Bergen was the largest wooden city in Europe in the 19th century. The steep, densely built streets, squares and alleys gave it a unique character. Bergen's steep, densely built streets, squares and alleys gave it a unique character. Bergen like many other Norwegian cities, survived many fires. Its original appearance has been reconstructed, and some dilapidated houses have been replaced with new replicas.
There is an open-air architectural and historical museum here, which preserves more than 40 wooden buildings of the 18th - 19th centuries. The Old Bergen, which was opened in 1949, is a real urban corner with a taste of the past two centuries. It's a real city centre with streets, squares, houses of people of different classes. In the museum-park you can find a confectioner's shop, grocers, a barber's shop, a dentist's office, a photo studio, as well as a jewellery shop of the time.
The museum is open to visitors all year round. It is recommended to join a tour, as the houses are only open to tour participants.
