Bergen was an international port.. Danish and Norwegian crusaders who visited, wrote this in 1191. Stockfish has been stored in the wharfed warehouses at Bryggen for many centuries. The Hanseatic merchants (1360 - 1761) built up a trading network, that was later taken over by Dot Norske Kontor (the Norwegian office)
Bergen was one of the most important export ports in the Nordic countries. Goods from Northern Norway and the coast of Western Norway were transported to Bergen and shipped to countries in Western Europe on to Lubeck. On their return voyage to Bergen, the ships carried grain from the Baltic region. In the 14th century stockfish from Northern Norway mainly from the Loftin islands, accounted to 80% of Norway's total exports, 3,000 tonnes every year.
This was an elite guild group. At the top of the hierarchy was the German Hanseatic League. They would take on Norwegian apprentices who would work hard for years to climb their way up the ladder. Eventually as times changed back in Germany the power of the Hanseatic League diminished and the Norwegians took over.
Fish was brought by the locals to ships that plied the Western Coast of Norway, taking it down to Bergen. Specific times were set for them to be unloaded, weighed and stored until it went out to the larger ships leaving Bergen for the Baltic. It was a highly honed, timed and meticulously recorded trade. Ships coming and going in and out of Bergen harbour.
At one time there were up to 2,000 Germans living in Bergen, with their own walled city area, even building their own church influenced by German architecture.
Apprentice bunks.
Love these old fashioned screens.
The dining rooms and kitchens below were a good distance from the warehouses as they were very afraid of fire.
Apprentice dining room.
German merchants dining room, with strict seating order.
Hard work in the kitchens.
Christine
Bergen was one of the most important export ports in the Nordic countries. Goods from Northern Norway and the coast of Western Norway were transported to Bergen and shipped to countries in Western Europe on to Lubeck. On their return voyage to Bergen, the ships carried grain from the Baltic region. In the 14th century stockfish from Northern Norway mainly from the Loftin islands, accounted to 80% of Norway's total exports, 3,000 tonnes every year.
This was an elite guild group. At the top of the hierarchy was the German Hanseatic League. They would take on Norwegian apprentices who would work hard for years to climb their way up the ladder. Eventually as times changed back in Germany the power of the Hanseatic League diminished and the Norwegians took over.
Fish was brought by the locals to ships that plied the Western Coast of Norway, taking it down to Bergen. Specific times were set for them to be unloaded, weighed and stored until it went out to the larger ships leaving Bergen for the Baltic. It was a highly honed, timed and meticulously recorded trade. Ships coming and going in and out of Bergen harbour.
At one time there were up to 2,000 Germans living in Bergen, with their own walled city area, even building their own church influenced by German architecture.
Apprentice bunks.
Love these old fashioned screens.
The dining rooms and kitchens below were a good distance from the warehouses as they were very afraid of fire.
Apprentice dining room.
German merchants dining room, with strict seating order.
Hard work in the kitchens.
Christine
That was fascinating and we learned so much but never found out what those kettle things were.
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