Bergen (Norway)

Bergen (Norway), city and seaport in southwestern Norway, located along inlets of the North Sea. It is the seat of Hordaland County. The second largest city of Norway (after Oslo), Bergen is a cultural, fishing, industrial, and shipping center, known for the manufacture of steel, ships, fishing equipment, processed food, forest products, and electrical machinery.

Situated in a valley near seven mountains, Bergen contains numerous historic buildings. Among the notable structures are Saint Mary's Church (12th century), the city's oldest building; Bergenhus fortress, including Håkon's Hall (1261; rebuilt since the 1940s); and several steep-roofed, wooden quayside houses dating from the early 1700s. Bryggen, the city’s historic wharf, was named a World Heritage Site in 1979. Educational institutions in the city include the University of Bergen (1948), a school of economics and business administration (1936), and a music conservatory (1905).

Originally named Björgvin, the city was founded about 1070 by King Olaf III and grew quickly as a commercial center. It was the capital of Norway during the 12th and 13th centuries. From the mid-1300s to 1560, Bergen's trade was controlled by the Hanseatic League, a commercial federation of European cities. Hanseatic merchants remained influential in the city until the late 1800s. Bergen suffered severe fires in 1702, 1855, and 1916, and the city was badly damaged during World War II, when it was occupied (1940-1945) by the Germans. Population (2005 estimate) 241,440.