City set in seven hills (Bergen)

Member Name: jo@145

Product:	Bergen
Date:	25/06/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful wooden houses

Disadvantages: Expensive

Bergen was the last stop on our cruise, I had visited before and could remember lots of small islands as we flew into the airport, but then we headed off for Norheimsund on the Hardanger fjord and didn't get to see Bergen itself which I know now was such a pity. We were moored alongside other large cruise ships and disembarked straight onto a coach for a tour of Bergen. Our guide was exceptionally good and told us lots of facts and bits of information with some humour as well, sadly Bergen was wet but that is quite usual. As it is said to rain at least 219 days a year! It did clear after a while and we enjoyed the views. Bergen is built around the harbours and every sort of boat was on show, trips were also available.

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, with a population of around 252,000 as of 1 January 2009. It is located in the county of Hordaland on the south-western coast of Norway and has developed amongst a group of mountains known as "De syv fjell" literally The Seven Mountains, but some nationalities dispute the fact they are mountains as they aren't all very high! We drove up a hill past a monument where witches were burned at the stake and on past lovely old houses and very narrow streets. Like other towns Bergen suffered with fires and houses burned down, sadly we saw evidence of this. The oldest surviving buildings are of stone and since the last big fire of 1916 the present streets are much wider. Later in the day we walked back along the Bryggen (the main road along by the wharf) and walked up tiny back streets and explored the many shops, the old buildings had been warehouses and now used as shops and places for crafts. The Bryggen is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and Bergen is a World Heritage City.

Visiting Museums is always a good way to find out the history of the place you are visiting and Bergen has many such museums. The Bryggen Museum and the Hanseatic museum show what life was like in the Middle ages. The Germans were given one side of the Wharf and the merchants lived and worked in these houses. There are charges for both museums and they have different hours of opening in summer.

The Bergen Aquarium is popular with locals and visitors, but we preferred to explore other places and the fish we admired was on the market ready to eat! TheTorget Fish market is famous and fruit, flowers. handcrafts and souvenirs were also on sale. The market is under canvas and it was possible to have fish cooked or purchase a crab salad, or even try some smoked whale if you felt brave enough!

Norway is a city of culture too and very proud that they have had many famous people living there. It is possible to visit the summer house of Edward Geig the composer, just outside Bergen and listen to some music. There is also the Greig hall for concerts and conferences.

The Bergen Expressen is one way to explore Bergen and costs about £12 for adults, the tour runs through the city centre streets, past the Fish market, harbour and along the Hanseatic wharf and up Mount Fløyen for a view of the city. You can also use the funicular to get up Mount Fløyen and enjoy a great view, it runs from near the Fish market and is open until midnight during the summer. There is a restaurant at the top, and shop selling souvenirs.

The cathedral or Domkirke and churches are worth a visit for people with more time to spare and St Mary's church is the oldest building still in use, it is described as being one of the most outstanding Romanesque churches in Norway and the pulpit is a fine example of Baroque decorative art.

Bergen castle is unusual in the fact that although built overlooking the harbour the guns were pointing down to the Hanseatic area of the town, keeping an eye on the Germans rather than out to sea!

For 190 Krone about £19 it is possible to buy a 24 hour ticket or Bergen card which lets you travel free on buses and free entry into some Museums and discounts in other places.

Like most places there are lots of touristy shops selling souvenirs, some are lovely handcrafts whilst other things are "tourist tat", but Norway is an expensive place and items made in Norway are pricey, especially the beautiful hand sewn embroidery called Hardanger and the typical knitted cardigans.

We were told that although everything seems expensive to tourists, wages reflect the cost of living and Norwegians have a great standard of life, enjoy eating out and having fun. I don't think they drink too much though as a pint of beer or glass of wine could cost around £7!

Bergen is another place I would like to return to with more time to explore, as it had plenty to do, we were fortunate in the afternoon it cleared up and was warm enough to go out with fleece jackets in June, be prepared though it can be very wet and cold! It certainly was popular and very busy.

Summary: Prettytown with lovely houses set around the harbours