Note-Making 4 – Bergen

Bergen is a harbour city situated halfway up the coast of Norway. In winter, when the snow settles over its streets, the visitor is left in no doubt of its location — Bergen is situated only a few hundred

miles south of the Arctic Circle.

Originally, Bergen was established as a Viking trading post for the fishing settlements of the far north. From here, they traded wind-dried fish as far away as the coast of Africa and even to Newfoundland 500 years before Columbus set sail to discover it. Their legacy remains in Bergen - the fishing boats, the yachts and the large ferries, which still provide a route to the far north. Indeed, a visit to Bergen should include the four-hour tour of the northern fjords by ferry boat from the harbour.

The houses around the harbour are made of wood, their walls painted bright red and saffron-yellow - they stand just like tall ships moored by the waterside. Often, the houses are linked by c o v e r e d walkways or passageways, and the roofs overhang the walls in order to offer protection against the storms of spring and the icy darkness of the winter months. Light is crucial here; the seasons are clearly defined by its presence or its absence: in the winter it is virtually dark all day, but in the summer months the only darkness at night is a sort of violet twilight which lasts until morning.

Bergen houses a huge fish market and is also famous for its meat and cheese markets. People who live here are used to wearing national costume at weddings and celebrations - a lovely tradition and a beautiful reminder of Bergen's culture. Items of clothing make good souvenirs, but then so do the trolls, model reindeer and thick oiled-wool fisherman's sweaters, which are on sale everywhere.

 The latitude and setting of this city so near to the Arctic Circle make it unique. There is always something new to do - try the ocean bathing pool, perhaps, which is surrounded by a rocky promontory in the harbour, and has a diving board. For more information on what to see and do in Bergen, contact the Norwegian Tourist Board on 0906 302 2003, or look at www.visitbergen.com.

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