Enjoy the Adorable and Colorful Streets of Norway! Introducing the World Heritage Site, Bryggen

In Bergen, the second-largest city in southwestern Norway, you will find the World Heritage Site, Bryggen. Once the capital of Norway, Bergen is also a popular base for fjord sightseeing tours and a well-known tourist destination that attracts visitors from around the world, especially in the summer.
Along the Vågen Bay in Bergen’s harbor district, around 60 strikingly colorful wooden warehouses stand in a row. This district, filled with these numerous warehouses, is Bryggen, a registered World Heritage Site. Many of these warehouses have been converted into shops, making it an enjoyable place to explore. Here, we will introduce you to the World Heritage Site, Bryggen.

What is Bryggen?

The World Heritage Site, Bryggen, is a district of medieval Norwegian architecture featuring wooden warehouse houses built between the 13th and 16th centuries. In 1360, an office was established here by the Hanseatic League, leading to an influx of German merchants.
For approximately 400 years, Bryggen flourished as a settlement for German Hanseatic merchants. During this time, the warehouses stored fish harvested in Norway and grain imported from Europe. Even today, remnants of the stockfish trade from that era can be seen throughout Bryggen.

Due to its tightly packed wooden structures, much of Bryggen has been destroyed by fires multiple times. However, it has been repeatedly restored and reconstructed, preserving its historical appearance. Some of the oldest buildings date back to the 15th century, allowing visitors to experience its rich history.

How to Get to Bryggen

From Bergen Airport, it takes about 30 minutes by bus or taxi to reach Bryggen in Bergen city center.
Additionally, visitors can travel to Bergen by train or bus from various European cities such as Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki while enjoying scenic fjord sightseeing. Purchasing a rail pass to plan your journey could also be a great option.

Recommended Spots in Bryggen

1. Old Town

The Old Town in the World Heritage Site Bryggen is filled with attractions. The wooden-floored alleys were designed to facilitate the movement of transport carts carrying goods. The protruding windows are equipped with pulleys, hinting at how stockfish was lifted up and down in the past.
Today, many of these warehouses have been converted into boutiques, cafes, souvenir shops, and artist studios, making it a popular area among tourists. Be sure to pick up your Bryggen World Heritage souvenirs here.

2. Bryggen Museum

The Bryggen Museum is a modern museum built in 1976 on the site of a fire that devastated Bryggen in 1955.
Inside, visitors can find large-scale exhibits, including artifacts excavated from the Hanseatic League era and full-scale replicas of 12th-century Bergen residences. Other exhibits include European pottery, runic inscriptions, medieval swords and crosses, and the skeletal framework of Viking-era ships.
Additionally, the museum features displays on the restoration efforts following the fires, providing a valuable historical perspective on the World Heritage Site, Bryggen.

3. Wooden Carving of Stockfish

A popular feature of Bryggen is the wooden carving of stockfish, which is not to be missed. Occasionally, you might even spot children playing on it. This sculpture symbolizes Bryggen’s history as a hub of stockfish trade, which was actively conducted by German merchants for over 400 years. Today, stockfish remains a specialty of northern Norway, making this a great spot to take a commemorative photo during your visit.
Nearby, there is also a well where visitors toss coins and make wishes. The collected coins are used for the preservation of Bryggen.

◎ Summary

This article introduced the charm of the World Heritage Site, Bryggen. Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city after Oslo, is packed with attractions. With its frequent rainy and cloudy days, the colorful buildings of Bryggen brighten up the atmosphere of the town, making them truly invaluable. The view of Bryggen from across the bay is a perfect photo opportunity, so don’t forget to capture the moment!

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Enjoy the Adorable and Colorful Streets of Norway! Introducing the World Heritage Site, Bryggen