A Stroll Through Bergen's Bryggen
Does Viking Santa bring gifts? Or does he pillage your home?
After a 29-hour travel day, Larry and I were more than ready to test out our bed at the aptly named Comfort Hotel in Bergen!
Neither of us stayed awake long.
In the morning, our hotel window revealed this inviting view:
A big shoutout to the Comfort Hotel for serving the best complimentary breakfast I’ve ever had at a hotel.
The spread was varied and tasty: eggs, oatmeal, pancakes, cheeses, fresh fruits, muesli, crisp vegetables, smoothies, and more—truly a feast to start the day.
Never did find out the story behind the odd painting you see above. It wasn’t even hanging; it simply leaned against a wall.
When I asked the concierge about its mysterious phrase —Do not invite the Robinson couple — he bristled and said, “I have no idea whatsoever.”
But that’s exactly what someone who’s been sworn to secrecy would say, am I right?
After checkout, the Comfort Hotel stowed our luggage in a locked room for no charge.
This was deeply appreciated since we’re packed for a 5-month trip. Hoisting two big roller bags over Bergen’s hills and cobblestones would have been a drag — literally and figuratively.
Our hotel’s locale was ideal for a meandering stroll through the historic city center. Bergen is Norway’s rainiest city — a title it has lived up to each time we’ve visited — so I took our rain gear.
As it turned out, we were indoors during the strongest downpours, so Larry never popped his umbrella and I never donned my rain poncho.
A local we chatted with told us that Bergen has burned down seven different times. As we pondered that fact, she quipped, “How is that possible in all this rain?”
During the Middle Ages, Bergen was a key player in the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading network that shaped commerce across Europe. The city was a vital hub for the stockfish trade—dried cod that made Norway rich.
Stockfish was a practical solution to the challenge of preserving a healthy protein source, since it can last for years without spoiling.
Oddly enough, Catholicism played a role in its success, as devout Catholics were forbidden from eating meat on Fridays, making stockfish an essential staple.
Bergen’s historic harbor, known as “Bryggen,” features a picturesque row of colorful wooden buildings lining the waterfront.
This iconic scene is synonymous with the city, its an image you’ll see proudly displayed on t-shirts, keychains, posters, and more all over town.
Bryggen’s buildings were faithfully rebuilt after each fire over the centuries, thereby preserving their original design. Today, the area holds the prestigious designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the height of the Hanseatic League, Bryggen served as home to a bustling colony of German bachelors who were involved in the stockfish trade.
Now, the 62 remaining buildings house charming little shops, galleries, and cafés, blending history with modern-day charm.
These days, Bergen is also known as a vibrant university town, blending its long history with youthful energy and a lively music scene.
During the heaviest downpour of the day, Larry and I found our way to the coffeeshop you see in the photo above. From there, we sipped espresso and stayed cozy while marveling at all the layers of history surrounding us in Bergen, Norway.
And so begins our winter travel adventure!
I’ll share more as our voyage continues. Meanwhile, thank you for reading.
While you’re here, you can check out my other blog posts by visiting the following links: Tui’s Travels and/or Tui’s Tombstones. Enjoy!
If you haven’t signed up yet, here’s a subscription box for you: