Issue date: 05 Oct, 2017
ARTISTIC HERITAGE. GIANT CANTABRIAN STELAE.
The coat of arms of the Autonomous Community of Cantabria features a stone disc, a symbol of the solar cult of the ancient Celts who lived in Cantabria in the 5th and 6th centuries BCE.
These Steles or Stelae can be seen on many objects and façades in the region.
The stone discs, up to two metres in diameter, are thought to have been used to mark ancient shrines or sacred sites.
Later, after the arrival of the Christians, they were used to build chapels, and thus maintained their sacred nature.
Five of the largest stelae found in Cantabria, discovered in the Valley of Buelna, are particularly interesting.
The most famous is called the Estela de Barros (Barros Stele), which is the one featured on the coat of arms of Cantabria. Discovered in the town of Barros, it can be visited today in the Parque de las Estelas (Stelae Park). This disc is intact and is the only one found so far with its pier base embedded in the ground.
As part of the Artistic Heritage series, Correos is issuing a new stamp, presented on a mini sheet with special characteristics.
The foreground of the mini sheet depicts the famous Estela de Barros, which is printed with a blind pressing technique, creating a relief effect on the page.
The stamp includes a detail of the image that appears in the background of the sheet, showing some of the stelae on display in the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria, and has stone dust embedded in it.
Correos continues to contribute to the dissemination of Spanish heritage, which has treasures worthy of worldwide recognition throughout the country, and as part of this effort, the Giant Stelae of Cantabria will travel all over the world on this stamp.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.