Bergen, or "Trebyen" the wooden city as it is sometimes called (it has a good number of wooden houses), was founded in 1070. With 250,000 inhabitants it is Norway’s second largest city, after Oslo. Once a bustling centre for the powerful Hanseatic League and even once the medieval capital of Norway, Bergen is situated in the south west of the country amid its legendary seven mountains (although there seem to be more, when you start counting.) Several islands shelter it from the blast of the North Sea.
Languages
The dialect of Norwegian spoken in Bergen is Bergensk, a heavily German and Dutch influenced dialect of the region. It has many similarities to the two official written languages in Norway and is also apparently understandable to other Norwegians. As with other cities in Norway, English is wide spread and understood, especially in hotels and the tourist areas, so travel at ease.
See and Do
A city surrounded by wild waters and sharply rising mountains, beloved for its native son and world renowned composer Edvard Grieg and known for the power it shared as a Hanseatic port city, Bergen promises to be a destination to thrill even the seasoned traveller. See the restored Bryggen or Quay, a world heritage site, where the brightly painted rooftops of the old Hanseatic buildings make the night sparkle on the north side of the bay. During the day there are two museums providing insight into the history of the area and of the Hanseatic League. Take in the Bergenhus fortress built in the 13th century and once home to the king, and today one of the oldest surviving fortresses in Norway. For Bergen’s oldest surviving building, visit St. Mary's Church, which dates to the 12th century. A good selection of underwater wildlife may be seen at the Bergen Aquarium. Henrik Ibsen, the famous playwright, started his career in Bergen as the manager of the Den Nationale Scene, where visitors may purchase tickets for an outstanding evening performance of one of his or other great works. For music lovers tickets to the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1786, can make for an excellent though not so cheap outing. Additionally, Bergen boasts being home to the Bergen International Festival Nattjazz and Bergenfest, each worth a city-break to enjoy.
With the beauty of nature all around, it is no wonder that many locals spend a fair amount of time hiking, skiing and generally enjoying the mountains. For a tremendous view of the area, take the Fløibanen funicular up Mt. Fløyen, a plateau in the mountain Massif north east of the city centre. For advice on hiking, as well for hiking opportunities elsewhere in Norway, you should consult Bergen Turlag, Norway’s Hiking Association. Get your cheap tickets to Bergen from airBalticTravel and enjoy the beauty of nature all around.
