Hidden behind the iconic Bryggen front lies a hidden world of passages, small shops, galleries and artist studios. In old storage rooms where before there were salted cod and other goods shipped to and from Norway – now local designers and artists have set up an art and design community with goods including textile design, jewelry, illustration, knitwear, photography, books – and a cosy cafe.
“We like being a secret you can discover. People are sometimes surprised that you can access and enter a hidden world through the front”, says Illustrator Gunvor Rasmussen who has her studio in Jacobsfjorden. “What you don’t see from the street, is that jewelers, artists, and textile designers dot the narrow passages between the rows of historic houses.”
The history of Bryggen dates back to about the year 1070, when it grew to be an important Nordic trade hub. The buildings you can visit is from 1702, and office to the Hansetac League. Trade is still happening, but the goods have changed from salted cod to art and designer wares.
The passages
The passages and houses at Bryggen are called Holmedalsgården, Bellgården, Jacobfjorden, Bredsgården and Bugården. If you start by Holmedalsgården at one end of Bryggen, or Bugården, the other end, you’ll enter the different designer’s work spaces surrounded by the tools of their respective trades.
Meet Susan Fosse, a knitwear collection inspired by Norwegian traditions and the nature of Western Norway
"I look forward to going to work here every day," says textile designer Susan Fosse. Her studio is tucked inside an old cod storage room in Bellgården, packed with sweaters and knitting designs inspired by the west coast of Norway, and scarves and pillows featuring her own photographs from the Norwegian landscape.
"I'm privileged, I love what I do. I love designing, using texture, colour and pattern inspired by my Norwegian heritage and the stunning Norwegian landscape. Knitting with the finest quality wool creates a structure, which becomes a fabric, which makes a garment that keeps you warm and looking spectacular."
All Susan Fosse knitwear is designed and made in Norway using 100 % Norwegian wool.
"Natural raw materials and a constant effort to produce classic garments of quality ensure environmental sustainability. Clothes should not be bought and discarded with the change of the season. They should be loved, forgotten, rediscovered, and worn for years. Pass your garment on to someone who will love it just as much. These designs are made to last," she smiles.
Address: Bellgården 2B
Open all year May to September: 09:00 - 20:00
October to April: 10:00 - 17:30
Shop the full collection at susanfosse.com. Worldwide shipping with DHL Express, delivered to your door in 1 to 3 days, with all duties and import fees included.
Instagram: @susanfosse
Meet Gunvor Rasmussen's imaginative illustrations
In Jacobsfjorden 6-7A you will find Gunvor Rasmussen, a popular illustrator and book designer from Bergen. Gunvor specialises in an expression in ink and watercolour, with themes ranging from dark and fantastical deep-sea creatures to monsters, trolls and ghosts. Her illustrations are popular among both locals and visitors.
"When I moved back to Norway after my studies, and rented a space at Bryggen, I felt very much at home. I have lived in London and Paris, but in my studio in these crooked passageways I felt that my drawing style and humour really thrived. Living on the west coast of Norway, with high mountains and deep valleys, really sets the imagination in motion - on every mountain hike creatures appear that want to be drawn." In her gallery you will find original illustrations, limited edition prints, children's books and t-shirts - and some surprising greeting cards.
"I make the cards for the other moments. For when you achieve the impossible or are at your saddest. Enthusiasm and rage. The moments where a good laugh is important."
Gunvor is one of those working to keep Bryggen and the art scene relevant for the local community.
"I want to help build the idea that Bryggen is not a museum, but a living place full of good ideas and people who love what they do."
Adress: Jacobsfjorden 6-7A
Open all year: 11:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 20:00 during summer season.
More info about Gunvor’s illustrations at gunvor.no
Instagram @gunvorr
Illustrator Nille Horgen - magical and mythical
Rooted in a passion for the magical and the mythical, the art at Hugleik lives where fairytales and mythology are reimagined with a touch of everyday magic.
Photo: Nille Horgen
Since 2009, illustrator Nille Horgen at Hugleik has been creating products that invite people into an enchanted world - whether through fine art prints, wearable stories, or smaller gifts. Hugleik also features a wide range of guest artists.
If just one image can spark a sense of wonder - imagine what a whole world of them can do.
Welcome to the universe of Hugleik - may it bring joy.
Photo: Nille Horgen
Web shop: hugleik.com
Instagram: @nillehorgen og @hugleik_bryggen
Address: Jacobsfjorden 6c
Meet Hege Johansen Hauge - inspired by Vikings and norse traditions
Hege is the designer and maker of Svala silver. From her vast knowledge of archeological finds from the Viking era she creates beautiful modern silver pieces for sale in her studio in Jacobsfjorden.
“I’m inspired by old Norse traditions. Strong women before me have crafted and worn textiles and jewelry, where some have been preserved in grave mounds. There are several ship graves we used to think belonged to kings or earls, but Osebergskipet in Oslo belonged to a woman. Knowledgeable and highly respected women were laid to rest in ship graves, and the rediscovery of these graves make us have to re-write our ideas about the Viking community.”
