The theme chosen by MaltaPost and Kyrgyz Express Post (KEP) for their joint stamp issue is that of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The stamps of both countries will feature the Valletta skyline and the Burana Tower in Chuy Valleyt in northern Kyrgyzstan.
Malta - City of Valletta
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a fortified city built in the 16th century, named after its founder, Jean Parisot de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of St. John. The magnificent city is built on a peninsula overlooking two harbours, the Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour.
The historical city is believed to be the first city in Europe to be built straight off the drawing board. It is an architectural masterpiece designed by the Italian architect Francesco Laparelli and is essentially baroque in character and rich in historical sites and structures. The Maltese architect, Girolamo Cassar also left his mark by designing some important landmarks in the City. Valletta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Kyrgyzstan - Burana Tower
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country located in Asia, surrounded by mountainous terrain, which helped preserve its ancient culture. Its history goes back to over 2,000 years and even though geographically isolated, Kyrgyzstan has been at the crossroads of several great empires.
The Burana Tower is a minaret, built by the karakhanids in the 9th Century. The Tower was once part of the extraordinary ancient city of Balasagun which was overrun by the Mongol troops and left in disrepair for centuries. Besides the tower, Muslim mausoleums, grave markers, remnants of a castle and some stone carvings known as balbal are the only remains of this once exceptional city.
Originally the Tower stood 40 metres high, however over the centuries the building suffered substantial damage. Following a restoration project in 1970, the Tower today, stands at 25 metres. The Burana tower was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014
