Fish Market, Bergen (must see)

The Fish Market has been in operation since the 1200s. It has long been a vital meeting place for fishermen, farmers, merchants, and citizens. Historically, fish were sold not only from stalls in the market but also directly from boats at the quay. Fishermen from outside Bergen would row into the city, sell their catch, and return home the same day. Besides fish and seafood, the Fish Market offers local farm products and fruit and vegetables. The restaurants, no surprise, sell a plentiful amount of seafood.

The Fish Market was not always in the same location. The original market was next to Bryggen, and is first mentioned in records from 1278. With the arrival of the Hanseatic merchants in the 14th century, Bryggen became increasingly dominated by German trade. In 1541, a proposal was made to move the market, partly to reduce Hanseatic influence over this important trading place.

Finally, in 1558, Christoffer Valkendorf moved the market to the inner part of Vågen. The market then developed into the central trading area of Bergen. In 2012, the indoor Fish Market opened. The merchants inside gained permanent shops and restaurants, allowing business to continue throughout the year. The market is now located at the inner harbor of Bergen, in the center of the city, and is easy to find.

Norway has a long, convoluted coastline stretching all the way to the Arctic, and the fishing industry has long been extremely important to the country's economy. Bergen remains one of Norway's busiest ports and is the country's largest cruise port, with a busy and colorful Fish Market at its heart. It should not be missed.