorate the vanquishing of the Dragon, Bronisław Chromy designed a sculpture of the beast which now stands by the river at the foot of Wawel, near the Dragon’s Den. The legend of the Wawel Dragon – Kraków Travel (krakow.travel)

Designer: Maciej Jędrysik
Jędrysik designed Poland’s 1st place winning 2020 Europa – Ancient Mail Routes issue.

Release date: April 21, 2022

Portugal

2 stamps on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, maxi card, folder with  stamps from Azores, Madeira & Portugal

Faith – Legend of the Miracle of Our Lady of Nazaré 
Dates to 1182

Legend of Nazaré (fleek.co)

Illustrator: Tiago da Silva
da Silva is an award winning artist/illustrator/video game art.  
Designer: Carla Caraça Ramos
Ramos designed the EUROPA set for Azores, Madeira & Portugal, & worked  3 illustrators. The FDC illustration shares elements from the three myths. 

Release date: May 9, 2022

Romania

2 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets of 4, 2 sheets of 6, FDC, cancel, souvenir album

Legend of the Moldavian Bulls
In „Legend of the Moldavian Bull” it is described the fight of the dismounting ruler Dragos Voda, with an ox, on the bank of a flowing water, in which, during the fight, the puppy named Molda drowned, to which he was very attached. According to the story, the water was named Moldova, later taken over by the land historically known as the Land of Moldova. Europe 2022, Stories and Myths – Romfilatelia – O lume intr-un timbru

Designer: Walter Riess 

Release date: April 8, 2022

Russia

offset

Ruslan i Lyudmila | Ruslan and Lyudmila by Aleksander Pushkin
“Ruslan and Lyudmila” Alexander Pushkin – read full text (aleksandr-pushkin.su)

The hero of the poem, Ruslan, is modeled on the traditional Russian epic hero. He faces many trials before rescuing his bride, Lyudmila, daughter of Grand Prince Vladimir of Kiev, who on her wedding night is kidnapped by the evil magician Chernomor. 
Ruslan and Lyudmila | poem by Pushkin | Britannica

Designer: V. Vatolina

Release date: January 20, 2022

S

San Marino

2 stamps, 2 sheets of 12, cancel
offset

Donkey and Bear or Marino and the Bear

Marino lived in the mountains with his donkey. One day, Marino left his donkey on the path while he went off to get a drink from a stream and pick a few berries. When he came back, his poor donkey had been killed and eaten by a bear. Instead of being angered, Marino patted the bear and asked it if it would like to take the place of his donkey. Marino fed the bear some of his berries and soon, the bear went from being violent to a gentle friend. 
San Marino participates with the story “Marino and the Bear” in the anthology of fairy tales from the world of Expo 2020 Dubai – europe-cities.com

Uses invisible yellow florescent ink. 

“The illustrations are realized using small handcrafted rubber-stamps, hand built and carved, engraved in “crepla” rubber, provided of a cardboard handle, inked in three tints (yellow, red blue) with linographic colors.”  Europa – Stories and myths – San Marino Philatelic Numismatic Office (ufn.sm)

Designer: Chiara Armellini

Release date: April 4, 2022

Serbia

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel

Drekavac (the Shrieker)

You have to look in the leaves to see the Drekavac lurking there. 

A drekavac (The yeller, drek, drekalo) is a creature of the night and graveyard, originating from south Slavic mythology. It is said to come about from the soul of a dead unbaptised child. Some believe it can only be killed or laid to rest if its soul finds peace; baptism being an accepted method to achieve this.

Many forms have been attributed to the drekavac, it may be possible that it switches between these forms. Those of a bird, dog, fox or a slender bodied baby with an out of proportion head have all been given. A reason for this may be the belief that when seen as a baby the drekavac predicts death but when seen as an animal it predicts cattle disease. Though another explanation for the variation may be different variant types for different regions. Features that remain constant are its height being above 1 metre and its horrifying scream. Drekavac – Mythical Creatures Guide

Designers: Zamurović brothers

Release date: May 6, 2022

Slovenia

2 stamps, FDC, cancel
4 colour offset

King Matjaž and Ajdovska Girl

King Matjaž was a capable ruler who was popular among his subjects. Because of his popularity, rival rulers conspired against him. They sent their armies to crush Matjaž, but he was swallowed up by Peca, a nearby mountain. He fell asleep in the bowels of the mountain, where he remains to this day. The legend states that the king will one day reawaken, heralding a new era of prosperity and happiness for Slovenia. Before that happens, however, his beard will have to encircle his table in depth of the mountain seven times.  The Legend of Slovenia’s Sleeping King – RTVSLO.si

According to local folklore, the maiden was a good-hearted villager who often guided travelers through snowstorms. Said to be a nymph or forest spirit in some renditions, she also had prophetic abilities and could foretell the fates of unborn babies. One day, she prophesized about a boy who would grow to become a hunter and catch the Zlatorog, or Goldenhorn, a mythical chamois buck with magical powers. Infuriated that she foresaw the death of the Zlatorog, legend says, the maiden’s siblings placed a curse on her. When she returned home on Mount Prisojnik, her body was transformed into stone. ‘Ajdovska Deklica’ (‘Heathen Maiden’) – Slovenia – Atlas Obscura

Designer: Zlatko Drčar

Release date: May 27, 20222

Slovakia

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxi card, booklet (I’m not sure if it’s a booklet. The original is Známkový zošítok)

Lomidrevo (also called Valibuk)
This is a lengthy tale about an unusual young man who went out into the world on a series of adventures.  The stories I found detailed a long, list of extraordinary adventures. He’s a bigger than life character. If you’d like to read some of the tale, check out Renegade Tribune’s page on Lomidrevo. The English translation is very readable. 

