Bergen Cathedral, A Timeless Sanctuary of Serenity
Domkirkeplass 1
3.6
Introduction
The history of Bergen Cathedral dates back to 1181 and has maintained a strong devoutness to St. Olaf. The church can accommodate 1000 people and is one of the landmarks of the city. During the reign of Håkon IV, the St. Olaf Church and a Franciscan monastery were built nearby. The church was destroyed and rebuilt twice, and was then destroyed again in a third fire in 1463. It was not until the 1550s that the church was rebuilt, only to be struck by two more fires in 1623 and 1640. Eventually, Bergen Cathedral took on its present appearance in front of tourists, with the spire above the nave being removed and a tower being added. In the 1880s, architects Christian Christie and Peter Andreas Blix restored the interior decoration to its medieval style. The exterior walls of the church are decorated with cannonballs used in the Battle of Vågen during the Anglo-Dutch Wars in 1665.
The first organ in Bergen Cathedral was installed in 1549 and the current organ is the fifth in its history, manufactured by Rieger Orgelbau in 1997. The church is not only a center of religious devotion, but also an important venue for concerts and plays a significant role in the life of the citizens. Opening hours Late May to August, Monday to Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 10am-1pm, off-season Tuesday to Friday 11am-2pm, Saturday 11am-3pm, Sunday 10am-2pm.
Transportation Bus 1, 5, or 9.
