This morning, we returned to Bergen, Norway, the home of the Hanseatic League’s only trading enclave still in existence. We will be here for three days. When Tim and I were here in 2022, we took the panoramic excursion on our first day and a “Norway in a Nutshell” day trip on the second day. Although I explored the city on my own on the last day, I decided to take the included excursion, “Bergen on Foot,” today to explore places I might have missed. This was the description:
Explore Bergen’s historic sights during an invigorating walking excursion. Meet your guide at the pier and set off on foot to Bergenhus Fortress, one of Norway’s best-preserved fortifications. Pass the Rosenkrantz Tower and arrive at Bryygen to admire its picturesque wooden buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear interesting stories from your guide about Bergen’s colorful past as you get acquainted with this Hanseatic town. Formerly the capital of Norway, Norwegian kings once resided here. Bergen owed its wealth and prominence to the fish export trade, which has been at the heart of the town since the Middle Ages. Continue your walk to Festplassen to its music pavilion, and head toward the old financial district, pausing to see the old telegraph, the historic post office and to admire the quaint residences. Afterward, walk back to your ship.
Viking Sky was docked very close to Bergenhus Fortress, so that’s where we began our excursion. This is one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fortifications, with a long history as a royal, episcopal, and military seat of power. Construction of the fortress began in the early 1500s and was finally completed around 1700. Bergenhus was repurposed during World War II as the western headquarters of the German occupying force.
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| Bergenhus Fortress |
Bryggen wharf, the colorful row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses, is everyone’s favorite district in Bergen, and we continued our tour there, exploring the narrow wooden walkways between the buildings.
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| Bryggen Wharf |
We next explored parts of town that I had previously missed, including charming neighborhoods, the financial district, and the city’s central public square and heart of Bergen’s cultural scene.
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| Neighborhood on the Hill Above Bryggen Wharf |
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| Financial District |
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| In and Around Festplassen, the Cultural Hub of Bergen |
We walked through the city's pedestrian zone, admiring historic buildings and monuments along the way, as we walked back toward the harbor. At the harbor, we wandered through the fish market and saw other historic sites. Here, we were also rewarded with the quintessential view of Bryggen wharf.
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| Through the Pedestrian Zone to the Harbor |
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| Bryggen Wharf Across the Harbor |
Back on the ship, we began to say goodbye to our favorite crew members who will be leaving us tomorrow. I will especially miss Sardo, who helped me so much with our New Year’s Day dinner, and John Paul, the head waiter at Manfredi’s who always found a table for us, including tonight.
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| Sarah and Sardo |
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| Tim, John Paul, and Sarah |
Today marked the end of our sixth World Cruise segment, from Greenwich (London), England, to Bergen, Norway. Up next is Bergen to Reykjavik, Iceland.
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| Segment 6 - Greenwich (London) to Bergen, Norway |
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