Bryggens Museum

Overview

Bryggens Museum sits directly below the Bryggen wharf, built on top of the site where major archaeological excavations took place from 1955 to 1972. The museum displays medieval artefacts — rune sticks, shoes, tools, and jewellery — recovered during excavations that revealed Bergen was one of the largest cities in medieval Scandinavia.

Highlights

• In-situ ruins: Preserved stone foundations and wooden structures visible beneath the museum floor.
• Rune sticks: A large collection of inscribed wooden sticks offering glimpses into medieval daily life.
• Medieval Bergen model: A detailed scale reconstruction of the city as it appeared around 1350.

History

When buildings behind Bryggen were to be replaced in the 1950s, archaeologists discovered remarkably well-preserved medieval layers dating back to the 12th century. The finds pushed back knowledge of Bergen's early history and led to the construction of Bryggens Museum in 1976, designed by architect Øivind Maurseth.

Visitor Tips

• Allow at least: 45–60 minutes to appreciate the archaeological layers and multimedia displays.
• Tickets: Combined tickets are available with the Hanseatic Museum.
• Duration: 1 hour.