St. Mary’s Church

Even if you aren't religious, you have to visit St. Mary’s Church because this is the oldest existing building in Bergen. It is the only surviving structure out of the 12 churches and three monasteries that were built in Bergen in the very beginning i.e., between 10th and 12th centuries during the supremacy of Olav Kyree. It’s a beautiful Parish Church with peaceful atmosphere. The pulpit of the church catches special attention as it is an exceptional work in Norwegian art history. It was gifted to the church in 1676 by a group of merchants whose businesses operated out of the old Hanseatic Wharf. The walls of the church were almost fully covered with paintings in 17th and 18th centuries, which were mostly dedicated to the civilians connected to the church. The church was ruined by two great fires that happened in Bergen in 1198 and 1248 and has gone through several restorations. In fact, it has recently been restored over a five-year-old period that ended in 2015; after the huge renovation that took place in the 1860s. The admission is free with Bergen card, or in other cases, you can pay 6 USD to buy an entrance ticket. Please note that photography is not allowed inside the church.