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Discover Bergen’s hidden treasures!
Discover Bergen’s hidden treasures!
What is more natural when visiting the Norwegian Fisheries Museum than to explore the Bergen seaside by boat?
From the Fish Market you can join the Hop On - Hop Off boat and discover cultural highlights along the city fjord before reaching the hidden treasures of The Norwegian Fisheries Museum and Bergen Coastal Heritage Center. 18th century wharfside warehouses with log timber walls hides an exciting and dynamic museum, with high-tech exhibitions and activities for both children and adults.
"Venice of the North"
Photo by Silje Robinson
The warehouses are built out into the sea on wooden foundations, and the original canals between them have been recreated. All the warehouses in the historical Sandviken neighborhood were like this in the 19th century, when the area was referred to as the “Venice of the North”.
We knew nada about the Norwegian fishing history; this museum is housed in a 300 year old fish ("Fisk") warehouse and you can still SMELL the fish in the wood. The interactive-learning experiences were first class and far better than we've experienced in bigger, (so called) more prestigious museums. Don't miss it!
Customer review from Tripadvisor
DIVE INTO REAL FISH TALES
Dive deep into the fascinating history of the Norwegian coast and its fisheries, which have shaped modern Norway. How did fishermen live in the past, and how do they live now?
The museum offers exhibitions based on the museum’s rich collections of fishing boat models, engines and equipment, display of old building techniques, herring processing and the stock fish trade. Last but not least: how fish farming has developed from its humble beginning in the 1970s into Norway’s second largest export industry. The children can play the fish farming game or create a new sea creature.
A WALK THROUGH TIME
Simply walking through the museum is an experience. There are a multitude of rooms, galleries and staircases, with log timber walls and sloping floors. The smell of sea, salt and stock fish is lingering in the two original merchant’s offices where some of the best preserved warehouse wall paintings in Bergen are displayed.
HEAD OUT FOR KAYAKS, ROWING BOATS AND ACTIVITIES
The museum enjoys a beautiful waterside location by the city fjord, and in the sheltered harbour there is always lots of things going on. Here the Bergeners gather to talk about their veteran boats and get help to fix and maintain the important piece of marine history that they possess. Maybe you would like to rent a traditional rowing boat for the whole family or let the children paddle a kayak in the canals around the museum? You can try your fishing rod or go for a swim.
Enjoy your waterfront-lunch at Bod 24
Photo by Tove Lise Mossestad
THE UNFORGETTABLE LUNCH EXPERIENCE
There is a lovely waterfront restaurant in the museum, Bod 24, which really has that welcoming home feeling to it. Inhale the relaxing atmosphere and sit inside with view to the harbour, or outside at the terrace smelling the sea and feeling the sun. All while enjoying a great meal made with local ingredients and lots of love. ▗
For more information visit www.museumvest.no
