Background
Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, is a reminder of the town's importance in the Hanseatic League's trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century. UNESCO says many fires, the last in 1955, have ravaged the wooden houses, but rebuilding has followed old patterns and methods, preserving a relic of an ancient wooden urban structure once common in Northern Europe; some 62 buildings remain.
Bergen was founded around 1070 within the Bryggen area, and the Hanseatic Kontor was established there around 1350, storing stockfish from the north and cereal from Europe. The Kontor closed in 1754; about a quarter of today's buildings date from after the fire of 1702.
- c. 1070Bergen is founded within the Bryggen area
- c. 1350The Hanseatic League opens its Kontor
- 1702Fire; the wharf is rebuilt
- 1754The Kontor's properties pass to Norwegian citizens
- 1955The last great fire
- 1979Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1The WharfThe row of wooden warehouses and the alleys behind them.
- 2Hanseatic Museum and SchøtstueneA merchant's house and the assembly rooms, among the oldest buildings.
- 3Bryggens MuseumArchaeology from under the wharf.
- 4The Fish MarketAcross the harbour on Vågen.
- 5Mount FløyenThe funicular view over the harbour and the wharf.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Wharf and Mountain
From the GoGo Bergen guide · Open the Bergen Guide ›
- 09:00Bryggen Wharf75 minThe wooden warehouses.
- 10:30Hanseatic Museum1 hrA merchant's house.
- 11:30Bergen Fish Market1 hrShrimps and smoked salmon on the harbour.
- 14:00Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen2 hrsUp the funicular for the view.
- 21:00Bryggen at Night45 minLit up across the harbour.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: May. Freezing days in Nov–Mar. Rainy season Jun–Apr.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
