Vågsbunnen District

You’re now in the heart of Vågsbunnen, one of the four districts that made up medieval Bergen. Each of these districts had twelve representatives who served on the city council. Back then, this area was home to cobblers and Dutch merchants who ran small shops here. Try to picture the space around you as a muddy swamp. This triangular part of town was originally a shallow extension of Vågen Bay, Bergen’s main harbour. The shallow inlet gradually turned into marshland, which was eventually filled in with construction rubble and waste from the tanners, who used tree bark to treat animal hides. Before that, boats could sail up to the cathedral and dock alongside it. As you can see from the elegant buildings and luxury hotels around the square today, times have certainly changed. The bronze statue in the centre depicts Ludvig Holberg, born in Bergen in 1684. He was the first major modern writer of the Nordic world. Inspired by Molière, he wrote 27 satirical comedies in just six years. His plays are filled with lively dialogue, sharp wit, and characters that reflect the spirit of his time. If you’re curious about Norwegian literature, his work is a great place to start. That said, you might already know another famous Norwegian author, without even realising it. If you grew up with the adventures of Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the BFG, or The Witches, you might be surprised to know that their author, Roald Dahl, was Norwegian! Although he was born in Wales, both his parents were Norwegian. He spent many childhood summers exploring Norway’s fjords and his homeland’s extraordinary landscapes, though he never lived there permanently.