Travel Highlights

Bryggen

The Hanseatic League was a joint trade organization between the early Holy Roman Empire and continental Europe. Its most important base in Norway was Bergen. In 1360, the Hanseatic League established a commercial base in Bergen, located in the area known as Bryggen (Bryggen in Norwegian means "embankment"). For centuries, stockfish from northern Norway and grain from southern Europe were stored and traded in the wooden houses of Bryggen. The large number of German merchants operating in the area earned Bryggen the nickname "German Dock" (Tyskebryggen). Over the years, the vibrantly painted townhouses that once served as these merchants' residences have been preserved intact, becoming a popular landmark in Bergen.

Today, the Bryggen houses, over 700 years old, are no longer just places for storing catches or trading crops, but have been successfully transformed into unique bars, restaurants, cafes, and artist studios. Walking through the alleys of Bryggen, you can see the innovations of the times, while the mottled wooden walls of the old houses seem to retain the shadow of the Hanseatic League, which always makes you feel the vicissitudes of history through the rapid changes of the times. Within the intricate alleys, there are many surprising shops selling all kinds of unique souvenirs. It is highly recommended to explore the alleys for treasures, and sometimes the prices are cheaper than other places.

The first thing that strikes you when you first think of Bergen is the fairytale-like, colorful wooden houses of Bryggen. These beautifully constructed, tower-roofed houses stand neatly arranged in rows overlooking Bergen Harbor. On clear days, the houses come alive in the sunlight, making your heart leap with joy as you pass by! Visiting Bryggen's colorful wooden houses is like stepping back in time. The centuries-old buildings exude a rich tapestry of history. Visitors can stroll through the narrow wooden corridors, stop in quirky shops to admire traditional Norwegian crafts, or linger in hidden alleyways for a drink. The whiff of history is truly captivating.

The front row of the colorful wooden houses houses restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and hotels. The square in front offers ample seating, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the tranquil harbor view. The colorful wooden houses you see along the main street are only the first line of Bryggen's ocean views. In fact, the structure of the Bryggen wooden houses is that several houses are connected in a row, and each row represents a color scheme. The wooden houses of different colors are lined up in rows, and the overall scale is very large.

Wandering through the alleys, plunging into history. Entering the old town of Bryggen is like stepping back in time, plunging into history, transporting you instantly to the Middle Ages. The timber-framed buildings here are three-story houses with pitched attic roofs, clustered side by side. The harbor-facing sides are painted in vibrant colors, forming vibrant gables. From the 14th to the 16th centuries, Bryggen was a major trading center for the Hanseatic League. Numerous fires, the most recent in 1955, completely destroyed the original unique timber-framed houses. After much effort, this oldest and most traditional century-old timber-framed complex was rebuilt according to traditional methods.

Each log cabin in Bryggen is lined with corridors and staircases made of thick wooden planks, connecting each house to another, creating a complex maze-like experience. Outside, narrow, dimly lit passages and winding corners await, while inside, one or two scattered courtyards await. In the Hanseatic era, these warehouses served as storage areas, and today, they house a variety of unique art shops. Norwegian ornaments, such as prominent deer heads and unicorn sculptures, are often found above the log cabins. The passage of time and space reveals the endless vicissitudes of history.

It was quite spectacular to see the Ferrari team on the road

Bryggeloftet Restaurant

We had just finished riding the cable car and exploring Bryggen. After strolling around the harbor, we felt hungry and needed to find a place to eat. Since this is a tourist destination, restaurants abound, and the fish market stalls are packed with people. Having done our research beforehand, we decided to avoid the touristy fish market or the glamorous, overpriced restaurants. We chose AS Bryggestuen - Bryggeloftet, a restaurant very close to Bryggen. It boasts over 3,000 points on Google Maps, and it was a wise choice. The food was delicious and reasonably priced.

Bryggeloftet restaurant. When we entered, there were not many people, so we immediately sat down to eat seafood.

Because we came early and there were not many customers, when we finished eating, the place was full.

Norway Scampi lobster (Norwegian langoustine) is a must-try when visiting Norway. It is very fresh and sweet. It is a shrimp and flavor we have never tasted before.

This kind of crayfish legs are very hard, harder than crab legs, but there is almost no meat

It was so delicious that I ate all the delicious food. The plate was empty.

Fish Me, a local fishmonger's market restaurant: This is the kind of place many people visit when dining in Bergen (though we certainly didn't).

Fish Me has been selling fish at Bergen's historic fish market for over 25 years. They offer seafood from the sea and the Norwegian coast. Much of their fish and shellfish is live and always fresh, and they offer a variety of cooked shellfish and other seafood fresh from local dealers, ready for you before you wake up in the morning. They fillet their own fish, do all the prep work at the market, and do their best to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience like you'd find at home.

Fish Me Fishmarket (This is for tourists, so the prices are definitely high. Whether it tastes good or not is up to you! We won't comment!)

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