Designer: Martin Kellenberger
Kellenberger designed the 2007 Modra stamp.

Release date: May 2, 2022

Spain

1 stamp, souvenir sheet of 6 (there should be a FDC and cancel coming soon)

The sleeping dragon – Mallorca

This stamp depicts the Island of  Sa Dragonera, who’s silhouette resembles a dragon

… following the line of the myth that surrounds it, there are many small “dragons”, guardians of the area: the sargantanas or lizards of Lilford, endemic species of Mallorca and Menorca. They are similar to salamanders and during the warmer months can be seen as soon as they disembark on the most uninhabited islands in the area.

Sa Dragonera takes its name from its own silhouette. If you fly over the island, the image leaves no room for doubt showing the figure of a sleeping dragon. Stamps – Europe. Myths and legends. The sleeping dragon. Not good… (correos.es)

Sa Dragonera Natural Park, Mallorca | SeeMallorca.com
HOME | My Site (sadragonera.org)

Release date: May 9, 2022

Sweden

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet 
*** This stamp is part of a larger series featuring flowers native to Sweden. The bluebell stamp is the only official EUROPA entry.

Midsummer Myth – Bluebell Bellflower, or Harebell(Campanula rotundifolia)
Bluebells were voted Sweden’s national flower in 2021.

This year’s European theme among stamps is “Stories and myths”. What’s better for a foreign greeting than flower magic in midsummer night?Kristina Olofsdotter, Head of Stamps at PostNord Sweden.

Illustration booklet stamps: Anneli Frisk
Illustration coil stamps: Anna Handell
Typography: Henrik Karlsson

Release date: April 28, 2022

Switzerland

2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset

William Tell
William Tell — VARSY’S Legends of Switzerland (varsys.ch) 
A Brief History of the Legend of William Tell (theculturetrip.com)

Designer: Elena Knecht

Release date: May 5, 2022

T to V

Turkey

2 stamps, FDC, cancel

Köroglu 

Köroglu is a just, brave, courageous, warm hearted, faithful hero and folk poet in the tradition of the Turkish folk tale.In the stamp image, Koroglu was expressed on a rampant gray horse spreading its wings in a desire to avenge his father (Ürüşan baba), who had unjustly lost his eyes at the behest of the local ruler. While the ‘ram’s horn’ motif symbolizes the heroism of Köroglu, the ‘eye motif’ on the evil eye bead reminds of Köroglu’s father, who lost his eye due to horse selection. These motifs, which are embroidered into weavings and beads, also reflect Anatolian Aesthetics.
PTT Turkish Post office

Designer: Selçuk Ören Selçuk Ören | COMIC BOOK WRITER & ILLUSTRATOR (selcukoren.com)
Check out Ören’s website to see some of his great graphic novel artwork. 

Release date: May 9, 2022

Ukraine

It’s difficult to say when (or if) this stamp will be released. Ukraine post has indefinitely postponed future issues. 

Vatican

2 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, cancel
offset

Domenico Fontana (1543 – 1607) – Swiss engineer & architect

Fontana designed the Vatican Library (1587–90), the Acqua Felice (1587), and the present Lateran Palace, built on the ruins of the old medieval palace. He collaborated with Giacomo della Porta on the completion of St. Peter’s dome (1588–90) from Michelangelo’s model. His most famous undertaking was the removal of the Egyptian obelisk (brought to Rome in the 1st century CE) from its place in the circus of the Vatican and its erection in front of St. Peter’s (1586). Accused of misappropriating public money, Fontana was dismissed from his post in 1592 by Pope Clement VIII. He then became Royal Engineer at Naples to the count of Miranda (1592) and built the Palazzo Reale (1600–02). Domenico Fontana | Italian architect | Britannica

This pair of stamps is devoted to the Egyptian obelisk. 

… architect Domenico Fontana [was] entrusted the task … of removing the obelisk from the original site, of its transport [and errection)] in St. Peter’s Square, … It took 900 men and 140 horses to complete it. Also, in order to facilitate … raising the 327-ton monolith, the Pope issued an edict which forbade anyone to speak or enter the enclosure around the work area. The offenders … would be punished with death. Everything went smoothly until, on 10 September 1586, at the very end of the operation, a Ligurian sailor, …  Bresca da San Remo, realizing that the ropes holding the obelisk were about to break due to excessive tension, he shouted regardless of the papal warning: “Water on the ropes”. In fact, he knew very well that hemp, when wet, becomes shorter and more elastic. The architect immediately welcomed the suggestion and was able to happily conclude the work. The sailor was pardoned by the Pope, who not only honored him with the title of captain of the first papal regiment of the line, but also granted his family the privilege of supplying the Vatican with branches used for Palm Sunday. Annullo postale speciale in occasione (vaticanstate.va)

Design: Images used in the set are details of a fresco from the Sistine Rooms of the Vatican Museums, (created 1588 -1590) by C. Nebbia and G. Guerra.  They portray the Egyptian obelisk being moved to St. Peter’s Square

Release date: May 16, 2022

You can see last year’s here –  Europa 2021 Endangered Wildlife stamps | Bitter Grounds Magazine 

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