Mariakirken (St. Mary's Church) is the oldest surviving building in Bergen. Construction started in the 1130s and was finished around 1180. It is a Romanesque church built in soapstone, with two towers and three naves.
In its time, Bergen had twelve churches and three monasteries. Mariakirken is the only one still standing. It survived devastating city fires in 1198 and 1248, both of which caused serious damage and led to major reconstructions. After the 1248 fire, the towers were heightened and the chancel was lengthened.
In 1408 the German merchants of the Hanseatic League took over the church, and it became known as Tyskekirken, the German church. For centuries the sermons were held in German. The church sits right next to Bryggen, which makes sense: the merchants wanted their church close to where they lived and worked.
The interior has a richly decorated pulpit from 1676 and medieval stone walls that feel noticeably different from the wooden architecture that dominates the rest of old Bergen. It is a quiet contrast to the tourist bustle of Bryggen just outside.
In its time, Bergen had twelve churches and three monasteries. Mariakirken is the only one still standing. It survived devastating city fires in 1198 and 1248, both of which caused serious damage and led to major reconstructions. After the 1248 fire, the towers were heightened and the chancel was lengthened.
In 1408 the German merchants of the Hanseatic League took over the church, and it became known as Tyskekirken, the German church. For centuries the sermons were held in German. The church sits right next to Bryggen, which makes sense: the merchants wanted their church close to where they lived and worked.
The interior has a richly decorated pulpit from 1676 and medieval stone walls that feel noticeably different from the wooden architecture that dominates the rest of old Bergen. It is a quiet contrast to the tourist bustle of Bryggen just outside.