Issue date: 02 Mar, 2020
12 MONTHS, 12 STAMPS. Ceuta
Ceuta, the Autonomous Region that rises between the Pillars of Hercules as the African gateway to Europe and bastion of the strait that connects the Mediterranean to the Atlantic ocean, is a unique place built on the cohabitation of Christian, Muslim and Hebrew communities, joined more recently by Hindus.
Some of the city’s most characteristic features can be seen in the motif of the stamp, such as the arch forming the letter C, which is part of the Arab baths built between the 12th and 13th centuries.
The same letter also shows the minaret of the Muley El Mehdi mosque, opened by the Spanish State in 1940.
Forming part of the letter E, you first notice the bell tower of the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Cathedral, built at the end of the 17th century on the remains of previous buildings.
In the same letter you can see the salted fish "volaores", meaning “flying fish”, whose traditional method of preparation dates back 3,000 years ago to the Phoenicians and Romans and has been passed down from generation to generation until the present day.
You can also see the “gorrillo”, also known as the “chapirí”, one of the defining features of the uniform of the Spanish Legion, based in Ceuta since its foundation in 1920 by José Millán-Astray under the name of "Tercio de Extranjeros", meaning “Tercio of Foreigners.” The Serrallo-Recarga barracks is currently home to the second Tercio "Duque de Alba.”
The foundation of both letters is the Royal Walls of Ceuta fortification built in 1415 by the Portuguese on top of the previous Arab wall. It consists of several defensive lines composed of bastions, crenelated walls, the “Plaza de Armas” and a moat that can be travelled down by boat.
In the background of the two initials, you can see the patio of the Faculty of Education, Economics and Technology of Ceuta, whose 85th anniversary will be celebrated this year.
The white colour of the lower strip represents the colour of the flag of Ceuta.
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.