Byparken

The square leads you into the charming Byparken, home to the iconic music pavilion dating back to 1888. This green space was created in 1865, a decade after a major fire swept through the city centre. On your right, you’ll spot a life-size bronze statue of Edvard Grieg, the 19th-century composer born in Bergen. Behind him stands a grand building that once housed the city’s telegraph office. Today, the ground floor has been transformed into a modern shopping centre. The curved abstract sculpture on your left is a tribute to Harald Sæverud, another great composer from Bergen from the 20th century. The sculpture also offers a striking view of the Kode Art Museum complex. The building you’re looking at is Kode 1, the first of four museums that make up this remarkable cultural collection. Kode 1 is dedicated to decorative arts; inside you’ll find traditional crafts, including glass, porcelain, and textiles spanning over 500 years of craftsmanship. There are also permanent exhibitions featuring a silver treasure, Old Master paintings, and a collection of Chinese art objects. The other three Kode buildings are on the opposite side of the lake.