Flåm to Bergen

The train ride up from the Flåm valley is quite scenic with water falls and views deep into the valley. The railway line has numerous tunnels, one includes a 180 degree turn to work up the valley. There was only one stop, a picture stop for the Kjosfassen waterfall. We changed trains at Mydahl to the state railroad. The first hour of this trip crosses the mountains through several tunnels and then we descend along a riverbank until we reach another fjord that eventually leads to Bergen. The city was founded in 1070 and became a fish trading center. The most famous buildings here are the wooden buildings of the Bryggen district. Here German merchants, member of the Hanseactic League traded fish which were shipped to Germany for European goods, especially grain. The Norwegian king did not want these foreigners here, but the black plague at decimated the population, leading to their acceptance. 

Bryggen District

We walked the harbor area viewing the medieval church of St. Mary’s, the Bryggen district, the fish market, and two of the central squares.

View from Bergen