TRAVEL BERGEN
GENERAL INFORMATION-Bergen is a city on the west coast of Norway. It is the second largest city of Norway and most popular gateway to fjords of West Norway. This city is surrounded by seven mountains. It is famous for its nature and offers hiking opportunities nearby. Bergen is famous for offshore petroleum industry and it is centre for higher education and tourism .The Bergen Port is Norway’s busiest harbour. Four large bridges connects to it by suburban areas .It was the capitol of Norway in the early 13th century. The city’s cathedral was the first Royal coronation in Norway in 1150.The city was founded around 1070 AD, Bergen quickly evolved into one of the most important cities in Norway. It was the country's administrative capital from the early 1200s until 1299, and the largest city in Scandinavia. Bergen was one of the most important bureau cities of the Hanseatic League. The city still has relics of its Hanseatic heyday, most notably the old harbour of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen has been ravaged by several fires, the most recent fire took place in 1916, in the fire , destroyed most of the buildings in what are today the central parts of the city centre, cantered on the large square Torgallmenningen.
GEOGRAPHY-Bergen is located far west in Norway, sheltered from the North Sea only by a number of islands. It is situated along latitude 60 degrees north, as Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg and Anchorage. The city is the most hilly and mountainous in Norway. The city centre is surrounded by a group of mountains and peaks known as the Seven Mountains, a defining characteristic which has given the city its name (berg is an old Norse word for mountain). Mount Ulriken, 631 meter, Mount Floyen , 399 meter, Sandviksfjellet, 392 meter, Lovstakken, 477 meter, Lyderhorn Mountain, 396 meter, Damsgaardsfjellet , 284 meter, Rundemanen Mountain, 560 meter.
AREA-465Km2
POPULATION-2, 67,000
LOCATION-60023'22'' N 50 19'48"E
TIME ZONE-UTC +1 Summer UTC+2
CLIMATE-Bergen experiences plentiful rainfall, 240 days in a year and is because of it is surrounded by hill that cause moist. North Atlantic air to undergo lift, which yields rainfall. The details throughout the year is as follows-
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
HIGH 4 4 9 12 15 17 20 18 15 11 7 10
LOW -0.4 -0.5 3 5 7 10 11 11 9 6 3 0.6
RAIN DAYS 21 17 19 17 17 16 18 19 23 24 22 22
POPULATION-2, 67,000
LOCATION-60023'22'' N 50 19'48"E
TIME ZONE-UTC +1 Summer UTC+2
CLIMATE-Bergen experiences plentiful rainfall, 240 days in a year and is because of it is surrounded by hill that cause moist. North Atlantic air to undergo lift, which yields rainfall. The details throughout the year is as follows-
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
HIGH 4 4 9 12 15 17 20 18 15 11 7 10
LOW -0.4 -0.5 3 5 7 10 11 11 9 6 3 0.6
RAIN DAYS 21 17 19 17 17 16 18 19 23 24 22 22
AIRPORT-Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO) is an international airport located at Flesland in Bergen. It is located about 20kms from city centre and with 30 minutes’ drive along National Road 580.There are 11 terminal gates. Numbered 21 to 32.The terminal gate 21 and 22 are for international and terminal 28, 29,30,31,32 are solely for domestic use. From the airport there are 20 domestic and 53 international destinations are connected. Tide and Flybuss Bergen operates an airport coach service from the city centre and the travel time is 30 minutes and the ticket is 100Kr.Tide operates every 15 minutes and Flybuss operates every 30 minutes and are non-stops.
BERGEN SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS -
001-FLOIBANEN (VETRLIDSALLMENNINGEN)-It is a funicular which goes up to the plateau on Floyen Mountain which is 320meters above sea level and can have the magnificent view of the city, mountains, fjord and sea .The funicular was opened in 1918 and the length is 850 meters long .The trip takes about seven minutes with stops at all stations and 3minutes without stops. It departs every 30 minutes from 10 AM until 10PM.And half service for closing and at this period the return frequency is 15 minutes per departure .The terminus is two minutes’ walk (180mts) from fish market-Vetrlidsalmenning. Before the last station Floien there is a Photo point and car stops here. Numerous paths offer easy walks through beautiful woodland terrain with lakes and mountains.
