United Nations Vienna stamps year 2023 WORLD HERITAGE Turkey

United Nations Vienna stamps year 2023 WORLD HERITAGE Turkey MNH set On September 8, 2023, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued its annual UNESCO World Heritage stamp series, focusing on historic and cultural sites in Türkiye (Turkey). The UNPA issues stamps simultaneously for its three main postal hubs (New York, Geneva, and Vienna), with each office releasing two stamps featuring different locations. The Vienna (€ – Euro) office released two specific stamps as part of this broader six-stamp set. The Vienna Office Stamp Details The two stamps issued for the UN Vienna office focused on historically significant architecture and structural marvels in Türkiye: € 1.20 Stamp – Ephesus: Features the ancient Greek city located on the coast of Ionia (modern-day İzmir Province). The site is famous for its well-preserved Roman-era structures, most notably the iconic Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. € 2.10 Stamp – Historic Areas of Istanbul: Features the architectural crown jewels of Istanbul, a city bridging Europe and Asia. The design highlights the historic core, which includes structures like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and the Blue Mosque. Context and Formats The series was designed by Rorie Katz of the UNPA. Beyond serving as a regular entry in the UNESCO heritage series, the 2023 release carried special significance: it was issued as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Türkiye following the devastating earthquakes that struck the region earlier that year.