Bergen, the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’, is Norway’s second city and one of its most attractive. It has a delightful natural setting, with seven imposing mountains surrounding it on three sides and the island-dotted North Sea on the fourth. On a clear day, the approach to the city by sea or air is a rewarding experience - the rocky islets and towering mountains form a dramatic backdrop for the rainbow-painted houses clinging to the sides of the mountains all the way down to the waterfront.
The Viking king Olav Kyrre founded Bergen in 1070. With its fortunate combination of
sheltered harbor and proximity to rich fishing grounds, it quickly established itself as one of Norway’s most important towns. By the beginning of the 13th century, it was Norway’s capital, a status it enjoyed until the late 1200s, when the seat of government transferred to Christiania - the city nowadays known as Oslo. Economic success was further assured in the 14th century when the Hanseatic League, a German organization created to promote trade between the eastern and western parts of Northern Europe, chose Bergen as one of its four main bases. The League’s offices and warehouses, the Bryggen (wharfside), are the only survivors of the four original Hanseatic
Kontors (trading offices). By 1600, the city was Scandinavia’s largest, with 15,000 inhabitants. In 1980, UNESCO designated this district a Cultural World Heritage Site.
Despite the dismantling of the Hanseatic League in the 18th century, Bergen remained a successful trading port. Greater prosperity came with the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1960s, which led to a new influx of foreign nationals - more than 5,000 currently live and work in the city, the largest single group being the British.
Bergen’s long history as Norway’s leading port and latterly as an international business and tourist center lends it a more cosmopolitan air than other major Norwegian cities. The atmosphere around the Torget (market), the focal point of the city’s social life, with its eclectic mix of restaurants, cafés and pubs, reflects this. Additionally, although fishing, shipping and other maritime industries still play a major role in Bergen’s economy, international tourism is becoming an increasingly significant income source.
The locals (known as Bergenseners) are friendly, and widely regarded as the most outgoing of Norwegians. They are immensely proud of their city, its history and traditions. Bergen is a city generously endowed with museums, galleries and other cultural institutions - the arts figure large in the city’s life and it was a European City of Culture in 2000.
The peak tourist season runs from May to September, although it is just as likely to rain then as at any other time. The area has the dubious honor of experiencing one of Europe’s highest average annual rainfall counts. However, this should not spoil a visit completely, as there is plenty to do indoors. Between November and March, the rain turns to sleet or snow but even the worst winter weather is not harsh by Norwegian standards - temperatures rarely sink below -5ºC (23ºF).
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Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Norway Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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