002-MOUNT ULRIKEN AND ULRIKSBANEN-Mount Ulriken is also a good starting point for hikes. A popular, but long and quite hard hike is to Mount Floyen and it takes approx. 4 hours to walk. Mount Ulriken is higher than Mount Floyen, but it is a lot of “ups and downs” between these two mountains. The second option is to take the shuttle bus from the tourist information (in the centre of Bergen) to the Mount Ulriken cable car and walk from there. This walk is really hard. The third and easiest option is to take the shuttle bus and continue by the cable car to the top.
003-BRYGGEN (THE HANSAEATIC WHARF) -003-BRYGGEN (THE HANSAEATIC WHARF) - Bryggen is the name of the world famous waterfront in Bergen. The very first buildings in Bergen were alongside the harbour called Bryggen. Bryggen has been the nerve centre of the city for hundreds of years and the silhouette of its ancient gables is perhaps the most familiar image in all of Norway. In the late Middle ages the Hanseatic League established the German Kontor in Bryggen (the waterfront), which became a thriving centre of international trade. Bergen first building was erected at this area in 13th century. The Hansas-the German merchants opened of their offices in the area called Bryggen. Between 1350 and 1750, this area was used to be a Hansa Dock, trading and processing area .The characteristic parallel rows of buildings, with their seaward-facing gables represent a building tradition dating back almost 900 years. The old wooden buildings along the harbour front in Bergen were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.The wooden houses at Bryggen today were built after the devastating city fire in 1702,but are same as they were before.
004-HANSEATIC MUSEUM-The Hanseatic Museum is situated in one of the old trade houses at Bryggen. The museum has old interiors from the 18th and 19th centuries .The Hanseatic League had one of their foreign Offices at Bryggen in Bergen from approx. 1360 until 1754. The Hanseatic merchants traded mainly with stock fish from Northern Norway and grain it from the Baltic countries. Only German merchants were allowed to live at Bryggen during the period of the Hanseatic Office. The Hanseatics were unmarried and had to live in celibacy as long as they lived in the area. The tenements in the Bryggen area each consists of several smaller trade houses, each run by a merchant with a journeyman and apprentices. All of them lived in the house. The Hanseatic Museum shows us what one of these trade houses would be like in the last years of the German Office at Bryggen. Neither light nor heating was allowed in the tenements at Bryggen because of the danger for fire. Behind each tenement there was an assembly hall, called “schotstue”, belonging to all the merchants of one or more tenements. The assembly halls could be heated, and in connection with these halls there were also a kitchen as well as storage room for food. Today the museum Schotstuene (belonging to the Hanseatic Museum) shows three assembly halls and one kitchen from the Bryggen area .The building which houses the Hanseatic Museum was built after a large fire in 1702 which destroyed almost the entire town. The building is the only one in the area in which the old interiors have been preserved. The Hanseatic merchants had both their living rooms and their storage rooms in the same house. The storage rooms now have exhibitions on various subjects related to the history and architecture of Bryggen.
005-ST. MARY’S CHURCH (MARIAKIRKEN)-This is the oldest building in Bergen. The church is from the first half of the 12th century, and one of the most outstanding Romanesque churches in the country. The pulpit is the pride of the church and is considered the richest example of Baroque decorative art in Norway. Situated in the centre of Bergen, walking distance from the Fish Market.
006-FISH MARKET (FISKETORGET)-It is situated in the very heart of Bergen. The market with its abundance of fish, flowers, fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs. A very popular thing is to buy freshly boiled shrimps and eat by the waterfront next to the stands at the Fish Market or at Bryggen (next to the Fish Market).
007-BERGEN AQUARIUM (AKVARIET I BERGEN)-One of the most extensive collections of marine fauna in Europe. The Bergen Aquarium is located on the outermost point of Nordnes, with a delightful view over the approach to the port of Bergen. Seals and Penguins playing in the large pools welcome you to the Aquarium that has as one of Europe’s largest collections of fish and invertebrates. One million litters of clean seawater are pumped up from depth of 130 meters, allowing as one of the few aquariums in the world to keep a shoal of herring. In addition, they have a number of 100,000 litter fresh water aquariums containing fish from all parts of the world .There is a tunnel and a shark tank.
