Bryggens Museum

About the museum

Bryggen in Bergen has been a busy urban environment since the Middle Ages. In 1955 parts of Bryggen burned down, and the archaeological excavation that followed, lasting 13 years, uncovered thick layers of soil containing hundreds of thousands of objects. The excavations are regarded as the starting point for modern medieval archaeology in Northern Europe and gave a completely new insight into life in the medieval town.

After the fire there was great disagreement about Bryggen's future, and a majority of the city's population wanted to demolish the remaining timber buildings. The mood gradually turned, not least because of the new and unknown stories that were being unearthed. With the University Museum of Bergen and chief conservator Asbjørn Herteig as driving forces, Bryggens Museum was established in 1976 to communicate the new knowledge about Bergen in earlier times.

The basic exhibition “Under jorden” (“Underground”) uses thousands of objects from Bergen and Western Norway to show the craftsmen, merchants, women and children of the Middle Ages. Countless worn-out shoes, broken pottery shards, privies and fragments of clothing tell of the everyday life of ordinary people who lived in the town hundreds of years ago.

Among the museum's most distinctive features is the world's largest collection of runic inscriptions, with everything from receipts and poems to gossip and magic formulae. The museum also shows changing exhibitions and has a museum shop and café.

Highlights

• The world's largest collection of runic inscriptions
• The basic exhibition “Under jorden” (“Underground”) with finds from medieval Bergen
• Building remains from the medieval town
• Activity booklet for children with a riddle and a treasure hunt
• Monday lectures during the season

Permanent exhibitions

• Under jorden – The basic exhibition shows finds from medieval Bergen and Western Norway and tells of the everyday life of craftsmen, merchants, women and children.
• Runesamlingen – The world's largest collection of runic inscriptions, with everything from receipts and poems to gossip and magic formulae.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Stiftelsen Bymuseet i Bergen

Admission & discounts

Members of Bymuseet and holders of a volunteer card have free admission. Bergenskortet gives a 50 per cent discount. BT Fordel gives a 25 per cent discount for up to two adults (NOK 130).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is well equipped for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children can use an activity booklet with a drawing competition, a riddle and a treasure hunt in the exhibition. The museum is recommended for children and families.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about a two-minute walk from Bryggen.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum shop and café. The shop sells, among other things, mugs with inscriptions from the runic collection.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit