Bergen is Norway’s second largest city founded in the 11th century by King Olav Kyrre. Since all Viking architecture was wood-based, very little remains from their original establishments. The city was the birthplace of Norway’s greatest composer, Edvard Grieg. His most recognizable piece is “Morning Mood” from the Peer Gynt suite. We saw the stone castle, Bergenhus Fortress, which was built in the 1240s. The site has unearthed remains from the era of King Olav as it is a strategic location for protecting the wharf. And then also in the city we visited UNESCO Heritage Site wooden structures of the Hanseatic League merchants. The merchants became most prominent selling dried cod from the northern Norwegian coast. I found this particular delicacy rather nasty, but I guess it is an acquired taste.
Our day tour was mainly via bus to drive around the Hardangerfjord, which is one of Norway’s most spectacular fjords. Of course, Owen was most interested in the gravel in the parking lot. The untamed landscape and expanses of land seemingly untouched reminded me of the United States. We had lunch in the village of Øystese of Norheimsund that sits on the coast of the Hardangerfjord. My favorite stop was the nearby Steinsdal Waterfall with a 65 foot drop over a cliff that you can walk behind without getting wet.
No comments:
Post a Comment