008-BERGEN ART MUSEUM (BERGEN KUNSTMUSEUM)-The Bergen Art Museum is one of the largest in all Scandinavia. Visitors are introduced to art works from the Renaissance to the Contemporary Era and take in a virtual art history journey tour as they go. From the Rasmus Meyer Collection to Norwegian artists of the 18th and 19th Centuries and on to more recent or contemporary works from around the world, The Bergen Art Museum (Bergen Kunstmuseum) offers a great cross section of fine works to be admired. The museum is situated in three different buildings-
i-The City Art Collection.
ii-The Rasmus Meyer Colletion .
iii-The Stenersen Collection. Situated next to the Lille Lungegård Lake, in the centre of town, the venue makes for a great leisurely stop over while taking in the other sights of Bergen
i-The City Art Collection.
ii-The Rasmus Meyer Colletion .
iii-The Stenersen Collection. Situated next to the Lille Lungegård Lake, in the centre of town, the venue makes for a great leisurely stop over while taking in the other sights of Bergen
009-BERGEN FORTRESS (BERGENHUS)-It is the oldest and best preserved fortress in Norway. Nearby this is Rosenkrantz Tower .Entrance Fees =40Kr.The fortress ground serves as city park. From here one can have a good view of Bay. It is a military area. Bergenhus fortress is located in the entrance to the harbour in Bergen. The fortress contains buildings dating as far back as the 1240s, as well as later constructions built as recently as World War II. In medieval times, the area of the present-day Bergenhus Fortress was known as Holmen (The islet), and contained the royal residence in Bergen, as well as a cathedral and several churches, the bishop's residence and a Dominican monastery. Excavations have revealed foundations of buildings believed to date back to before 1100, which might have been erected by King Olav Kyrre. In the 13th century, until 1299, Bergen was the capital of Norway and Holmen was thus the main seat of Norway's rulers. It was first enclosed by stone walls in the 1240s. Of the medieval buildings, a medieval hall and a defensive tower remain. The royal hall, today known as Haakon's Hall, built around 1260, is the largest medieval secular building in Norway. The defensive tower was built around 1270 by King Magnus VI Lagabøte, and contained a royal apartment on the top floor. In the 1560s it was incorporated by the commander of the castle, Erik Rosenkrantz, into a larger structure, which is today known as the Rosenkrantz Tower. Haakon's Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower are open for visits by the public. Koengen, the central part of Bergenhus Fortress is also known as a concert venue.
010-JOHN’S CHURCH (JOHNNESKIRKEN) -St. John's Church is located on Sydneshaugen in the neighbourhood of Sydnes in Bergen. St John's was built between 1891 and 1894 in the Gothic Revival style. With 1250 seats, it is the largest church in Bergen. The frescoes in the Church's ceiling date from 1924 and were completed by Hugo Lous Mohr (1889-1970). The church was consecrated in 1894.It was modernized during 1967. The altarpiece depicts Christ in prayer and was designed in 1894. The church tower is the highest in the city at 61 metres. The main tower has four stair towers and a carillon.
011-THE ROSENKRANTZ TOWER (ROSENKRANTZTÅRNET)-The Rosenkrantz Tower is one of the most prominent buildings of Bergenhus fortress. The tower derives its name from governor Erik Rosenkrantz (1519-1575). It was during his administration (1559–1568) that the tower received its present shape and structure. The oldest part of the building, however, is made up of a medieval tower, known as the "Keep by the Sea", built by King Magnus the Lawmender in the 1270s as part of the royal castle in Bergen. The whole building has been open to the general public since 1966. Today, the tower serves primarily as a tourist attraction.
