6.4.1 Norway: Bergen
Description
This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
6.4.1 Norway: Bergen
Bergen located about 300 km west of Oslo, on a sheltered inlet of the
North Sea, it is an important port and the country's second-largest
city. Warm Historical landmarks include the King Haakon's Hall (1261),
St. Mary's Church (12th century), the Rosencrantz Tower (1562) and the
old wooden merchant's quarters (Bryggen) at the harbour. One of the
Bryggen buildings (Finnegården) houses a Hansaetic Museum, another
(modern one) houses a medieval museum (Bryggens museum). The city also
has a university (1948) and National Theater (1850), and it was the
birthplace of the composer Edvard Grieg and the violinist Ole Bull.
Fantoft stave church (built 1150) and Grieg's home Troldhaugen are
located a short distance to the south of the city.
The city was founded in 1070 by King Olaf III; it became a leading
trade center and Norway's capital during the 12th and 13th centuries.
It joined the Hansaetic League in the 14th century, and German
merchants from the league developed trade monopolies here that lasted
into the 18th century. Occupied during World War II by the Germans,
the city suffered heavy damage during Allied bombings.
Bergen is surrounded by mountains low enough to be climbed on foot but
sufficiently high to offer a great view. There are many good paths for
hikers, but there are also a cable cars going to the highest peak,
mount Ulriken (606m above sea), and to Fløyen (314m) which is a bit
closer to the centre.
<The following from an article by Daniel R. Juliano>
I am not sure how you are getting from Bergen to Oslo, but I would
suggest the beautiful scenic train that takes you between the two if
you are not flying. It stops quite often and lets you get out in the
mountains and look around. It is warm up there, yet there is tons of
snow. At least there was when I was there two years ago this month.
If you could get to Oystese and see the Hardanger fjord that is the
most beautiful one I ever saw. But, you have to take a bus or drive
there. When we were there the buses were on strike (of course) and we
rented a car. Scary. You have to drive on these huge mountains with no
guard rail where you are literally one foot from the edge and you have
to go through huge tunnels. A police man actually pulled us over for
going to slow. :)
We did take a boat tour in Bergen of the fjords which we enjoyed. My
family went to see Grieg's house. They enjoyed that. They also saw the
stave church. I didn't go along to those so I don't know if I should
recommend them.
On most days in Bergen there is a fish market in the main part of town
which is quite interesting. They sell fish that they have just caught,
as well as fresh fruit, flowers, bread and handicrafts. It is closed
on Sundays.
Oh, we also went on a tour of some church and of the Hansa houses.
That was neat. Ok, I'll stop. Again. If you have any more specific
questions, just ask.
<From: Jan Setnan>
I always recommend taking the boat from Bergen to Balestrand in the
evening. Then the express ferry from Balestrand to Flåm. The trip from
Bergen to Flåm will give you an impressive view of the fjords. Then
you take the nighttrain flom Flåm to Oslo, arriving the next morning.
The boat from Bergen to Balestrand may be filled with tourists so you
probably should reserve tickets. But the ferry from Balestrand to Flåm
should give you no problems. The train tickets you should reserve
beforehand. The luggage is another problem travelling from boat to
boat to train. If you have several items, you could send most of it
with the train from Bergen to Oslo, and only take the necessary
minimum with you on the boats. The boat ticket from Bergen to Flåm is
about $65.
<From: Melvin Klasse>
When I went to Bergen, in early-July 1988, the "Tourist Information
Centre" (*very* close to the SAS Hotel in Bergen) had all sorts of
accomodation available, from a "pension" (bed & shared bathroom &
NO-breakfast) to "tourist-class" hotels.
* Get an umbrella -- if it isn't raining, you're not in Bergen!!!
* Walk around the Fish Market, of course.
* The WW II "War Resistance" museum chronicles the time of the
German presence.
* Take the Fløybanen (train ride at 23 degrees "up" the hill).
* See Edward Greig's summer-house "Troldhaugen".
* Make reservations for dinner & entertainment with "Fana Folklore".
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