BERGEN

Bergen is the second biggest city after the capital city of Norway, Oslo. Bergen is a city and municipality on the Bergen Peninsula in Hordaland county on the west coast of Norway. The city was established before 1070 AD.

Bergen is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping, offshore petroleum industry and subsea technology, and a national centre for higher education, tourism and finance. Natives speak a distinctive dialect of Norwegian known as Bergensk. The city has an airport, a light rail system the busiest port in Norway and is the terminus of the Bergen Line.

The city centre and northern neighbourhoods are located on the shoreline of Byfjorden fjord. Bergen is known as the city of the Seven Mountains.

1.       HISTORY

The city of Bergen was founded in 1070 AD by Olav Kyrre, king of Norway. He was the son of King Harald Hardrada who died in the famous battle of Stamford Bridge, Great Britain, in 1066. Olav Kyrre was 10th in line of Norwegian kings, and his reign was at a very peaceful time. His nickname Kyrre indeed means peaceful. Population growth, a flourishing trade and increasing papal interest in Norway contributed to the founding of the city.

Bergen, originally called Bjorgvin, started as a small settlement at the east and south shores of Vaagen, a small inlet from the Byfjord (City fjord). Later it spread to the west shore and to areas further south. Bergen is the geographical centre of western Norway. It has an excellent ice-free harbour sheltered from the North Sea by a chain of islands. It is surrounded by mountains and is called ‘The city between the seven mountains’.

The thirteenth century was an important period in the history of Bergen. King Haakon Haakonsson made Bergen the capital of Norway and its dependencies Iceland, Greenland and many of the Scottish islands, in 1217. It replaced Trondheim, the first capital, and was itself replaced by Oslo in 1299. King Haakons son, Magnus the lawmaker, modernized the laws of the country. Civil wars ravaged the city, but it was fortified and castles, monasteries and churches were built. Towards the end of that century Bergen became the city of the northernmost bureau of the Hanseatic League. Bergen was from the beginning an important trade centre and central harbour for western Norway. The Black Death plague in 1349 came to Norway from a foreign ship in the harbour of Bergen. It wiped out one third of Norway’s population and was a severe setback also to Bergen.

2.  FACILITY

Bergen is a beautiful city with many places to go. This city has many destinations to vist and many activities to do. This city has many hotels, B&B and Inns for tourists.  Many hotels are the popular mid-range hotel, with wifi, perfect location or with prefect view of Bergen. Clarion Collection Havnekontoret, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen, Clarion Hotel Admiral are some popular mid-range hotel with good faicilitis in Bergen.

Tourists can do activites like light hiking at Mount Floyen and the Funicular on Floibanen, or take a Vidden trail from Mt. Ulriken to Mt. Floyen. Segway Tour can be a good idea for tourists to stroll around the city without feeling tired by walking.

The tourists csn take the train from Bergen to Flåm.at  Flåm Railway.

The Bergen Fish Market with it’s abundance of fish, flowers, fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs. A very popular object for photographers. Want to taste raw oysters? You’ll get the chance at the Fish Market in Bergen. Another very popular thing is to buy freshly boiled shrimps and eat by the waterfront next to the stands at the Fish Market or at Bryggen (next to the Fish Market).

That is a little information about Bergen. This city is very colorful, like a puzzle with their own beauty. The weather in the spring-summer time is very warm with the sun shines bright and the clear blue sky. That’s one of reason why I choosed this city.