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Interesting Facts
- The city of Bergen is nicknamed "Kyrre," which means "peace loving." It was founded around the year 1070 by the twenty-year-old King Olav, who ruled the city until his death in 1093. Under his Kingship, Bergen became a thriving capital and the largest city in the Norway – a distinction it held for the next 600 years.
- Surrounded by the famous Norwegian Fjords, Bergen is referred to as the "Gateway to the Fjords." Perhaps the best view of the Fjords is from the peak of Mount Ulkrien, which is the highest mountain surrounding the old city. Visitors can take the Ulriksbanen Cable Car, which departs every seventy minutes, to the top where they can behold the magnificent view.
- Although Bergen is blessed with a rich Scandinavian history, it's also a modern city with many cultural attractions. In fact, Bergen has been selected as the European City of Culture for the year 2000. Over the course of the year, Bergen will put on a number of events that showcase the city's blend of dance, theater, music, art, and food.
- One of Bergen's most noted attractions is the famous Ramsus Meyer Collection at the Bergen Art Museum. The collection contains a number of fine works by the acclaimed nineteenth century painter, Edward Munch. Of particular interest are two self-portraits painted in the early 1900's.
- The family-oriented Bergen Aquarium is distinguished for housing one of the most extensive collections of marine fauna in all of Europe. The aquarium also boasts some seventy indoor tanks, as well as a large outdoor tank with seals and penguins.
- Bryggen, Bergen's historic wharf, is comprised of a group of stone and wooden buildings that date back to the Middle Ages. It is one of the country's most important historical landmarks and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument.
- Bergen is known as a city of music. The famous Bergen Philharmonic is the oldest in Europe and the city is home to many world-renowned composers and musicians, such as Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull, and Harald Sæverud. In addition, the Bergen International Festival, which is the largest annual event in Norway, showcases classical music, as well as theater and ballet.
- An interesting if somewhat grim attraction is the old St. George's's Hospital, which is now the Bergen's Leprosy Museum. For some 500 years, St. George's's was a hospital for lepers. Since 1992, it has served as a designated center for the history and research of the disfiguring disease.
- The famous writer and dramatist Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) lived in Bergen for six years, during which time he wrote at least five of his plays. He also served as the resident playwright and director at Ole Bull's Norwegian Theater, now known as The National Theater of Bergen.
- Do you smell something fishy? If so, you're probably standing near Torget, Bergen's waterfront fish market. If you can stand the pungent odor, Torget sells a range of delicious seafoods, as well as fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers at outstanding prices. It's also a great place to observe local boats passing in and out of the harbor.
