St Mary’s Church, Bergen

St Mary's Church, Bergen tickets: which one to buy

Saint Mary's Church stands at the northern end of Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf in Bergen, Norway, and it is the oldest surviving building in the city. The church has been closed for a long restoration in recent years, so check whether it has reopened before planning a visit; when open, a small admission is charged in summer. Bryggen, with its colourful wooden warehouses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walking tours of Bergen include the church along with Bryggen, the Hanseatic Museum, the fish market, the Bergenhus Fortress and Haakon's Hall.

The Floibanen funicular, which takes visitors up Mount Floyen for views over the city, starts nearby. Bergen is the gateway to the western fjords, and many visitors combine the city with a fjord cruise. It rains often in Bergen, so bring waterproof clothing. The church is on the main road along the harbour and is easy to find on foot from the fish market.

Visiting St Mary's Church, Bergen: what to see

The church was built in the twelfth century, around 1130 to 1180, in the Romanesque style, with twin towers on the west facade, and it is among the oldest stone buildings in Norway. From the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries it was used by the German merchants of the Hanseatic League, who controlled trade at Bryggen, and it was known as the German Church; services were held in German until 1874. The Hanseatic merchants furnished the church richly. Inside, the church has a carved and gilded altarpiece from the fifteenth century, made in Lubeck, and a magnificent baroque pulpit, donated in 1676, decorated with carvings, tortoiseshell and figures representing the virtues.

The walls hold paintings and memorials of German merchants. The church's architecture shows influences from England and northern Germany. The church's walls are made of soapstone and sandstone, with Romanesque carvings around the portals. The pulpit's carvings include the figures of Faith, Hope and Charity, and panels with biblical scenes. The altarpiece shows the Virgin and saints, carved and painted in Lubeck. Memorial paintings of German merchants and pastors hang on the walls. The towers' spires were rebuilt after fires. The church's interior is small and intimate compared with its twin towers. Excavations nearby have revealed traces of medieval Bergen.

St Mary's Church, Bergen opening hours and the best time to go

When open, the church keeps longer hours in summer and limited hours in winter. Bergen has a mild but very rainy climate, and rain can fall on most days of the year; summer brings the longest days and the most visitors, especially cruise passengers. The Bergen International Festival in May and June brings music and theatre events. The Christmas season features a large gingerbread town. Bryggen is busiest in the middle of the day. Allow about twenty minutes for the church when open, and combine it with the Hanseatic Museum and a ride on the Floibanen funicular. The Bryggens Museum, near the church, displays archaeological finds from the medieval wharf, including runic inscriptions.