Bergen: Hanseatic and wooden city. How to "read" Bryggen and the Old Bergen Museum

Bergen is a city that has burned down many times and risen again each time, preserving the wooden character of its streets. On the Bryggen waterfront, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll discover the fascinating world of Hanseatic merchants, learning how they lived and held meetings. You'll also discover the ingenious reason why the kitchen was moved to separate rooms called Schøtstuene, and the incredible archaeologists' discoveries under the houses after the fire of 1955. Prepare to be transported back to 19th-century Bergen as you step into the Old Bergen Museum! Imagine stepping into a world filled with dozens of wooden houses, vibrant scenes of city life, and conversations happening right on your doorstep. Below, we've compiled some fascinating answers to the most frequently asked questions, including where to see the Hanseatic League, how to "read" wooden architecture, and how fires shaped the city's appearance.

What is Bryggen, and why is it on the UNESCO list?

Bryggen is a medieval Hanseatic waterfront in Bergen. It is made up of rows of wooden warehouses that are very close together and stretch out perpendicular to the water. It reminds us of the city's important role in the Hanseatic trading network, which was active from the 14th to the 16th centuries. UNESCO says that even though there have been lots of fires, the area has always been rebuilt according to the original plan and using traditional methods. This has kept the old wooden town's structure (and now there are about 62 buildings left).

Where can I visit the Hanseatic Museum now? Is the main building on the Bryggen open?

The main museum building at Finnegården 1a is being restored (from October 2018 to early 2027). You can learn about the history of the Hanseatic League in Schøtstuene and on Bryggen itself. There are exhibitions, audio installations, guided tours and information about the restoration work. So the Hanseatic League has not disappeared – it has simply moved to the street.

What are Schøtstuene and why are they separate from the warehouses?

Schøtstuene were the "winter halls" of the Hanseatic League. This is where they gathered, ate hot meals, held meetings and courts. Open fires were banned on Bryggen because there was a risk of fire, so the kitchens and dining rooms were moved to separate buildings near St. Mary's Church. Today, Schøtstuene has new exhibitions, paintings of vineyards and medieval ruins under a glass floor.

Where can you learn more about Bryggen's history?

After the fire of 1955, archaeologists dug at Bryggens Museum for 13 years. They found cultural layers dating back to the 12th century. These included wood, leather and everyday objects. You can also see the famous Bryggen runic inscriptions here. These are a rare example of everyday writing in a medieval city. It's a great bridge between the perfect waterfront and the real life of its inhabitants.

How did fires change the area around Bergen and Bryggen?

There are three things to remember. 1702 — the "great fire", after which Bryggen was rebuilt on its old foundations and according to the old plan. In 1916, a big fire destroyed hundreds of buildings in the city centre. This left thousands of people with no home to live in. In 1955, there was another fire. This fire destroyed part of Bryggen. Because of this, there were major excavations. This led to strict fire safety rules and a special "memory of planning".

Why does Bergen's wooden architecture look the way it does?

UNESCO and the city guide say that Bryggen is made up of long, narrow buildings facing the harbour, with narrow wooden "spans" or passageways between the rows. These neighbourhoods are not just for looking at, but for living in, with workshops, galleries and shops. The old pattern of regeneration after the fires of the 19th and 20th centuries has meant that the street layout is almost the same as it was centuries ago.

What is the Old Bergen Museum and what is it different from Brigen?

It is an open-air museum in Sandvika, where old wooden houses from the centre of Bergen were brought to protect them from being knocked down. Today, there are about 55 houses (mostly from 1720–1900), street scenes and "living" interiors: an 1826 official's house and an 1886 merchant's house. It's a way to experience everyday life in the 19th century, before the renovations and new neighbourhoods.

Do you know if Bergen was really the largest wooden city in Europe?

Yes, this is a well-known local definition: in the 19th century, Bergen was considered the largest wooden city in Europe. This is why the Old Bergen Museum was created — as a "refuge" for the city's wooden buildings, which were disappearing after fires and modernisation. The museum's different themes and formats "glue together" the picture of a wooden city: narrow streets, signs, benches, house plans and courtyards.

How does Old Bergen "talk" to Bryggen?

Briggen focuses on the commercial side of the city and the way the Hanseatic League organised space. Old Bergen looks at the everyday life and social history of 19th-century Bergen residents. The houses were moved here between 1945 and 1981, so they are not just for show. These are real city buildings in a new place. Compare the old streets of Old Bergen with the new ones to see the rules of city life that apply to both.

Where can you "read" the Hanseatic League through a church?

Look at St. Mary's Church (Mariakirken) next to Schøtstuene. It is the oldest building in Bergen and the main church of the Hanseatic merchants. The 17th-century pulpit that they donated, the German history of the parish and its proximity to Bryggen make the church an important reference point for the museum. The trading network was also a community with its own customs, language and benefactors.

Where can you carry on the "sea and crafts" theme in Bergen?

The Norwegian Fisheries Museum (Museum Vest) is in the old warehouses on Sandviken waterfront. Exhibitions on coastal culture, fishing and the export of stockfish go well with Bryggen. After all, trade is not only about merchants, but also networks, ships and warehouses. The museum is within walking distance of Bryggen and gives you a good overall view of Bergen's maritime history.

How can you make a "half-day of history" without rushing?

Go from the business district to the townspeople. Start your morning at Schøtstuene and take a walk through Bryggen, stopping at the Bryggens Museum (archaeology after 1955). Next, visit the Old Bergen Museum, which is a wooden town with scenes from 1826 and 1886, as well as courtyards and signs. Finally, look back: how much of the old wooden street layout remains in Bergen today? The answer is more than you might think.

Bergen is an absolute dream! Its colourful facades of Bryggen are absolutely stunning, but the city's resilience is what really makes it special. It has burned down many times, but each time it has just been rebuilt, as if the streets were based on a blueprint. The Hanseatic Museum & Schøtstuene, Bryggens Museum and Old Bergen Museum join forces to bring you an incredible journey through the rich history of trade, the wooden plasticity of the city, and the meticulous preservation of the past. Come and explore the amazing city of Bergen, layer by incredible layer! From the bustling warehouses to the cosy kitchens, from the ancient rune stones to the friendly conversations on doorsteps, there's so much to discover.

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