Viking Traveller 2nd Issue

CITY GUIDE
The charming city of Bergen looks out onto the
tumbling archipelagos of land that fall away
into the North Sea, making it the ultimate
stepping-stone from which to discover the icy fjords and
the Arctic beyond. With its coloured houses casting a
pristine reflection onto the calm waters of the North Sea
as it meanders inland, and with a mystical mountainous
backdrop, the second largest of Norway’s cities is a spectacle
to behold in itself. Settled originally by the Vikings, the city
went on to flourish and was once a centre of the Hanseatic
League’s trading empire. For four centuries, merchants
worked on the Bryggen wharf. Today the buildings that
remain are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DON’T MISS
• An exciting trip up the Fløibanen Funicular takes you
high above the rooftops, up to Mt. Fløien. Here you will
rewarded with panoramic views of Bryggen and the harbour
and you will gain access to a network of hiking trails.
• For history aficionados, the Hanseatic Museum provides
a comprehensive insight into medieval life in Bergen when
the Hanseatic League was the centre of life in the city. The
museum is located in a beautiful building, once owned by a
merchant.
• A spectacular example of modern Norwegian architecture
is Grieg Hall, designed and dedicated to the Bergen-born
composer with a spectacular exterior that takes inspiration
from the surrounding landscape and from some of his own
compositions.
• Bergen has a trio of beautiful old churches that serve as
reminders of the city’s heritage and are uniquely Arctic in
design: Domkirken, Bergen Cathedral, and Korskirken.
• Bergenhus Fortress is one of the oldest and best-preserved
of Norway’s castles, and harks back to the 13th century, when
it served as a royal residence. Many of Bergen’s buildings date
back to the 1240s, and one excavation has revealed structures
from 1100, remnants of the Viking Age. Discover the
gardens, the neighbouring 13th century tour with splendid
harbour views, and the spectacular 13th-century Håkon’s
Hall – the largest surviving medieval secular building in
Norway. It was once the banqueting hall of King Håkon IV,
one of the most important kings in Norway’s history, and is
now a museum and still in use for events.
FAST FACTS
• The original name for Bergen was Bjørgvin, which dates
back to when it was a Viking trading city. In Icelandic, the
city is still given this old Viking title.
• Bergen stood as Norway’s capital during the 13th Century
after its setting meant it was the perfect location for trade,
displacing Trondheim as the kingdom’s capital.
• Bergen locals have developed their own regional dialect
and it is one of the most difficult for foreigners and other
Norwegians to tap into. Often described as ‘throaty’, this
version of Norwegian differs with a guttural ‘r’ sound and
various colloquialisms.
• Today the city has a population of around 283,000, many
of whom are students who attend the various universities
dotted around the city.
EXPLORE BERGEN THE VIKING WAY
Viking offers a number
of included and optional
excursions in Bergen
Mt. Fløien Hike
Ascend 1,000 feet above
Bergen to the top of Mt.
Fløien for magnificent views.
Begin your tour with a walk
through the woodlands to
the idyllic Skomakerdiket
lake, then join the main
path. As you climb, take in
the stunning scenery of the
Fløien Hills. The fjord and
its multitude of islands are
nestled below and your eyes
can follow the coastline all
the way to the North Sea.
During clear weather, head
up the Rundemans path
through the forest. At the
path’s highest point you will
be greeted by a clearing that
offers 360-degree views of
your surroundings. Take a
break and immerse yourself
in nature as you breathe
in the fresh mountain air.
After time to relax, take the
funicular back down the
mountain to the city and
return to your ship.
X Main image: Bryggen in Bergen seen from accross the harbour
Images left to right: Viking Sea near the coast of Bergen, Norway;
Bergen, Norway; A fish merchant’s stall in an indoor market
Discover more about the Viking Homelands itinerary at viking.com
viking.com
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