In our travels we’ve come across only two or three places we could imagine ourselves living in; Bergen, on Norway’s west coast, is one of them.

It’s a relatively small city, located beside a fjord, totally charming and filled with happy Norwegians. Of course, if you’re not earning kroner, the cost of living precludes actually living here. But apart from that, what’s not to love about beautiful Bergen?

 

Surrounded by water; most of Bergen is on or close to the fjord
Surrounded by water; most of Bergen is on or close to the fjord
It's an old city, said to have been founded in 1070
It's an old city, said to have been founded in 1070
In the Middle Ages Bergen was an important trading post, exporting dried cod to Europe
In the Middle Ages Bergen was an important trading post, exporting dried cod to Europe
Seafood is still a key source of income for the city's traders; that Norwegian King Crab is $147 per kilo, or you might prefer the lobster at $155 per kilo!
Seafood is still a key source of income for the city's traders; that Norwegian King Crab is $147 per kilo, or you might prefer the lobster at $155 per kilo!
It rains a lot in Bergen, due in part to the mountains that surround the city; but those same mountains also provide protection from blasting northerly winds so the climate here is quite mild
It rains a lot in Bergen, due in part to the mountains that surround the city; but those same mountains also provide protection from blasting northerly winds so the climate here is quite mild
This is where we stayed, in the building on the left
This is where we stayed, in the building on the left
In a very typical neighbourhood
In a very typical neighbourhood
The city is known for its colourful timber and stone buildings
The city is known for its colourful timber and stone buildings
Bergen has been devastated by fire many times throughout its history, and each time the city was rebuilt
Bergen has been devastated by fire many times throughout its history, and each time the city was rebuilt
The most significant fire was in 1702 when ninety percent of Bergen was razed
The most significant fire was in 1702 when ninety percent of Bergen was razed
Including historic Bryggen, the dock area; these buildings were among those reconstructed after the 1702 blaze
Including historic Bryggen, the dock area; these buildings were among those reconstructed after the 1702 blaze
Not far away, this is St Mary's church, Bergen's oldest building (circa 1130); the church had been damaged by earlier fires but escaped in 1702
Not far away, this is St Mary's church, Bergen's oldest building (circa 1130); the church had been damaged by earlier fires but escaped in 1702
There's a vibrant cultural life in Bergen, most visible in the KODE museum
There's a vibrant cultural life in Bergen, most visible in the KODE museum
The KODE comprises four buildings, right in the heart of Bergen
The KODE comprises four buildings, right in the heart of Bergen
They're grouped together around City Park and Lille Lungegårds Lake; it's a lovely precinct
They're grouped together around City Park and Lille Lungegårds Lake; it's a lovely precinct
KODE 3 where we saw a very good Munch exhibition
KODE 3 where we saw a very good Munch exhibition
But there's plenty of art to be found on the streets of Bergen too - by design ...
But there's plenty of art to be found on the streets of Bergen too - by design ...
... and sometimes by happy coincidence
... and sometimes by happy coincidence
The local council has been a strong supporter of street art here
The local council has been a strong supporter of street art here
They want it to be part of the city's attraction - and it definitely is that
They want it to be part of the city's attraction - and it definitely is that
And this is the wonderful 'Sailor's Monument' in the city centre
And this is the wonderful 'Sailor's Monument' in the city centre
Paying tribute to seafarers through the ages
Paying tribute to seafarers through the ages
We really can imagine ourselves living in Bergen - we'd just have to go back to work to do it! :)
We really can imagine ourselves living in Bergen - we'd just have to go back to work to do it! 🙂