Day 6 of our trip to Norway. A slow day wandering around Bergen today. I was only vaguely aware of this town until recently when my sister recommended a UK TV series to me called Shetland. Turns out Bergen is like the “big smoke” for the people on these remote Scottish Islands despite being in Norway. I’m glad to say that I’ve learned a little bit more about the place today.
It’s been around at least since the Middle Ages as a major trading port and was once actually the capital city of Norway (we’re going back a bit..). It’s now the second largest city in the country and it’s obvious that it retains a strong commercial shipping industry, servicing Norway’s oil rigs in the North Sea. It’s a very busy port with everything from cruise liners to ferries to sailing boats constantly plying the harbour. There was clearly a strong German influence on the town most likely as a result of the influence of the Hanseatic League – something like a German equivalent of the East India Company which operated from a line of commercial buildings that still line the harbour in the oldest area known as Bryggen. We’re lucky enough to be staying in a hotel across from Bryggen so we’ve been able to just sit and watch the goings on from our balcony. This was the view this morning.
We started the day with a walk around the local neighbourhood. Totally pretty with its cobbled lanes and painted weatherboard houses.
We then meandered across to the main culture district and visited three of the KODE art museums. Here are some highlights.
The first was the Silver Museum (KODE 1) – which makes sense when you know that Norway/Bergen perfected the art of silversmithing. The exhibition was set up like a nest which you had to walk around – and it was reflected in ceiling mirrors. Apparently, magpies and humans are singular for their attraction to shiny things!
This was just one of several bridal crowns on display. I’ve seen a number of historical images now with young Norwegian women depicted wearing these.
We also saw some fine Norwegian painting at KODE 2 and 4:
After a quick lunch, we shopped a little. The dead animals on walls and on shop floors seem unavoidable.
This store was full of pelts of all types. The most popular were reindeer skins – small, medium and large! There were also piles of seal pelts. All the goods on display were real fur – no faux anything here. It’s a bit daunting. Especially for an Australian, but clearly an acceptable aspect of Norwegian culture. I guess we have no problem with kangaroo skin products in our stores at home.
This deer has made it into boots …they’re quite beautiful really…
The other revelation is the prevalence of wool stores and knitting in Norway. It’s not unusual to see young women sitting on a park bench knitting. Ive seen more wool stores in Norway than I’ve seen anywhere else in the world. And the colours and variety of wools is mind-boggling. Couldn’t help myself of course.!
It’s going to be interesting translating these when I get home!
Wandering around Bryggen was interesting, although it’s highly commercialised. Sydney’s Rocks area on steroids!
Trolls seem to be souvenir item du jour.. mmmm,,,
We wandered further into Bryggen and found the oldest structure in town – St Mary’s Church which is medieval. No photos allowed inside!
We also explored the fortress and old palace area.
Some more shots of Bryggen from our room in the late afternoon.
After dinner we went for a final stroll up the hill and caught some wonderful sunset views:
Finally got home and took our last shot of Bryggen from our balcony. Leaving tomorrow..
