Velkommen !
Bergen , city (1995 pop. 221,645), capital of Hordaland co., SW Norway, situated on inlets of the North Sea. It is Norway's second largest city and a major shipping center. Formerly a major textile and ship-building center, the city's economy is now mainly service-based, including educational, medical, technical, insurance, financial, and retailing services. A small shipyard and ship-repair facilities remain. Other manufacturing includes fish processing, steel, machinery, and electrical equipment.
Founded c.1070 by Olaf III (Olaf Kyrre), Bergen soon became the largest city of medieval Norway. It was often the royal seat, and the earliest coronations took place there. The city became an establishment of the Hanseatic League in the mid-14th cent. The Hansa merchants, enjoying extraterritorial privileges, imposed their unpopular rule on Bergen until 1560, and thereafter continued to have influence until the late 18th cent. During the disturbances accompanying the Reformation (16th cent.), most of the city's old churches and monasteries were destroyed. However, Bergen remained Norway's leading city until the rise of Oslo in the 19th cent.
The center of Bergen was rebuilt after a severe fire in 1916. Nevertheless, the city retains many impressive monuments of its medieval past. One of its most famous buildings is Bergenhus fortress, which contains Haakon's Hall (1261); it was rebuilt after being heavily damaged in World War II. Other old buildings include the Quay, a group of wooden quayside houses rebuilt in their medieval style after a fire in 1702; St. Mary's Church (12th cent.); Fantoft Stavkirke (12th cent., destroyed by fire in 1994 and reconstructed); and, just south of Bergen, the 12th-century ruins of Norway's first Cistercian monastery.
One of the chief cultural and educational centers of Norway, Bergen has a university (founded 1948), a school of economics and business administration, several scientific institutes, and a Hanseatic museum. Bergen's theater was founded (1850) by the composer and violinist Ole Bull and gained international recognition under such directors as Ibsen and Bjørnson. The dramatist Ludvig Holberg (1684) and the composer Edvard Grieg (1843) were born in Bergen.
Founded c.1070 by Olaf III (Olaf Kyrre), Bergen soon became the largest city of medieval Norway. It was often the royal seat, and the earliest coronations took place there. The city became an establishment of the Hanseatic League in the mid-14th cent. The Hansa merchants, enjoying extraterritorial privileges, imposed their unpopular rule on Bergen until 1560, and thereafter continued to have influence until the late 18th cent. During the disturbances accompanying the Reformation (16th cent.), most of the city's old churches and monasteries were destroyed. However, Bergen remained Norway's leading city until the rise of Oslo in the 19th cent.
The center of Bergen was rebuilt after a severe fire in 1916. Nevertheless, the city retains many impressive monuments of its medieval past. One of its most famous buildings is Bergenhus fortress, which contains Haakon's Hall (1261); it was rebuilt after being heavily damaged in World War II. Other old buildings include the Quay, a group of wooden quayside houses rebuilt in their medieval style after a fire in 1702; St. Mary's Church (12th cent.); Fantoft Stavkirke (12th cent., destroyed by fire in 1994 and reconstructed); and, just south of Bergen, the 12th-century ruins of Norway's first Cistercian monastery.
One of the chief cultural and educational centers of Norway, Bergen has a university (founded 1948), a school of economics and business administration, several scientific institutes, and a Hanseatic museum. Bergen's theater was founded (1850) by the composer and violinist Ole Bull and gained international recognition under such directors as Ibsen and Bjørnson. The dramatist Ludvig Holberg (1684) and the composer Edvard Grieg (1843) were born in Bergen.
Food&Drink
Have breakfast or lunch at Godt Brød. They serve the best ecological sandwiches in town. The brownies and sommerbolle (sweet bun with vanilla custard) are yummy too. Find Godt Brød in Korskirken, Vestre Torvgate and Vetrlidsallmenning. Smakverket (Rasmus Meyers Allé 3) is another excellent choice for lunch and really good coffee.
For really great coffee I highly recommend Kaffemisjonen in Øvre Korskirkeallmenning 5. Dromedar(Strandgaten 81), Det Lille Kaffekompaniet (Nedre Fjellsmauet 2), and BarBarista (Stølegaten 8a) are also great.
Good restaurantes: Bølgen & Moi (Rasmus Meyers Allé 9),Café Opera (Engen 18), Pingvinen (Vaskerelven 14), Potetkjelleren (Kong Oscars gate 1), Soho Kitchen & Lounge (Håkonsgaten 27), Søtt + Salt (they did the catering in our wedding), Colonialen (Engen 8), Lucullus (Valkendorfsgate 8), Hanne på Høyden (Fosswinckelsgate 18), Kroathai (Nygårdsgaten 29),Escalon (Vestrlidsallmenning 21), Jacobs Bar & Kjøkken (Kong Oscars gate 44).
Contra Bar offers a stylish environment and lively crowed in the centre of town ( Nedre Ole Bulls pl 4.)
KONG OSCAR'S PØLSE STAND. Best hotdogs in town!( Kong Oscars gate 3)
Muffin og Hekkel. A cosy retro looking cafe with great service from beautiful owner Ingrid. The best toasties in town! ( Skostredet 12)
Skipet Mex Tex. Amazing mexican food and great atmosphere! Ask for my younger sister Ingrid who runs this brand new restaurant (torget 13)
For beer(Hansa is our lokal brew) and rock visit Legal and the legendary Garage (Christiesgate 11 and 14)
SHOPS
Lot333 found in the street, which in general has become a little oasis well worth spending time in. With brands such as Stine Goya, Best Behaviour, Surface2Air, Keep, Won Hundred and more (Beach street 72)
Walks&Views
Catch the funicular to mount Fløyen and get a nice view of the city. Well, depending on the weather, of course... Or take the cable car to the highest of the seven mountain tops surrounding Bergen, Mount Ulriken. There are lots of great walking trails up there which I highly recommend.
FLIGHTS
There are daily direct flights.
London Gatwick to Bergen Thurs 19 / Friday 20 May
Norwegian fly
LDN Gatwick 0820 - Bergen 1120
or
LDN Gatwick 2010 - Bergen 2310
SAS fly daily
LDN Gatwick 2035 - 2335
Bergen - London Gatwick Sunday 22 May
Norwegian fly
Bergen 1430 - Gatwick 1530
or
Bergen 1835 - Gatwick 1940
SAS fly
Bergen 1845 - Gatwick 1950
Norwegian is flying Friday 0820, returning Sunday 1835 for approx £89 return per person including all taxes.
London Gatwick to Bergen Thurs 19 / Friday 20 May
Norwegian fly
LDN Gatwick 0820 - Bergen 1120
or
LDN Gatwick 2010 - Bergen 2310
SAS fly daily
LDN Gatwick 2035 - 2335
Bergen - London Gatwick Sunday 22 May
Norwegian fly
Bergen 1430 - Gatwick 1530
or
Bergen 1835 - Gatwick 1940
SAS fly
Bergen 1845 - Gatwick 1950
Norwegian is flying Friday 0820, returning Sunday 1835 for approx £89 return per person including all taxes.
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