Walking in Bergen city center

This is the Festplassen in Byparken. The park was planned after the town fire in 1855 when large parts of the center burned down. It thus also became the first official park in Bergen. When it was opened in 1865, it went by the name "The Great Park" The park surrounds Lille Lungårdsvann, which was once connected to the sea through the Puddefjord in Laksevåg. Increased population meant that large parts of this water, and that which once belonged to Store Lungårdsvann, have been filled again for urban purposes. Birds have put their love on the water, and in particular mallards, gray gulls, herring gulls, house sparrows and pigeons are numerous on and around the water. The music pavilion you see sits centrally on the middle lawn, and in the summer is a very favorite photo motif, surrounded as it is by an abundant and colorful bed of summer flowers. On the other side of the water is Biblioteks plassen. The silvery sculpture by Olav Kyrre dominates the space, but the lawn area is also large enough for people to settle down on the lawn and read a book borrowed from the library. The distinctive "Smålunger benches" can be found around the park. There you can relax, enjoy the beautiful fountain, the many Rhododendrons or study the beautiful sculptures around the water.

Few people have put Bergen on the musical world map like Edvard Grieg. He was born in 1843, and grew up in these and the nearby streets. Grieg took an early interest in music and his mother taught him to play the piano when he was only 5 years old. As a nine-year-old, he gradually began to compose, and several works from his youth can be found in his collections. The talent was caught by the violin virtuoso Ole Bull, who encouraged Edvard Grieg to study music in Germany. Grieg is considered to be a national romantic composer, with Norwegian folk music as an important source of inspiration. "Morning mood" and the other pieces from the "Peer Gynt suite" are the most famous compositions in addition to the "Concerto in A minor". The concert halls were crowded when he gave his concerts, and he received standing ovations around the world with his lyrical pieces. In 1867, Edvard married his cousin, Nina Hagerup, and they built a house outside Bergen, on what became known as "Troldhaugen", and it was Edvard Grieg's home for the last 22 years of his life. The house is today a museum and the furnishings in the living rooms are Grieg's own from his death in 1907.

This area is dedicated to the violinist and composer Ole Bull, who also gave the place its name. The statue towering over the rock masses is a popular photo motif. He came into the world in 1810, and little did they perhaps know in Os, just outside Bergen, that this would become one of the world's greatest musicians of his kind. Bull showed exceptional musical abilities early on and started playing the violin already at the age of 5. Good training followed the young talent throughout his childhood and after studying in Oslo he traveled to Paris and toured around Europe. His breakthrough came in Bologna in 1834. After this he was hailed as the equal of the Italian Nicolò Paganini. Everywhere he was received with ovations, and his success was always overwhelming. In Norway he became a folk hero. In 1843–1845 he made his first trip to the United States. Here he was received with possibly even greater enthusiasm than in Europe. Ole Bull was closely associated with both theater and the most renowned Norwegian writers. In 1850, Bull founded Det norske Theater, which was the first theater in Bergen and Norway. Here he connected with Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Henrik Wergeland. In his 70-year-old life, he is probably best remembered for his ability to enchant the audience, but composing was also close to his heart and the collection numbers 70 compositions.

This area was formerly part of Ole Bull's place, but was named King Olav's place to commemorate the king after his death. King Olav V was Norway's king from 1957 to 1991. He was a very popular king and always had a funny story in store. He always stood on the people's side and when the oil crisis paralyzed Norway he left the limousine in the garage. King Olav took the tram like all other ordinary people. He was the son of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud, and was baptized Alexander Edward Christian Frederik and was Prince of Denmark. When his father was crowned king after the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905, the Prince was only two years old and was named Crown Prince Olav. The crown prince was then the first Norwegian heir to the throne to grow up in Norway since the Middle Ages. He became interested in sports early on and was an active sailor for over 70 years. The highlight of his sports career was when he won Olympic gold in Amsterdam in 1928. The following year, Crown Prince Olav married Princess Märtha of Sweden and they had three children together. The king and his family have always stood strong in Norway. The slogan for the Norwegian kings has been "All for Norway". Popularity, warmth and empathy in good times and vigor in bad times are descriptions that contribute to the fact that the Norwegian people not only stand behind our own king, but also look up to and admire him.

