Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BERGEN
POP 256,600
Surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, Bergen is a beautiful, charming city. With the
Unesco World Heritage-listed Bryggen and buzzing Vågen Harbour as its centrepiece, Ber-
genclimbsthehillsideswithhundredsoftimber-cladhouses,whilecablecarsofferstunning
views from above. Throw in great museums, friendly locals and a dynamic cultural life and
Bergen amply rewards as much time as you can give it.
History
During the 12th and 13th centuries, Bergen was Norway's capital and easily the country's
most important city. By the 13th century, the city states of Germany allied themselves into
trading leagues, most significantly the Hanseatic League with its centre in Lübeck. At its
zenith, the league had over 150 member cities and was northern Europe's most powerful
economic entity; the sheltered harbour of Bryggen drew the Hanseatic League's traders in
droves. They established their first office here around 1360, transforming Bryggen into one
of the league's four major headquarters abroad, accommodating up to 2000 mostly German
resident traders who imported grain and exported dried fish, among other products.
Forover400years,Bryggenwasdominatedbythistight-knitcommunityofGermanmer-
chants, who weren't permitted to mix with, marry or have families with local Norwegians.
By the 15th century, competition from Dutch and English shipping companies, internal dis-
putes and, especially, the Black Death (which wiped out 70% of Bergen's population) en-
sured the Hanseatic League's decline.
By the early 17th century Bergen was nonetheless the trading hub of Scandinavia, and
Norway's most populous city with 15,000 people. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many
Hanseatic traders opted to take Norwegian nationality and join the local community. Bryg-
genremainedanimportantmaritime tradingcentreuntil1899,whentheHanseaticLeague's
Bergen offices finally closed.
Sights
Bergenhaslotsofquaintcobblestonestreetslinedwithtimber-cladhouses;apartfromBryg-
gen, some of the most picturesque are the quiet lanes climbing the hill behind the Fløiban-
en funicular station, as well as in Nordnes (the peninsula that runs northwest of the centre,
