Bergen Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Bergen

It is a wonder Bergen has had so many fires in its history, considering it has averaged 200 days a year of rain. So, why the fires?

Flames leapt across the narrow streets. The compact wooden buildings were easy prey. In 1702 90% of the city was destroyed. Disasters continued through the years. Finally, in 1916, a new idea in prevention emerged. The way to stop a fire was to starve it.

Torgallmenningen, the main square of Bergen, became a space wide enough to stall leaping flames. Narrow streets were widened and more squares created. Houses were rebuilt with stone and brick. Some hanseatic buildings in Bryggen were preserved.

Torgallmenningen is the largest and most central square. It is bound by buildings designed in the Scandinavian neoclassical style. At one end of the square is the Maritime Monument. It has statues of ancient Scandinavian seafarers, contemplating the tourists and the shops.

The Hansa in Bergen focused on trading grain for stockfish. The Hanseatic Wharf site in Bryggen is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a museum, shops, galleries, studios and restaurants.

A short walk away is the Fish Market, providing fresh fish since 1276. Seafood is the heart of Bergen cuisine.

KODE is one of the largest museums for art, design and music in Scandinavia. It is in four parts, KODE 1-4, a complex of art museums and composers' homes, joined.

Bergen is often called "the city of mountains." The most accessible peak is Floyen, 1,040 feet high. It can be reached by the Floibanen funicular, a six-minute ride.

The uniqueness of Bergen is its people. They say, "I'm not from Norway, I'm from Bergen."