Few authors have made a mark on literature as the man in front of you has done. Henrik Ibsen's dramatizations have been published, performed and filmed all over the world. He is considered the founder of the modern, realistic drama. Ibsen was a technical virtuoso of drama, one of the most skilled at using dramatic devices. He was born in Skien in 1828 in a wealthy home, but he quickly caught up with the realities of life when his father went bankrupt. He started working and studying at the same time in the evenings. Eventually he came to Bergen and was allowed to assist as a co-author at Det Norske Theater. Not long after, he debuted with his first play in 1953 and then things took off. He continued his writing in Oslo a few years later, but had a short stay abroad of 27 years, including in Italy, before he returned to Oslo again. Well-known plays such as "A Doll's House", "An Enemy of Folk" and "Peer Gynt" are some of his world-famous works. There are over 200 known film recordings. Legendary Jane Fonda played the character Nora in the American version of "a doll's house". German, Russian, Japanese and Italian versions followed on a continuous basis. Henrik Ibsen died and was buried in Oslo in 1906.

"Ja, vi elsker landet" or Yes, we love the country, is the national anthem of Norway, written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson posing in front of you now. He was Norway's great national poet from the middle of the 19th century, and has since had a place as one of the "big four" alongside Kielland, Ibsen and Lie. As a brilliant public speaker and committed participant in public debate both in Norway and abroad, he was very controversial - and much loved. Bjørnson was born on Tynset in 1832, but grew up on Nesset in Møre og Romsdal. He moved to Oslo to start university, but started as a journalist instead. The art of communicating in writing quickly showed itself, a gift he also received orally. Multiple theater reviews contributed to close ties around theater business. For a while he was artistic director at Ole Bull's theater in Bergen, before returning to Oslo as both theater director and editor. National romanticism flourished in Norway. Bjørnson was influenced by his contemporaries, but was also versatile in his writing and concerned with portraying darker aspects of Norwegian folk life. All his qualities were rewarded with the Nobel Prize in Literature. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson died in 1910. Left behind were his wife Karoline and their five children.

You have now moved into Bergen's great hall, Torgalmenningen. "Allmenning", comes from the Old Norse word "almenningr" which means all men or the entire population. In Bergen, this is associated with wide open streets or squares to prevent fire from spreading. Bergen has been ravaged by large, dramatic fires throughout history, many of which have subsequently left their mark on the design of the city. This and other "Almenninger" in Bergen was mainly built after the catastrophic city fire in 1582. When almost the entire city burned down with a man and a mouse. The name "Torgalmenningen" was first used after the town fire in 1702 and the current design with facades, shops and decoration was carried out after another fire which ravaged in 1916. There is always something going on at Torgallmenningen. Bergen is a big festival city, and at many of the big events there is a queue for the free experiences as long as you are in the centre. Do you like shopping? Then you are in the right place. Around you you will find small and large shops and shopping centres, as well as fashionable cafés and restaurants for every taste. Take a deep breath and feel the city air. It's Bergen!

The large monument that rises in front of you now has been set up in memory of all Norwegians' efforts on the capricious sea and the erratic sea outside Norway. The Sailors's Monument is a national monument to Norwegian sailors' efforts at sea, where four centuries of Norwegian maritime history are reviewed on the monument's many sides. Each side is represented by four rough sailor sculptures and two reliefs that tell each century's story. The tenth century is presented as "Vinlandsferd" and describes both the discovery of America and the Vikings on their way to Europe. The eighteenth century is symbolized through "Greenland journey", which shows sailors' life at the time as well as the rediscovery of Greenland from Bergen. "The grain Journey" characterizes the nineteenth century and shows the emergence of the growing commercial importance for Norwegian shipping, symbolized by a shipowner, a first voyage boy and a pilot. The twentieth century shows the team "Oil Shipping", and symbolizes the modern and forward-looking maritime nation. At the same time, the reliefs show a ship in front of a rising sun and a resurrection scene. With reference to the drowned being raised to eternal life by an angel. With that as a backdrop, it is good to remind each other of all the tens of thousands of sailors who have lost their lives at sea, whether it is bad weather, accidents or war.

