Bryggen in Bergen

Bryggen in Bergen was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979. Harald Hårfagres royal farm, Alrekstad, and the farm of Bjørgvin had their boat houses at Vågen before Olav Kyrre gave Bergen city status ca 1070 AD. The tradition of long narrow buildings that face the sea, separated by passages, comes from the city’s earliest history.

For more than 500 years the Hansa trading system was followed in Bryggen. It was first challenged by the growth of new cities, the introduction of the steam ship and a growing fishing industry. The remnants of the Hansa period’s city structure inspired both by European and Norwegian building traditions are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Bryggen in Bergen at State of the Environment »
Bryggen in Bergen at UNESCO »

First traders

The first German traders came to Bryggen in the 1230’s. After many years with restrictions, the Germans were granted special privileges in 1278 which gave them permission to spend the winter in Bergen, salvage rights, and permission to buy property. The export of dried fish and import of grains were the most important trade goods.

Construction

The urban constructions at Bryggen consisted of one, or most often two narrow series of houses, forming double buildings. These were divided in several rooms with a common entrance. These were combined living quarters, offices and warehouses in two or three floors.

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