Bergen

Thursday, 3 August 

Bergan is the “Gateway to the Fjords” and is the largest city in the fjord region (population 270,000). It is situated between Sognefjord, the longest fjord, and the beautiful Hardangfjord. It was once the capital of Norway, prior to the Middle Ages. It was the largest city in Scandinavia until 1650; the largest city in Norway until 1830.

Bergen gets average of 80” of rain annually. A good year enjoys 60 days of sunshine. Bergen saying: “ There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” (it is a rhyme in Norwegian language).

Fisketorget is the Fish Market and has thrived since 1500s. It is now a touristic destination where one can sample and purchase torsk (dried cod), laks (salmon), and minke (dried whale meat).  Sausages of reindeer and moose are also available, as are crabs, lobsters and caviar. 

 One can also purchase berries - but only in summer!




Bryggen (/BREW-gun/)
From 1370-1754, German merchants controlled Bergen’s trade. This was a mutually beneficial economic arrangement. The Norwegian cod fishermen of the north would bring dried cod to Bergen. The Hanseatic merchants would then ship it to Europe as an easily stored protein. Until 1850, the cod oil was used to light lamps.  

The iconic 900-year old Brygge has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. These wooden row tenement warehouses are built on the wharfs and have suffered many devastating fires and other catastrophes. In 1350, a horrific plague decimated the population – killing half the people living in the Brygge. One of the largest explosions during WWII happened in the Brygge on April 20, 1944 (Hitler’s 55^th birthday).