June 6, Bergen

Bergen. Norwegian Fjords Cruise, June 2013 

Visit to Bergen, June 6, 2013 at Vision of the Seas Cruise from Copenhagen.

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and the most popular gateway to the fjords of West Norway. The city is renowned for its beautiful nature 

Follow me on my walking through Bergen: 

Bergenhus fortress is one of the oldest and best preserved forts of Norway. 

The oldest surviving buildings are from the mid 13th century, but the area was a royal residence from the late 11th century. The fortress is situated close to the cruise pier.

Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a three-masted barque sail training vessel built in 1914, one of the best kept in its kind.

Bryggen (north side of the bay). Between 1350 and 1750, this area used to be a Hansa dock, trading and processing area. The wooden houses at Bryggen today were built after the devastating city fire of 1702, but are probably very similar to the buildings that were there before. Despite neglect and fires, a considerable number 

of buildings have survived and are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

If you enter some of the alleyways between the storefronts, you really get a feel of what Bergen must have been like in the middle ages. but the most interesting aspect is probably that almost all of the buildings are still in use. Building first opened for this purpose in 1708. 

Bergen's outdoor fish market has a long history, being the historical center for fish trade. 

Most tourists find their way here, but with locals changing their shopping habits, 

the fish market today does not compare to what it once was. The fish market is dominated by makeshift souvenir shops and seafood stalls. 

Fløibanen is a funicular which goes up Fløyen, a plateau in the mountain massif north-east of the city center. From here, you get a great view of the city. 

And then back to the pier through the old city.