Bergen is one of the most famous, largest and most beautiful cities in Norway and is of great interest to tourists. Bergen is called "the gateway to the kingdom of the Norwegian fjords".
It is impossible to see all the sights of this city in one day. The city is home to the famous Bryggen Hanseatic promenade, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The spirit of the Middle Ages reigns on this old street. There are touching wooden buildings, corridors and staircases illuminated by dim lanterns, shops selling leather and embroidered linen, homemade toys, paintings, forged swords and helmets. There are also amazing shops in which all the shelves are lined with traditional Norwegian souvenirs and Norwegian trolls.
There is a fish market nearby, where every morning fresh fish, shrimp and other seafood that were caught in the waters of the North Sea just a couple of hours ago are brought. Not far from the embankment, a fascinating journey into the mountains of Bergen begins. The path to the mountain peaks can be traversed on foot, as well as in a trailer along the Fløibanen Funicular. On the mountain, there are many winding paths, wooden signs, stone mounds, which, according to legend, turn into trolls at dawn. From the top of Mount Fløyen there is a stunning view of the vicinity of Bergen, its colorful houses and turrets, fountains, parks and a port with snow-white ships.
Other sights of the city: Royal Residence, St. Mary's Church, Bruggen Museum, Theta Museum. In the center of the city there is the Bergen Lutheran Cathedral, which hosts not only services, but also concerts of organ music.
In the suburbs of Bergen, there is the Victorian-style Trollhaugen, which is also called the "Valley of the Trolls" - an open house-museum of the Norwegian composer Edward Grieg. There is an exhibition dedicated to the work and life of this composer, as well as cafes, souvenir shops, where tourists can buy books about the life of Edward Grieg, as well as discs with his works.
Bergen can also be deservedly proud of its Aquarium, which presents a collection of marine fauna, which is one of the most extensive and beautiful in all of Europe.
Not far from Trollhaugen, among a beech-pine grove, there is the Fantoft wooden church, decorated with fantastic animals and dragon heads.
There are two large shopping centers in Bergen, as well as many small shops. Various festivals are held in Bergen every year. The most popular of these is the International Bergen Festival. At the same time, one of the longest jazz festivals in Northern Europe, "Night Jazz", takes place. At the end of spring, Bergen hosts the Bergenfest festival, which includes blues and folk, as well as funk, country, rock, gaspel and R&B.
