Bergen city

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Known for the Hanseatic wharf, the fish market and the surrounding fjords Bergen offers the ideal combination of nature, culture and pulsating city life

Bergen is an old Hanseatic trading center with a rich culture and dramatic scenery, Norway's second largest city. Wonderfully cute wooden buildings, a magnificent mountain setting and tons of nightlife and atmosphere make Bergen the most enjoyable city in Norway. This is your gateway to the western fjords. The city has been dubbed "the rainiest city in Europe" with an average of 250 days of rainfall a year. Situated where sea and mountains meet, Bergen is a city with a big heart and endless enthusiasm and visitors are greeted with open arms.
Bergen is an international town with small-town charm and atmosphere. Small wooden houses lie higgledy-piggledy and a love of flowers spills over everything. An open air fish market is located along the inner harbor of Vågen. Further south is the main shopping area, rebuilt after a fire in 1916 in art nouveau and functionalist style, around the main square Torgallmenningen. Several old quarters of white, wooden houses are scattered in and around the centre, most notably in Nordnes, Marken and Sandviken.
Our fourth World Heritage attraction faces Bergen’s harbor: Bryggen. The oldest buildings date from 1702, rebuilt after one of many fires – but the building tradition probably stretches 900 years back in time. The buildings that form Bryggen were done in the style of the medieval buildings that stood on the site prior to the fire. Saint Mary's Church is the oldest building in Bergen, parts of it dating from around 1130. The altar piece of the church is the oldest ornament preserved.
You can explore the many layers of history at the Hanseatic Museum and Bryggen Museum. Norway’s biggest cultural event, the Bergen International Festival, is held in Bergen each year. Bergen Aquarium, housing fish, marine invertebrates, seals and penguins, as well as reptiles and monkeys, is located at the tip of the Nordnes peninsula.
The fjords around Bergen are many and varied. It is the gateway to the fjords.

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