Bergen, Norway – 06 JUN 2016

Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway; we took a walking tour of the historic wharf district, Bryggen.

In 1979, it was declared a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Cultural Heritage Site.

It was part of the Hanseatic League's trading empire from the 14^th to the mid-16^th century. You can see the history of their manhole covers.

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Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen has an excellent ice-free harbor sheltered from the North Sea by a chain of islands and is surrounded by mountains, being called "The city between the seven mountains."

By the end of the fourteenth century, Bergen was the center of trade for all of Norway. It's major export being dried cod. Today it is know as the "Gateway to the Fjords."

Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754) was a writer, essayist, philosopher, historian and playwright born in Bergen considered to be the founder of modern Norwegian literature.

McDonald's is located in a building dated 1710, looking elegant on the outside but typical tacky plastic décor on the inside.

While Starbucks gets an interesting brick building.

This building must have an interesting history, it has the Hamburg and Bermen coat of arms with the dates: 1480, 1712 and 1912.

The 700 year old Fish Market (Torget) offers a variety of products besides fresh seafood.

This one looks like you can get sausage made from moose, dolphin, elk or reindeer.

There were 12 churches and three monasteries built in Bergen during the 12^th century; St Mary's Church is the only one remaining. 

Having been taken over by the German population in 1408, it has the familiar rooster wind vanes.

In the ninth century, Pope Nicholas decreed that a rooster would be displayed from every church steeple as a weather vane. They were to remind people of Peter's three denials of Christ before the cock crowed.

Bergenhus Fortress is one of the oldest, best preserved castles in Norway

 

To see a wide angel view of the wharf, use this link:Bryggen

If you look Carefully on my image, you can see where they are doing some construction and have hung a trap that looks like the outside of two of the buildings. 

 

 TW waves good bye, as we sailed away.

Moments later we saw a lighthouse.

Fantoft Stave Church, Bergen, Norway – 06 JUN 2016

This is a reconstructed stave church in Bergen, Norway.

The original was built around 1150 using a post and lintel construction. It was moved from Fortun (Sogn) to this location in 1883 but was burnt down by arson in 1992.

It was rebuilt exactly as it was before the fire. You can see the large load-bearing ore-pine posts (called stav) that were driven into the ground to create the strong vertical supports.

The construction is a work of art, as all columns, planks and supports are joined by dovetailing, pegs and wedges, never using glue or nails.

These early churches reflect the mix of Norse mythology with the Christianization that was taking place at that time in history.

The Viking ships had dragon heads in the bow and stern, believed to keep evil spirits away. Dragon heads on the church would serve the same purpose.

There are also bench end caps with Norse paganism carvings.

There are four Stave Churches in the United States: Chapel in the Hills, Rapid City, SD; Boynton Chapel, Bjorklunden (Door County), WI; St. Swithuns in Warren County, IN; Trinity Lutheran Church, Washington Island (Door County), WI.

Villa på Lysøen (Bergen) Norway – 06 JUN 2016

The first stop on Tinky Winky's Viking Cruise of Norway and Scotland, was villa på Lysøen, the summer home of Norway's famed violin-virtuoso Ole Bull.

Granddaughter

Bull purchased an island in 1872 and drew his own plans for the villa under the supervision of a renowned architect (Conrad Fredrik von der Lippe).

Being a world traveler, he incorporated numerous architectural styles, Swiss Chalet with Moorish and Russian influences.

The home stayed in the family until 1974 when his granddaughter donated the island to the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments.

In 1852, Bull purchased 11,144 acres in Pennsylvania and founded a colony he called New Norway.

Clock with Snake Hands

Granted museum status in 1984, it has been open to the public ever since. 

Chair Seats

Hand Carved Chair

Staircase Down to Main Living Quarters

Stuffed Bird Flying Inside the House

Fish Motif Serving Dish

Because the villa remained in the family over the years, it is uniquely filled with original antiques that belonged to Bull.

He had a custom piano built with the concept it would never need tuning. When it went out of tune, he turned it into a desk.

Billed as the most expensive desk ever made.

My niece, DeAnna, took these shots of a flower and the empty dock.