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Table of Contents
Bryggen is a harbor town in the district of Bergen, located in Norway. The distinct, traditionally-built commercial buildings, full of character, color, and charm, line the harbor. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, inducted in 1979, includes the old Hanseatic wharf and the buildings surrounding it.
See the fact file below for more information on the Bryggen or alternatively, you can download our 23-page World Heritage Sites: Bryggen worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
History of Bryggen
- Bergen was established as a city that encompassed buildings along the coast of the North Sea sometime before 1070 AD, shortly after the Viking Age.
- It was sometime around 1100 that the earliest pier constructions have been dated.
- In the mid-1300s, a German Hanseatic League (a popular commercial and defensive conglomeration of merchant guilds) import and export office was built in Bergen; this dominated trade in the area for almost 400 years, and now exists as a museum, as pictured above.
- Historically, Bryggen has been riddled with fires, as the majority of the buildings in the area were made of wood.
- In 1702, the Hanseatic League’s buildings were severely damaged by fire, as were many other buildings in the area.
- Even though the great fire caused a lot of damage, many buildings, including the Hanseatic League’s buildings, but were rebuilt.
- However, all operations came to an end in 1754 when all of the Hanseatic League’s buildings were given to Norway’s citizens.
- In 1955, another large fire destroyed other parts of Bryggen, and in 1976 the Bryggen museum was built on part of the site that was cleared out by the fire.
- As of today, only about one-quarter of the traditional Bryggen buildings date back to the time after 1702. All of the other buildings in the area are younger, but some do have access to cellars that were constructed in the 15th century!
The Architecture of Bryggen
- Traditionally, all buildings and structures in Norway were usually made of wood.
- Bryggen’s structures align with the vernacular building traditions that dictated Norway’s style of architecture.
- In Bryggen you will find narrow roads with buildings facing the harbor, separated by narrow wooden passages.
- Approximately 62 buildings remain, and are a shining example of how German merchants lived and worked.
- The name “gard” is used to refer to the rows of 2 and 3-storey urban buildings that can be seen running parallel to the harbor.
- The medieval structure of the buildings has been maintained.
Historical Trade Ties
- Historically, the German Hanseatic League had a monopoly on the export of dried and salted cod from the Norwegian coast.
- They imported, as an exchange, grains and cereals, as well as salt and other luxury items with which to distribute among the coast and into other parts of Norway.
- The location of the trading posts were strategic in that they were in an easily defensible position, and in close proximity to the water.
- Boats and trade ships from other countries were able to reach Bryggen, even as far as Iceland and the Continent.
- The German Hanseatic League’s office had a major influence over the city for hundreds of years, and Germans claimed it for themselves until 1754.
Facts about Bryggen
- Bryggen can be referred to as “the dock”.
- The buildings in Bryggen include offices, houses, warehouses, assembly rooms, kitchen facilities, and stone cellars.
- Some potential risks that Bryggen faces today is increased tourism, global climate changes, the risk of fire, and the risk that more extreme weather might bring about higher sea levels.
- The Bryggen Foundation, established in 1962 with the aim of preserving Bryggen, owns the buildings along the harbor.
- “The Bryggen Project” is a long-term project that oversees the monitoring, safeguarding, and restoration of Bryggen both archaeologically and otherwise, and was created in 2000.
- The oldest and tallest building in Bryggen is St. Mary’s Church.
- There are two museums in Bryggen – the Bryggens Museum and the Hanseatic Museum. Visitors can also explore traditional houses, shops, restaurants, and pubs.
World Heritage Sites: Bryggen Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Bryggen across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use World Heritage Sites: Bryggen worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Bryggen which is a harbor town in the district of Bergen, located in Norway. The distinct, traditionally-built commercial buildings, full of character, color, and charm, line the harbor. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, inducted in 1979, includes the old Hanseatic wharf and the buildings surrounding it.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Bryggen Facts.
- Vocabulary Match-Up.
- Bryggen Crossword.
- Design a Bryggen Building.
- Fill-in-the-Blanks.
- Bryggen Wordsearch.
- Bryggen Coloring Page.
- Opinion Paragraph.
- Design a Postcard.
- Bryggen Quiz.
- Newspaper Article.
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Link will appear as Bryggen Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 12, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.