Bryggen, also called Tyskebryggen (Norwegian: [ˈtʏ̀skəˌbrʏɡːn̩], meaning "the German dock"), is a row of old buildings from the Hanseatic League that line the eastern side of the Vågen harbor in Bergen, Norway. Bryggen has been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1979.

The city of Bergen was established around 1070 within the area of Tyskebryggen. In about 1350, a branch office of the Hanseatic League was created there, making Tyskebryggen the main center for Hanseatic business activities in Norway. Today, Bryggen includes museums, stores, restaurants, and pubs.

History

Bergen was set up before 1070 AD. In the Middle Ages, the Bryggen area covered all buildings between the sea and the Stretet (Øvregaten) road, from Holmen in the north to Vågsbunnen in the south. The Sagas say the city was built in this area.

One of the earliest pier constructions dates to around 1100. The buildings that exist today are much newer, with only Schøtstuene and some buildings near Julehuset being original from 1702.

Around 1350, an office of the Hanseatic League was set up in Bryggen. As the town became an important trading center, the wharfs were improved, and the buildings of Bryggen were gradually taken over by Hanseatic merchants. The warehouses were used to store goods, especially stockfish from northern Norway and grain from Europe.

In 1702, the buildings owned by the Hanseatic League were damaged by fire. They were rebuilt, and some were later demolished or destroyed by fire again. In 1754, the office at Bryggen stopped operating when all the properties were given to Norwegian citizens.

Throughout history, Bergen has had many fires because most of its houses were made of wood. This was also true for Bryggen. Today, about a quarter of the buildings were built after 1702, when the older wharfside warehouses and administrative buildings burned down. The rest are mostly newer structures, though some stone cellars date back to the 15th century.

Parts of Bryggen were destroyed again in a fire in 1955. A thirteen-year archaeological dig followed, uncovering daily-use runic inscriptions called the Bryggen inscriptions. The Bryggen museum was built in 1976 on part of the area cleared by the fire.

Architectural heritage

Bryggen was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 under Criterion (iii). Notable buildings in the area include Bellgården (a 300-year-old structure), Svensgården, Enhjørningsgården, Bredsgården, Bugården, and Engelgården. The oldest and tallest building in the region is St. Mary's Church. Streets in the area include Jacobsfjorden. Museums located there are Bryggens Museum, Hanseatic Museum, and Schøtstuene.