Bitburg is an ancient city with roots going back 2000 years. It was a stopover for traffic from Lyon through Metz and Trier to Cologne. The first time it is mentioned in documents is around 330 when Emperor Constantine the Great expanded the settlement to a road castle. It's been a part of many different rules over the years including Luxembourg, France, and Prussia.  Spangdahlem Air Base, a NATO airbase is nearby. The United States Air Force is the tenant. It is home to the 480th Fighter Squadron and the 726th Air Mobility Squadron

Another World Postcard Day Card design. I love this one. Wittlich is a historic town of 19 300, first mentioned in 1065. Evidence of human settlement dates back to the third millennium BC. There are Roman ruins underneath an autobahn bridge that crosses the River Lieser. A castle during the middle ages was built here by the prince-electors of Trier. In 1912 a youth prison was started here, which still borders on the Justizvollzugsanstalt Wittlich (Wittlich Correctional Facility). 

Caro sent me a card that they picked up on their travels to Japan. It is a photo of a water temple in the Okunoin, or the cemetery of 20 000 Monks.  Okunoin is one of Japan’s most sacred places. Located in the holy temple town of Koyasan, it is home to the final resting place of many of the nation’s most important historical and religious figures. Koyasan   was founded in 816 CE by a monk named Kukai. He created the town as the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism – a sect he himself started – and resided there for much of his long life. His writings and teachings earned him respect from many, including the Japanese imperial court. By the time of his death, he was so highly revered that even though his body was entombed in Okunoin, many believe that he lives on in a meditative state and continues to pray for the souls of those on earth right here in the cemetery. Crossing the Ichinohashi Bridge allows entrance into the forest that surrounds the cemetery. Okunoin is the largest gra...