Bryggen

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.