012-HAKON’S HALL-Håkon’s Hall is almost seven hundred and fifty years old, and was built by King Håkon Håkonsson as a royal residence and banqueting hall. When his son Magnus Håkonsson Lagabøte married the Danish princess Ingeborg in 1261, in this marriage about 2000 guests were invited. "The King held court in the stone hall" say the sagas. At that time Bergen was Norway’s largest and most important town, and Håkon’s Hall was the site of major national events, such as the drawing up of Norway’s first complete set of laws. Inside the thick stone walls there are still echoes of the medieval court’s solemn ceremonies and riotous feasts. As a national cultural monument, Håkon’s Hall is still used both for royal dinners and other official occasions. It is easy to spot where His Majesty the King usually sits. Håkon’s Hall was built between 1247 and 1261 by Håkon Håkonsson. It was the largest and most imposing building of the royal residency in the 13th-century when Bergen was the political centre of Norway
013-EDVARD GRIEG MUSEUM AT TROLDHAUGEN-It is home of most famous composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907), he lived here for 22 years and composed many music. Troldhaugen was the home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina Grieg. Troldhaugen consists of the Edvard Grieg Museum, Grieg’s villa, the hut where he composed music, and his and his wife's grave site. Grieg is reputed to have said that children called the nearby small valley "The Valley of Trolls" and thus gave the name for his building as well. Edvard and Nina Grieg finished building Troldhaugen in 1885. Troldhaugen was the home of Edvard Grieg from April 1885 to his death. After the death of her husband in 1907, Nina Grieg moved to Denmark where she spent the remainder of her life. Grieg's and his wife's ashes rest inside a mountain tomb near the house. Troldhaugen is a typical 19th century residence with panoramic tower and a large veranda. Grieg's small composer's hut overlooking Nordås Lake. Grieg immortalized the name of his home in one of his piano pieces, Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
014-ROYAL RESIDENCE (GAMLEHAUGEN) -When the Norwegian King visits Bergen, his official residence is “Gamlehaugen”. Gamlehaugen resembles a Scottish castle. Built in 1901 for Christian Michelsen, a ship-owner and prime minister. In 1925, Gamlehaugen was bought by the Norwegian State and placed at the disposal of the King. Crown Prince Haakon lived here when studying at the Naval Academy in Bergen. Parts of building are open to the public, known as the “Gamlehaugen Museum”. The Gardens of Gamlehaugen is all open for the public. Nice place for relaxing in the sun, also nice for swimming in the sea.
015-BRANN STADIUM-Brann Stadion is a football stadium in Bergen. It was constructed in 1919, and has been the home of the football club Brann ever since. The stadium lies 3 km (1.9 miles) south of the centre of the city, at the foot of Mount Ulriken.
016-WEST NORWAY MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ART (VESTLANDSKE KUNSTINDUSTRI-MUSEUM)-A good selection of art from different places in Norway but there is also a nice part where General Munthes collection from China is exhibited.
017-BERGEN NATIONAL THETRE (DEN NATIONALE SCENE)-The theatre was founded to develop Norwegian playwrights. It was founded under the name DET NORSKE THEATRE in 1850.The Theatre has roots dating back to its founding of the National violinist Ole Bull. Henrik Ibsen was one of the first writers-in-residences and art-directors of the theatre and it saw the première in Norway of his first contemporary realistic drama .King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud were in attendance. Over the years the building has undergone major changes, extensions, renovation, restoration and stage technical modernization. The foyer and the hall were destroyed during the Second World War, and only temporarily restored. In 2001 the building was brought almost to its original shape. Today the theatre houses three stages/ venues and presents approximately 20 productions each year, both international and national classics, musicals and contemporary drama, as well as children's theatre.
018-BERGEN MUSEUM (MUSEPLASS)-Bergen Museum is part of the University of Bergen, and it houses one of the largest collections of cultural and natural history objects in Norway. The Museum was founded in 1825 by Wilhelm Frimann Koren Christie. The Museum is situated at Nygaardshøyden, the University campus in Bergen with its two main buildings, The Natural History Collections and The Cultural History Collections. The museum is open every day, except Mondays
019-BERGEN CATHEDRAL (DOMKIRKE)-Bergen Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Bjørgvin in the Church of Norway. Located in the city centre of Bergen, Norway, the first recorded reference to it is dated 1181. It retains its ancient dedication to St Olaf .During the reign of king Haakon IV of Norway. A cannonball from the 1665 Battle of Vågen between the English and Dutch fleets remains embedded in the cathedral's exterior wall .The present organ at Bergen Cathedral, by Rieger Orgelbau, is from 1997. The organ is the fifth one in the cathedral's history; the first known organ was installed in 1549. The cathedral is used regularly for concerts.
020-BERGEN RAILWAY STATION-It is a main railway station in the city. It is a terminal station on Bergen line and serves trains from Oslo to Bergen which is 496 kilometres and takes about seven hours .The Norwegian State Railways operates express trains to Oslo. Bergren Commuter Rail to Voss. It is on the east side of the city and has four platforms. It was opened in 1913.
BERGEN SHOPPING AREAS AND SHOPPING PLACES
021-KLOVERHUSET SHOPPING MALL-Kloverhuset Shopping Mall is the oldest and most traditional department store in Bergen. Kloverhuset offer the widest range of textile and fashion stores under one roof. The shops also offer good guidance and service, exquisite goods and fashion news from well-known brands from around the world. Kloverhuset Shopping Mall is located close to the Fish Market. Entrance from next to the famous Fish Market in Bergen and at the street “Strandgaten” and the Cafe at the 3rd floor overlooking Bryggen and Fish Market. It is located at Strandgaten 13/15, 5013 Bergen.
