Bergen Cathedral, Bergen
Since 12th century, Bergen Cathedral has been through the fire. Through the fire several times in fact, more than most, in a city famous for devastating fires. And to top it all off it has been hit by a cannon ball, which sticks in the wall to this day. Fires and wars, but there is peace and beauty inside.
Bergen Cathedral is episcopal seat of home parish of the Church of Norway. Word of the church appears for the first time in 1181. To this day it remains dedicated to Saint Olaf.
In 1181, Jon Kutiza, a peasant rebel and his men chased a number of King Sverre's men into the cathedral (then known as Olavskirken). Under the reign of King Haakon IV, Franciscans built a friary connecting to the church. The church had a long design in a Romanesque style. It burned down in 1248.
A new stone church was erected and that caught fire in 1270. The church wasn't fully reconstructed until 1537, when it was designated the new cathedral of the Protestant persuasion. In 1702 there was another fire and another reconstruction. By the 1880s the Cathedral's interior was restored to its original Rococo appearance.
In the second English-Dutch war, in the sea battle of Vagen in 1665, the cathedral sustained a hit from a cannon shot gone wild. The ball sits today, ensconced in the front wall.
The cathedral today is used mainly for musical events.
Bergen Cathedral is episcopal seat of home parish of the Church of Norway. Word of the church appears for the first time in 1181. To this day it remains dedicated to Saint Olaf.
In 1181, Jon Kutiza, a peasant rebel and his men chased a number of King Sverre's men into the cathedral (then known as Olavskirken). Under the reign of King Haakon IV, Franciscans built a friary connecting to the church. The church had a long design in a Romanesque style. It burned down in 1248.
A new stone church was erected and that caught fire in 1270. The church wasn't fully reconstructed until 1537, when it was designated the new cathedral of the Protestant persuasion. In 1702 there was another fire and another reconstruction. By the 1880s the Cathedral's interior was restored to its original Rococo appearance.
In the second English-Dutch war, in the sea battle of Vagen in 1665, the cathedral sustained a hit from a cannon shot gone wild. The ball sits today, ensconced in the front wall.
The cathedral today is used mainly for musical events.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bergen. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Bergen Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: Bergen Cathedral
Sight Location: Bergen, Norway (See walking tours in Bergen)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bergen, Norway (See walking tours in Bergen)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bergen, Norway
Create Your Own Walk in Bergen
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bergen is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bergen Introduction Walking Tour
It is a wonder Bergen has had so many fires in its history, considering it has averaged 200 days a year of rain. So, why the fires?
Flames leapt across the narrow streets. The compact wooden buildings were easy prey. In 1702 90% of the city was destroyed. Disasters continued through the years. Finally, in 1916, a new idea in prevention emerged. The way to stop a fire was to starve it.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Flames leapt across the narrow streets. The compact wooden buildings were easy prey. In 1702 90% of the city was destroyed. Disasters continued through the years. Finally, in 1916, a new idea in prevention emerged. The way to stop a fire was to starve it.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Bergen Shopping Tour
For centuries, since its establishment in the 1020s, Bergen has been an important commercial hub. As such, it is probably one of the oldest shopping destinations in Northern Europe. Today, Bergen features a variety of shops and markets scattered throughout the city.
One such notable location is Kjottbasaren, a historic market located near the city center. Here, visitors can explore a variety... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
One such notable location is Kjottbasaren, a historic market located near the city center. Here, visitors can explore a variety... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Bergen's Architectural Jewels
Surprising as it may appear, but the seemingly small city of Bergen for centuries had been the largest in all of the Nordic countries. It also remained so for Norway until the 1830s. Apart from being the country's former capital (back in the 13th century), Bergen is well-known primarily for its astoundingly beautiful cityscape, formed by the backdrop of mountains and serene waterfront, much... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles