Adventures in Bergen

I very much enjoyed my time in Bergen, but I actually think I scheduled too much time to be here. Here at the end of my trip, I am ready to go home. I miss G, my house, and the weather in California. These last four days seemed so long. Tomorrow, I will take a bus to the airport and begin my long journey home.

Mount Fløyen

My first activity in Bergen was to take the cable car up to the top of Mount Fløyen.  I squeezed into the cable car with a couple dozen other people, and in a few minutes, I was at the top of Mount Fløyen, 320 meters up. Bergen city center is actually surrounded by 7 mountains, but Mount Fløyen is the most popular and most visited. I enjoyed the view from the top, visited the small tourist shop just to see if it offered anything interesting, then started my journey down the mountain. On my way, I encountered a number of signs warning me to be on guard for witches.

Several minutes into my walk down the mountain, I ran out of space on the SD card in my camera. I found the nearest bench and started deleting blurry photos and pictures of the lens cap. I had sat down next to one of these witch signs. While I was sitting, not one, but two mothers pointed out the sign to their toddlers and explained to them about the witches.  No, I don't actually know what these mother's said; they spoke in Norwegian. However, it really did sound like they were warning their children about the possibility of witches.

I was curious about the history of witches in Norway. Thinking that they must be a popular legend, I was a little surprised to find out that Norway doesn't seem to have much of a connection to witches. Aside from a trial in the mid-1600s, witches do not often show up in Norwegian history.

The witch trials at Vardø in Finnmark, northern Norway, during the winter of 1662 - 1663, was one of the largest in Scandinavia. Thirty people were put on trial, accused of sorcery and of making pacts with the Devil. Eighteen were burned alive at the stake, two were tortured to death and one was sentenced to the workhouse. Much of the evidence came from accused children, and there was a complicated trail of accusations and implications. It marked the peak of the Norwegian witch-hunt which had intensified in northern Norway since Vardø’s first great witch trial in 1621. - Witchcraft

Trolls, however, show up over and over again. In Norse mythology, trolls are actually fearsome creatures. They are not at all happy or friendly.  Strangely enough, small trolls that you buy in shops are believed to bring good luck to people that possess them. Apparently, the be effective, a troll needs a name. Additionally, he needs time, a couple of days, to work his magic. Finally, he needs to be placed in a place where he won't be disturbed. If the troll's needs are met, he should bring you good luck.

Bryggen

During my time in Bergen, I also visited Bryggen (Norwegian for the wharf), commercial buildings lining the fjord. The oldest part of Bergen, Bryggen was founded in 1070. Over time, Bergen gained importance as a trading center. The wharfs were gradually improved, and the Bryggen buildings were taken over by merchants. Today, these buildings are a designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and are used as tourist shops and restaurants.  Because the buildings are wooden, Bryggen has suffered from its fair share of fires over the centuries. Although some stone cellars were constructed in the 1400s, only a quarter of the buildings date to 1700. The remainder are newer. 

City Center

Bergen city center is enjoyable to walk around. I spent some of my time in the city walking. I visited the fish market, a couple of churches, a pond, and other sights.  I haven't mentioned it yet, but Bergen is a rather attractive city. It's even more attractive and enjoyable when it isn't raining. I was lucky; it only sprinkled once.  Bergen was a great place in which to end my 6 1/2 weeks of traveling.