The architectural splendors of Italy are vividly displayed on a new set of six commemorative stamps issued by the United Nations Postal Administration. The stamps are dedicated to the theme of “World Heritage Italy.”

This is the eighth United Nations stamp issue to illustrate World Heritage sites in one geographical location. The stamps were designed by Rorie Katz of the United States.

The six designs feature the following sites: Florence, the Amalfi Coast, Pisa, Aeolian Islands, Pompeii and Rome.

Florence is built on the site of an ancient Etruscan settlement. The stamp shows the 13th-century Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, the Santa Croce Church, the Uffizi Palace and the Pitti Palace. The distinctive feature of Florence’s skyline is the dome of the cathedral.

The Pisa stamp illustrates the Piazza del Duomo, which houses a group of monuments known around the world. The Tower of Pisa, often referred to as “The Leaning Tower of Pisa,” was designed to be vertical and started its incline during its construction. The leaning factor has made the tower the object of attention worldwide.

The Pompeii stamp pays tribute to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. that engulfed the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Since the mid-18th century, these areas have been further uncovered showing the towns as they were during the eruption and made more accessible to the public.

Collectors in the United States can obtain these United Nations stamps by calling (800)-234-UNPA.