Norway is a beautiful and hospitable country. Its residents are always happy to see guests from all over the world. And tourists are not long in coming. They enjoy visiting this fabulous country, the acquaintance of which usually opens the city of Bergen. It is with him that almost all tourist routes begin.
Norway on the map
This is the northernmost country in Europe. Its shores are washed by the Arctic Ocean, the North and Norwegian Seas. In addition, the Skagerrak Strait opens the way to the Baltic Sea. Another part of the country is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Most of its territory is mountains and rocks, many of which are covered with eternal ice.
Livestock breeding is developed in the country - on mountain slopes and remote valleys, three hundred thousand cattle and flocks of sheep grazing in numbers of more than two million heads are grazed.
Norway, due to its geographical location, is rich in fish stocks. In addition, it confidently takes a place in a dozen countries in oil production. This is one of the largest maritime powers.
Bergen: Location
The second largest city in this state is Bergen. A map of Norway will show you that it is located on the shores of the North Sea, in the west of the country. By road, the distance from the capital of Oslo is 478 km. The distance to Moscow is 1952 km. Bergen Square - 465 square meters. km
From the history of the city
Bergen is the second most populated and largest city in Norway. Its foundation is attributed to the period between 1066 and 1093 years. A more accurate date has not been set. The King of Norway, Olav Kire, visited this famous Viking harbor and proclaimed it a city. In the thirteenth century, this locality became the capital. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, it was considered the largest city in the country. In the fourteenth century, Bergen (Norway) became one of the members of the Hanseatic League, concluded by merchants of the Baltic and European countries.
From this moment began the heyday of the economy of this locality. There was a need for service of navigation and trade, the possibility of marketing craft products. In the twentieth century, Bergen's architecture was severely damaged, many ancient monuments were destroyed during the fire of 1916, and in 1944 a fascist ship exploded in the harbor, as a result several buildings were destroyed.
Bergen: what can be seen
If you are going to Norway, you should think over the route in advance and decide what you want to see when visiting Bergen. The sights of this city are unique. We are talking about nature reserves and cultural and historical monuments.
Quay Bruggen
First of all, all tourists are brought here. The embankment has been used by merchants for international trade since the fourteenth century. Today, this ancient quarter is a world-wide monument, which is protected by UNESCO.
Over the entire history of the embankment, fires raged repeatedly on it, ruthlessly destroying unique historical and architectural monuments. Today it is one of the most popular quarters of the city. During the year it is visited by more than a million tourists. Galleries and museums, shops and cafes are concentrated here. On the territory of the Bergenhus fortress, built in the Middle Ages, there are two more historical monuments that glorified Bergen. Norway is proud of the medieval residence of the country's rulers, the ancient castle of King Haakon Haakonson (it was built in the thirteenth century) and the Rosencrantz tower (its construction dates back to the sixteenth century).
The palace is the largest secular building in the city. At first, it had three floors. On the first, provisions were stored, the second was used for living, on the third, solemn ceremonies were held. After 1299, Oslo became the capital of Norway, and the castle was no longer used for its intended purpose. At first it was a barn, and during the war with the Nazis - a defensive structure. Today it houses a museum.
Church of St. Mary
The oldest building in the city. Scientists claim that the church was built in the years 1140-1180. The construction is made in the Romanesque style. At first it was Catholic, and now it is Protestant. In 2014, the church greets its parishioners and tourists, opening after restoration.
Museums
In the oldest wooden house in Bergen is the Hanseatic Museum. Its interior is made in the style of the eighteenth century and represents a picture from the life of a typical Hanseatic merchant. A fifteen minute drive from the city center is the Grieg House Museum. Here you will see an exhibition dedicated to the life of Nina and Edward Grieg.
The Fisheries Museum will tell you about the development of fisheries in Norway and its marine resources. They will tell you about the peculiarities of hunting for whales, seals, you will learn what equipment and machinery are used in this.
In the Museum of Art you can see an exposition of world and Norwegian art from the fifteenth century to the present.
The Museum of Applied Arts will show you an amazing collection of silver, jewelry, marble, porcelain.
At St. George's Hospital you can visit the Museum of Leprosy. Here, for more than five hundred years, unfortunate people who have become ill with this terrible disease have been treated. Doctors from Norway have made a huge contribution to the study of this disease.
Museum "Old Bergen"
This is a unique outdoor exhibition that Bergen is proud of. Norway of the 18-19th centuries is represented by forty wooden houses. Their interiors are made in strict accordance with the traditions of that time. On the territory of the museum you can see a pharmacy, a bakery, a bakery, a grocery store, etc.
Unique lake
In the center of Bergen, near the Art Museum, there is a lake of amazing beauty. It is called Lille-Lungordsvann. The pond has the shape of an octagon. This is a natural lake, which is very popular among citizens. Guests come here with pleasure. Families with children love to walk on its shores, picnics are arranged.
A palace was built here in the sixteenth century, and the lake has since been called Lungordsvann, and it has become the castle’s inner harbor. At first, the reservoir was large - the lake flowed into the bay of the same name. In 1926 he was bombarded. Only the underground communication between the bay and the lake is preserved.
Fish market
This is undoubtedly the country's oldest market. He is over seven hundred years old. It is located near the Bruggen quarter in the harbor of Vogen. It offers freshly caught fish and seafood. Those who wish can buy and bring cooked salmon and boiled shrimp with them or try these delicacies right in the market, in small cozy cafes. Prices here are much cheaper than in restaurants, which does not affect quality.
Here you can also visit numerous souvenir shops selling handicrafts of Norwegian artisans.
Floyen funicular
Every year, Norway is becoming more and more attractive for tourists. Bergen, whose photo you see in this article, is visited annually by thousands of guests from around the world. One of the main attractions of this beautiful city is the funicular. Everyone can make an interesting trip to the top of Mount Floyen, to a height of 320 meters, and enjoy the magnificent view that opens onto the surrounding fjords and the city bay. Here, souvenir shops, restaurants, and playgrounds for children will open their doors to tourists.
Cableway
If you want to climb the highest mountain in the suburbs of Bergen - Upriken (642 meters), then you will need to use the cable car, which was built in 1959. It is used not only by tourists, but also by local residents.
Aquarium
On the edge of the Nordes peninsula is the famous Bergen Aquarium. Here, city dwellers with children and city guests are very fond of spending time. The Aquarium contains dozens of species of fish, sea seals and lions, penguins. You can attend special shows, and at certain times observe the feeding and training of marine inhabitants.
What are fjords
This is the name for a winding and narrow, deeply penetrating into the land sea bay. Its length is usually tens of times greater than its width. The shores of the fjord are cliffs up to 1000 meters high. They owe their formation to the movement of tectonic plates, as a result of which huge cracks and faults appear.
Bergen Fjords
Historical and architectural monuments throughout the world glorified Bergen. Norway is rightfully proud of them and carefully preserves. Along with them, Norway's fame and the city itself brought the famous fjords. Two of the three largest education in the world are located here. The Gulf Stream has a favorable effect on the climate of the fjords in Norway. It is soft, the water practically does not freeze. Hundred fjord is the deepest. Its depth reaches 1308 meters. Nerei Fjord and Gerangerfjord are protected by UNESCO.