The characteristic swan you see above the door of the pharmacy shows that you have arrived at the old "Svane apoteket". Today Ithe pharmacy is called "Apotek 1 Svanen", and is considered the country's oldest pharmacy. It was established in 1595 when the Dutch-born merchant Nicolaus de Freundt received royal permission from King Christian IV to run a pharmacy in Bergen. In 1688, the pharmacy was taken over by the Swedish-born Johan de Besche. He was licensed as a pharmacist in Bergen and bought the pharmacy of the later police chief Henrich Blat. De Besche's descendants sat with the pharmacy until 1793 where they planted a herb garden – later known as Maartmannshaven – on the north bank of Lille Lungårdsvann. The violin virtuoso Ole Bull was born here on 5 February 1810. His father and grandfather were both pharmacists. This building was destroyed by the town fire in 1916, but a new farm, with address Strandgaten 6/8, was completed in 1921

Now you stand in the heart of the city between the seven mountains. Norway's most famous outdoor fish market"Fisketorget" is located here. Fresh fish and seafood, locally produced farm food such as fruit, berries and vegetables as well as flowers and plants are sold at "Fisketorget". The Fish Market in Bergen has been a meeting place for merchants, fishermen, locals and tourists since the 13th century. In the summer months, you can stroll through Fisketorget and the smell of freshly cooked prawns and crabs will make your mouth water. All around you, you will find restaurants with taste experiences you won't soon forget. Both city fires, city developments and filling in the ditch have changed the location of the square somewhat, but never changed its function as a meeting place for buying and selling. In the old days, the boats came sailing in "Vågen" every morning, and moored the boats into the harbor with fresh fish that was laid out on tables all along the Fish Market. The fishermen's wives stood at the front with their hats and sold the delicacies to distinguished Bergens with hats and canes. At times there could be so many boats moored that you could dry dock the boats across the fjord, and the market was like a teeming anthill, where money and fish of all kinds changed hands on a large scale.

Bergen has fostered many artists and the man who towers over the plinth is Ludvig Holberg himself. He was born in Bergen in 1684 and grew up in a rich family, but lost both parents before he was 10 years old. At the age of 18, he was sent to Copenhagen to study and eventually became a professor. The first important texts from Holberg only came when he was well into his twenties. He mostly wrote comedies, but also scientific treatises, stories in rhyme, prose stories, letters, essays and satires. He is considered the greatest and most important Norwegian-Danish writer of the 18th century. In addition, he was an important public informant and educator. He was socially engaged and socially critical, but at the same time bound by the norms and rules of the time. Therefore, he often let his opinions be expressed through satire in what he produced. He was concerned with religious freedom, equality and a fair legal system. Among his most successful plays that are still popular were the comedies, "Jeppe på Bjerget", Jeppe on the hill, "Den Stundesløse", The fidget and "Erasmus Montanus". He died aged 69 in Copenhagen, but his name lives on through his writing, statues and street names.

"Korskirken", The Cross Church in Bergen oozes history and fire. It is said that it has been the victim of as many as seven of the big city fires in Bergen in the last 1,000 years. Therefore, this is not the original building either, but the later entries are therefore in exactly the same place. The first church was ready in 1150 and was then built of wood. Today's church has a ground plan like a cross, hence the name. The church of the cross was considered one of the few churches in Norway that was in possession of a relic of "the true cross", i.e. the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The church is first mentioned by King Sverre who in 1181 won the battle against the "Bagler" and then kissed all the churches in Bergen. Later, the church functioned as a royal chapel and castle church in addition to being a garrison church for the troops from the 17th century until 1940. Today, the Korskirken is managed by the Church's City Mission as an open church.

In front of you is the "Fløibanen", a railway cable car that takes you 320 meters up to the top of Fløyen. This is one of Norway's most famous tourist attractions, and a panoramic view of the city awaits at the top. There you can spot everything from houses, cars and people in Bergen's streets, to the mountains and the gap in the sea in the distance. The cable car was officially opened in 1918. At a speed of just over 14 km/h, it takes you up the 848 meter long track in 5 - 6 minutes. The route is run by two carriages with the characteristic names Rødhette and Blåmann, each of which can take around 100 passengers. The Fløibanen and Fløyen are Bergen's biggest tourist attraction and one of Norway's most visited destinations, but the trip itself is an experience. Throughout the year, over two million people take the trip on the spectacular course.

