Like Rome, Bergen is also refereed to as the city of seven mountains. Interestingly, in German, the idea of a valley surrounded/ protected by mountains lead to Bergen meaning to protect or to save.
The picturesque coastal city, steeped in Hanseatic history with stunning fjords views, a vibrant harbor and cozy cafes is a perfect place to escape to between hikes on rainy days.
@ a glance essentials:
.
Language:
Norwegian
-
Nrwgn Krona
Water safety
Safe to Drink - Among the Cleanest in the World
Nearly all Locals can speak excellent English.
Currency:
NOK
Local Transport
Metro, Bus, Tram & Trains are sufficient for the cities. Remote areas require a car
It rains in Bergen 239 day a year! (wettest Oct. -Jan) so be prepared. Many Hotels have umbrellas for guests - but they aren't very useful against valley winds - the city is known as an ‘umbrella graveyard’ - so pack a rain jacket & rain pants.
Hot Tip:
According to tradition, Bergen, originally called Bjørgvin, was founded in 1070 AD, though a trading settlement already existed on the fjord bay in the 1020 / 30s. The 🔎western coastal city🔍 was Norway's capital in the 13c, the largest city in Norway at the time, and hugely influential as, until 1789, it held exclusive rights to oversea trade between northern Norway and abroad. Today it is the second-largest city (after Oslo.)
The city suffered numerous fires over the century but some of the original city remains (partly reconstructed) in the Bryggen.
a bit of background...
........................... Bergen nearly lost the entire Fantoft Stave Church, c. 1150, first due due farmers pillaging (the baptismal font was repurposed to a livestock trough) and then to arson, set by a metal rocker; Vikernes, AKA Count Grishnackh, part of the "Black Metal Terror" campaign against Christianity & Norwegian culture that burned 22 staves. A reconstruction had to be built but it includes the original crucifix, which survived the fire.
FUN FACT:
....
Must Try Local Cuisine:
Skillingsboller - Bergen cinnamon buns ∞ Brunost (Brown Cheese) - sweet, caramelized cheese†
Fiskeboller – fish balls ∞ Cured Fish like Lutefisk - dried in lye & Stockfish - unsalted, dried by cold & wind††
Vafler - traditional heart shaped waffles ∞ Raspeball - potato dumplings* ∞ Finnbiff - reindeer stew
Pinnekjøtt – dried lamb ribs** ∞ Lettrøkt Hvalkjøtt - smoked whale
Fårikål - mutton & cabbage ∞ Rømmegrøt – sour cream porridge
➿➰➿
† Made from whey, milk & cream it's technically not a cheese [as traditionally formed by the coagulation of the milk protein casein after the addition of rennet or similar bacterial enzymes, with solid curds then separated from liquid whey pressed into cheese]
†† The oldest form of fermenting by cold-adapted bacteria * Traditionally served only on Thursdays, also called Klubb, Potetball, Kompe or Komle
** The dish takes ages to prepare; salted, smoked, & dried for 30 days, soaked for 30 hrs then steamed for 3 hrs!
I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit
Bergen
(but it's on the list!) - So I don't have any personal
(If you get there first send me your best finds !)
recommendations yet, but you can start with the most popular spots
below, and I'll update with my favorites, hopefully soon!
Most Known For:
♦️ Bergenhus Fortress - c. 1240s with Haakon's Hall and Rosenkrantz† Tower
🔸 Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen) - open-air museum with 55 reconstructed traditional buildings
c. 18 & 19c & craftsmen/ actors
♦️ Medieval churches🔍 like 12c St Mary's and Bergen Cathedral - site of Norway's 1st royal
coronation in the 1150's
🔸 Bryggen Wharf / Vågen Harbor†† - full of narrow alleyways & colorful gabled Hanseatic
buildings c. 18 & 19c (with cellars as old as the 16c ) the famous Fish Market
a trading hub since the 1200's, National Aquarium, and the Heksestein (Witch Stone) a
memorial to the 350 'witches' burned in Nordnes (originally home to a monastery)
♦️ The 7 Mountains - great for hiking, including Mt Ulriken, Bergen's highest @ 2,000+ ft with Norway’s fastest zip-line
and Mt Fløyen with Fløibanen Funicular, (1,000+ feet) & panoramic views of the fjord islands (try to spot the
'cat face' island that looks like a cat from above, whiskers and all)
🔸 Maritime Museum - with 8c Kvalsund Viking longship, an original Halsnøy boat c. 390 - 535 AD & the largest
burial ship in the world, the Bergen Aquarium (Europe’s largest seal & penguin exhibits) & museums like
KODE - 2nd-largest art museum in Norway, (4 museums + 3 composers’ homes incl. Edvard Grieg Museum) and
University Museum - 1st museum of Norway with over 4.5 million items
📽️ NOTABLE FILMS SHOT IN BERGEN:
⭐ Succession | 2023 (TV- 4th S.) ⭐ The Snowman | 2017 ⭐ The Witches | 1990 ⭐ Frozen†† | 2013
† A 14th c. Danish noble surname meaning rose wreath - no direct relation to Rosencrantz of Shakespeare's HAMLET; who was likely a reference to
Danish Frederik Rosenkrantz, who, along with Knud Gyldenstierne, visited England in 1592
†† Animated kingdom of Arendelle, inspired by Bergen Wharf
🍿
🌀 Bergen International Festival (May) - biggest in Scandinavia; 2+ weeks of music, opera, ballet, theater etc.
🌀 Fjordsteam Bergen (Aug) - Largest festival in Europe for historic ships, planes, trains & trams etc.
🌀 Bergen Knitfest & Ullveka (wool week) (Sep/ Oct) - celebration of Norwegian wool, native🐑 sheep breeds & textile
traditions; including farmers, producers & artisans
🌀 Grieg in Bergen - 4 days of chamber music @ King Haakons Hall
🌀 International Organ Festival - celebrated throughout the summer @ local churches
🌀 Bergen Spillfestival - 2.5 weeks of games
🌀 Tredreiefestivalen (Tree-turning) of GLESVÆR (June) celebrating woodturning & old woodworking traditions
🌀 Festplassen - park used for fairs, feast days, festivals amusement parks etc. - always good to check to see what's
being hosted during your visit; it's a lovely place to relax in the summer even if nothing's on
Site Key:
Five Star Recommend
Make the Time!
Worth the Effort/ $
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