022-BERGEN STORSENTER SHOPPING CENTRE-The largest shopping centre in Bergen city centre, with almost 70 shops representing most commodities as well as several services, ranging from a wine shop to a pharmacy and dentists. Indoor walk from the centre to bus, train and car park. It is located at Strømgaten 8, 5015 Bergen.
023-GALLERIET SHOPPING CENTRE-Galleriet is one of the most centrally located shopping centres in Bergen, with more than 70 shops covering most needs. Here, you will find everything from clothes and books to eating places, a pharmacy and art gallery. Seasonal exhibitions on the fourth floor. It is located at Torgallmenningen 8, 5014 Bergen.
024-BRYGGEN HUSFLID-- Bryggen Husflid specializes in genuine Norwegian handknitted sweaters made in Norway. In addition the shop has a large selection of machineknits from the companies Dale of Norway, Nordstrikk and Skjæveland, woolen coats and jackets from Lillunn, trolls, woodcarvings, Royal pewter and souvenirs. Bryggen Husflid is located in picturesque Bergen, Norway in the ancient wooden buildings at Bryggen (Unesco's World Heritage site).
025-FISH MARKET-The picturesque and lively Fish Market in Bergen is one of Norway's most visited outdoors markets and has a charming location in the heart of the city between the fjords and Bergen's 7 mountains. The Fish Market also sells fruit, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs. It is located at Torget, 5014 Bergen
026-TING-Ting is the ultimate gift shop. If you are going to Bergen and are not sure what gifts to bring home you will have lots of ideas here. It is located at Bryggen 11, 5003 Bergen.
027-SMÅTING-Småting has many nice products for children. Things that are fun for adults to buy! It is located at: Bryggen 9, 5003 Bergen.
028-HUSFLIDEN I BERGEN-Husfliden Bergen AS is located next to the Fish Market. We specialise in traditional bunads (national costumes) and Scandinavian handicrafts. We are also well known for our wide selection of yarn and knitwear. Welcome to a modern, yet traditional shop. It is address is : Vågsallmenningen 3, 5805 Bergen
029- FLØIEN SOUVENIR-At the top of Mount Fløien you will find this small, cosy shop selling souvenirs from Fløien and Bergen, as well as ice cream, soft drinks and other light refreshments. Address: Fløyfjellet, 5014 Bergen
030-JENS CHR. BERLE A/S-Berle is one of Norway's largest shops specialising in sweaters and souvenirs. The shop is located in the traditional, Hanseatic wharf buildings and have been in the business for 100 years. We guarantee high quality products and good service. Address: Bryggen 5, 5003 Bergen
031-JUHLS SILVER GALLERY A/S -"Tundra" is the name of our exclusive jewellery inspired by the magical Nature of Northern Norway. Juhl's Silver Gallery is a famous centre of art, placed in the heart of Kautokeino. Address: Bryggen 39, 5003 Bergen
032-BRYGGEN HANDEL A/S-Bryggen Handel is one of Norway's leading retailers of traditional Norwegian sweaters, gifts, and souvenirs. They specialize in hand-knitted sweaters but also carry other recognised brands. It is located at Bryggen 23, 5003 Bergen
031-JUHLS SILVER GALLERY A/S -"Tundra" is the name of our exclusive jewellery inspired by the magical Nature of Northern Norway. Juhl's Silver Gallery is a famous centre of art, placed in the heart of Kautokeino. Address: Bryggen 39, 5003 Bergen
032-BRYGGEN HANDEL A/S-Bryggen Handel is one of Norway's leading retailers of traditional Norwegian sweaters, gifts, and souvenirs. They specialize in hand-knitted sweaters but also carry other recognised brands. It is located at Bryggen 23, 5003 Bergen
033-NILSSEN PÅ BRYGGEN-Large selection of knitwear, embroidery, wool, textiles, souvenirs and products from Dale. Sweaters made from famous Norwegian patterns, combined with modern design and colours. The shop is located at the wharf, next to the Hanseatic Museum. Address: Bryggen 3, 5003 Bergen.
034-HJERTHOLM AS-Scandinavian arts and crafts in the heart of Bergen. We stock contemporary studio glass and ceramics and a wide range of quality items in pewter, bronze, brass and wood as well as jewellery and textiles. Address: Torgallmenningen 8, 5014 Bergen.