One of the most popular sights in Bergen is the ancient wharf called Bryggen ("the Harbor").  It is a row of traditional Hanseatic wooden buildings with pointed gables, facing the harbor, along with a maze of wooden buildings directly behind.  The buildings date from 1100 but they were rebuilt following a fire in 1702.  Due to other fires and urban renewal in our own time, only a quarter of the original area survives. 

King Olav of Norway is credited with founding the City of Bergen in 1070.  It became the capitol of Norway during the 13th century and was the largest city for the next 600 years.  It was a vital hub in the Hanseatic League (a chain of European and Baltic cities with shared trading agreements) because of its harbor setting and commercial importance.  This famous harbor front with its wooden buildings was the scene of thriving activities up to the 18th century.

Today, Bryggen is a living illustration of the city's history, with 61 protected wooden buildings that have been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1979.  They are listed as one of the world's "most significant examples of the history and culture of a medieval settlement."  In these buildings, today's visitors will find a fascinating honeycomb of active workshops, where painters, weavers, and craftsmen produce fine quality items.