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The heart of Bergen is Torgallmenningen, the city's central square, which runs from Ole Bulls plass to Fisketorget on the harbor, facing Bryggen. From here, the rest of Bergen spreads up the sides of the seven mountains that surround it, with some sights concentrated near the university and others near a small lake called Lille Lungegårdsvann. Fløyen, the mountain to the east of the harbor, is the most accessible for day-trippers. Before you begin your walking tour, you can take the funicular (cable car) up to the mountaintop for a particularly fabulous overview of the city.
The cathedral’s long, turbulent history has shaped the eclectic architecture of the current structure. The Gothic-style choir and the lower towers are the oldest, dating from the 13th century. Note the cannonball lodged in the tower wall—it dates from a battle between English and Dutch ships in Bergen harbor in 1665. One of the nicest ways to enjoy the cathedral is attending one of the frequent organ concerts held here.
In continuous use since the early Middle Ages, Bergen's oldest existing building dates from around 1170. The twin-spired church's oldest treasures include the altarpiece from the end of the 15th century, the incredibly ornate pulpit, and the remaining wall paintings depicting biblical scenes.