Where you stand now, there has been noisy life and trade for almost a thousand years. Bryggen in Bergen is one of Norway's largest tourist destinations. No less than 61 of the beautiful historic buildings you see around you are protected and are on UNESCO's world heritage list. The buildings were erected from 1070 onwards, and soon became a hub for trade with mostly Germany as well as other countries. As early as 1360, they established the German office at Bryggen pier, or "Tyskebryggen", as it was called, with responsibility for the Hanseatic trading activities in Norway. The Hansa company was also the Nordics' first trading company. The area has therefore also been referred to as Hansabryggen, and it was only in 1945 that it was officially called Bryggen. The commercial farms at Bryggen functioned as warehouses for goods for export and import. Grain from Central Europe was imported and dried fish from Northern Norway was exported. During the spring and autumn conventions, the stalls were full of dried fish to be exported. Dried fish was an important commodity for the Catholic countries, which made use of the dried fish during Lent. Fires have ravaged Bergen and Bryggen since the buildings were built. The building structure has nevertheless been retained during reconstruction for the enjoyment of all who wish to wander the narrow streets and corridors between the houses.

Here, at Shetlands-Larsen's wharf, you can look at Shetlands-Larsen, which in turn looks down on the Nordstjernen. The half-star in front of the sculpture has engraved the names of all 513 Norwegian sailors who lost their lives during the Second World War. Leif Andreas Larsen, or "Shetlands-Larsen" as he was called, is a real Norwegian war hero. Using fishing boats, he crossed the North Sea 52 times with agents, loads of weapons and refugees, and survived two shipwrecks in the foaming sea. He became one of the most highly decorated Allied soldiers and was twice awarded the War Cross with sword, Norway's highest award. He was born in Bergen in 1906 and served as a sailor already at the age of 16 on all the world's seas. When the war came to Norway, he participated in the defense forces before enlisting in the English Navy. Here he became central to the Shetlands gang, a Norwegian naval unit under British command that transported refugees and agents back and forth between Norway and Shetland, hence the name Shetlands-Larsen. Leif Andreas fell asleep at Haukeland Hospital in 1990, aged 84.

In 1665 brutal English warships attacked a large fleet of Dutch ships that sought refuge in Bergen's neutral harbour. When the self-confident English attacked, the fortress at Bergenhus put up a strong counter-guard and sent them back to England. The battle was short and became known as "The Battle of Vågen". You are now standing outside Bergenshus fortress, which is one of the oldest and best preserved in Norway. The fortress has a long history as a royal seat, episcopal seat and center of military power. The development started early in the 16th century and was at its greatest around the year 1700. During the Second World War, Bergenhus was used as headquarters in the west by the German occupying power. The concrete bunker in the middle of the fortress area was built by Soviet prisoners of war. The explosion accident at Vågen on 20 April 1944 caused extensive damage to the oldest buildings at Bergenhus. Today, around 200 military commanders and civilian employees have their daily work at the fortress, but large parts are open to the public. The fortress area is otherwise used for representation, opera and theater performances, large concerts and other cultural events.

King Haakon VII was Norway's first king in 600 years after the liberation from Denmark in 1814 and the dissolution of the union from Sweden in 1905. He was born on 3 August 1872 outside Copenhagen. His name was originally Prince Carl, and he was the second eldest son of the King Frederik and Queen Louise of Denmark In 1905, the Danish prince Carl was offered the Norwegian crown and took the name Haakon VII after a referendum. He was married to Queen Maud, daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Great Britain. When they arrived in Oslo in 1905, they were met with cheering crowds and ringing church bells from all over the city. The couple was officially crowned in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on 22 June 1906 after a longer coronation journey through Norway. King Haakon VII was a popular king in both good and bad times. During the occupation of Norway during the Second World War, he accompanied the government to England where, together with the allies, he contributed greatly to the liberation of Europe. The king adopted the slogan "All for Norway" which he followed until his last breath on 21 September 1957.