ATTRACTIONS

Bergen Attractions

Bryggen

Bryggen, the site of the old medieval quarter, is a charming, compact area of brightly coloured wooden homes that once housed the city's merchants. Steep cobbled lanes are lined with a vivacious blend of cafes and artists workshops. The Hanseatic wharf area, with many buildings dating from before the 17th century, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the most important examples of the civilisation of a medieval settlement in the world. This was once the working area of the merchants and is the oldest part of Bergen, characterised by a maze of lopsided wooden buildings with pointed gables facing the harbour. The Bryggens and Hanseatic Museums as well as the 12th century St Mary's Church are all in the Bryggen area. At one end of the wharf is Bergen's famous fish market, a colourful market also selling flowers, fruit, vegetables and souvenirs.

Transport: Within walking distance of the city centre

Bergen Attractions

Hanseatic Museum

The Hanseatic Museum is housed in one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in Bryggen, the former home of a wealthy merchant. Furnished in the 18th century style, it provides a glimpse of the working and living conditions of the Hanseatic merchants during the Middle Ages. The austere layout and maze-like rooms are saturated by the smell of fish and leave a lasting impression.

Address: Finneg�rdsgate 1A, Bryggen; E-mail: hanseat@online.no; Website: www.bergen.kommune.no/hanseatisk_/ekstern/museum; Telephone: 5554 4690; Transport: A few minutes walk from Torget; Opening time: Daily from 10am to 5pm (May 15 to September 15) and from 11am to 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday, closed Mondays (September 16 to May 14) ; Admission: Adults: 45 kr (May 15 to September 15) and 25 kr (September 16 to May 14), entrance is free for children

Bergen Attractions

Bryggens Museum

The archaeological museum was built around the remains of the oldest buildings discovered in Bergen, dating from the 12th century, and the ruins have been incorporated into the exhibits along with excavated tools, ceramics and skeletons. The museum houses various artefacts and traditional costumes and imaginatively attempts to recreate life in the Middle Ages with displays of domestic implements, handicrafts, runic inscriptions and items relating to seafaring and trade during medieval times.

Address: Dreggsallmenning 3, Bryggen; E-mail: bryggensmuseum@bmu.uib.no; Telephone: 5558 8010; Transport: A few minutes walk from Torget; Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm (May to August), Monday to Friday 11am to 3pm, Saturday 12pm to 3pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm (September to April); Admission: 50 kr (adults), children free, concessions available

Bergen Attractions

St Mary�s Church (Mariakirken)

Bergen’s oldest surviving building, the beautiful Romanesque stone Church of St Mary’s, dates from the beginning of the 12th century. The interior is decorated with old frescoes and a splendid Baroque pulpit that was donated by the Hanseatic merchants in 1676. The twin towers of the church are distinctive among the low red-tiled roofs of the old quarter.

Address: Dreggen 15, Bergen; E-mail: domkirken.menighet@bkf.no; Telephone: 5531 5960; Transport: Bus 5, 6, 9, 20, 21 or 22 from the city centre; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 11.30am and 1pm to 4pm (mid-May to mid-September), Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 1.30pm (October to April)