Picture above: narrow alleys in the historical center of Bryggen

The wooden facades of Bryggen are iconic for Bergen and are living evidence of the successful trade history of the town going back in time till the 12th century.  They are the symbol of the town but they are much more than the mere facades that are depicted on thousands of postcards.  Between the houses there are several narrow alley (gården) that lead you to the heart of the quarter where once upon a time this was a bustling center of commerce.  The labyrinth of wooden warehouses, constructed in several storeys, the one already more crooked than the other are now taken over for a new type of commercial activities such as clothing shops, souvenir shops and brasseries. 

The traditional wooden houses are typical for Norway but they are prone to fire.  Several time throughout its existence, Bergen has been victim of fires which didn't spare Bryggen either.  Luckily this quarter was rebuilt each time according to the original building pattern.  Thanks to this, the "wharf" is unique in its kind and is now registered by Unesco as part of our cultural world heritage.  The present look of Bryggen is largely the same as it was after the great fire of 1702.

At present, Bryggen is the touristic center of the town.  There are several interesting sights starting from the fish market till the Bergenhus fortress.  There are also a number of museums that focus on the rich heritage of the former Hansa town: Bryggen Museum, the Hanzemuseum and the Schøtstuene. 

The historical quarter Bryggen is a real must-do sight at each visit to Bergen!

Picture 1: A few of the historical facades of Brygges at the side of the quay with terraces in front.
Picture 2: Back side of the historical quarter
Picture 3: Warehouses that are 2 to 3 storeys high