Norway has fairytale-like colorful wooden houses The reflections by the harbor at night are even more beautiful

▲Evening at the Bryggen Wharf houses.

Reporter Huang Shiyuan / Reported and photographed from Norway

Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city. It flourished in the 12th century due to the trade of dried cod, and its most famous and iconic tourist attraction is Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This row of colorful wooden houses by the harbor looks like something out of a fairy tale, and it becomes even more beautiful under the evening lights.

Bryggen (meaning "the wharf"), also known as Tyskebryggen ("the German Wharf"), was a commercial complex built by the German Hanseatic League merchants in Bergen between 1356 and 1400. It primarily served as offices and warehouses, mainly storing dried cod, fish oil, furs, and other goods. However, local guide Maggie mentioned that Bryggen experienced a total of seven major fires after 1400 (mainly because the warehouses were built of wood), and each time it was completely burned down and then rebuilt. The last reconstruction took place in 1702.


▲Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


▲Bryggen consists entirely of wooden houses.


▲I thought these were all used as warehouses.


▲%枷衷诓悸栏?锿酚惺止ひ盏辍⒗衿返辍＜br />


Maggie said that most have now been converted into craft shops, gift shops, restaurants, bars, and museums, and it is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, Maggie also noted that some fires still occurred after 1702, along with damage during World War II, which affected Bryggen’s wooden structures. Later, the buildings were restored using the original construction methods and the same type of wood.

Near Bryggen, there is also a cable car that takes you to the mountaintop to enjoy views of the city and the harbor — the night scenery is especially stunning. On the opposite side of Bryggen, at the other end of the harbor, there is a fish market with plenty of seafood, but it now mainly caters to tourists, so prices are not cheap.


▲Some of the warehouses have been converted into restaurants, including one that was originally a stable.
 

▲Many buildings still show signs of their historical past.