Her bright studio and shop is a contrast to the old timber columns supporting the floors overhead. She also stocks her dresses and coats, made from patterns she has recreated from the Skjolderhamn find and other historical finds.
“Researching the fabrics and patterns is a passion of mine, I love seeing these beautiful garments come back to life. The fabrics I use are vowen at Helgeseter, a workplace for mentally disabled, where they spin wool from their own sheep, and weave fabrics which I buy by the metre. I cut and sew each dress by hand.”
All of Hege’s silver designs are one-off pieces.
«There are quite a few married couples from Bergen wearing rings I’ve designed. Many of them from the metal scene.”
More info about Hege and pictures of her design pieces at svala.no
Istagram: @svala.design
Meet David Matej Goljat, the artist behind DMG Gallery and David’s Art Shop
David Matej Goljat is a visual artist working in drawing, printmaking, painting, and mixed media. Line plays a central role in his work, often in connection with movement, human relationships, and themes of belonging, borders, hope, and vulnerability. In his galleries, you will also discover details from nature, the city, everyday life, and the pulse of the city.
In the attic of one of Bryggen’s historic buildings, David also has his beautiful and magical studio, where new works are created and ideas are developed before later being presented in DMG Gallery and David’s Art Shop, both also located within the Bryggen area.
In the gallery and Art Shop, visitors can step into a personal and distinctive artistic world of original works, graphic art, prints, and selected products that grow out of his own visual language.
Read more at:
www.dmgsign.com
Instagram:
@davidmatejgoljat
@art.shop.bryggen
Meet Sigmund at Bergen Steinsenter - there is no such thing as just a stone!
At Bergen Steinsenter you will meet Sigmund, a gem cutter surrounded by minerals and gems in his glittering cave of a shop in Bredsgården. His gemstones are crafted into earstuds, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets – most of them sourced from Setesdal, Jotunheimen, and to the far north.
«This green and redish stone is a eclogite, it is made from jade and garnet, with some white zoisite. It’s 420 m.y. old, formed deep down in a subduction sone. I also stock the Bergen rock. By NASA called "the Genesis-rock» found on the moon, proving the theory of two colliding planets forming the earth – the moon beeing the residue. And with no moon – no life on earth. Does the moon originate from Bergen? Ask me, I know the answer.»
When talking to Sigmund you quickly learn that there is no such thing as just a stone.
«This is why I find working with stones and minerals inspiring. You can cut and polish a seemingly dull stone, and it will not only become a beautiful gem – but also reveal stories that baffles you.» His shop is a marvel of jewellery and decorative items, and Sigmunds vast knowledge and stories makes the time spent in his shop even more magical.
«For the International Eurovision in 1986 I made the sculpture for the winner from Netherlands. It was made from crystal quartz on a base of larvikite – a stone unique to Norway. I was also asked to design a gift for King Olav V for the opening of the undersea tunnel in Ålesund; stone cufflinks cut like a tunnel opening.»
His shop is busy with people year round, and is popular among locals as well as travellers.
“My most popular gems are thulite, eclogite and larvikite. Thulite being the national mineral, the moonstone or Bergen-stone, and larvikite the national rock.»
In his shop you can find thulite, Bergen-stone, and larvikite, as both decorative items and set in silver as pendants and rings.
Core opening hours:
Monday to Friday 12:00 - 16:00. Saturday until 15:00.
More info: Bergen-steinsenter.no
New life in historic setting on Bryggen.
Breathing new life into these wonderful old buildings, artists and designers help preserve Bryggen for future generations. Not only financially through rent, but keeping the rooms heated at a constant temperature helps preserve the old timber. In addition they make spaces at Bryggen accessible to the public.
“The Bryggen passages are full of artists and designers who care for the place they have their studios in,” says Susan. “Exactly what The Bryggen Foundation looks for in their tenants. We don’t want to be just a part of a museum, but to be a lively workplace open to visitors all year round.”
Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
“After one of the city’s last fires, there were debates whether to demolish it. Luckily some good minds saw its value and helped restore it. It feels good to be part of keeping it alive,” says Hege.
It’s easy to see that Gunvor, Susan and Hege love where they work, and always have time for a chat with other Bryggen studio owners passing by under the eaves.
“Owning a studio in a UNESCO site is a privilege, and a responsibility”, says Gunvor. “You enter a magical world through the front. The city is still out there, but we work in our own little bubble of history.” Susan agrees, “We work closely with The Bryggen Foundation to keep this area relevant and popular among locals. When you use local businesses you are give us the opportunity to stay open all year round. You know you have bought something personal that can be enjoyed for years and years. Pop in and see us!” she smiles.
A whole day at Bryggen
In addition to galleries and studios you will also find museums, restaurants and shops at Bryggen. In Norsemen Miniatures, Sigve Solberg has made it his life's work to convey Norwegian history - in miniature. Right next door you will find the collector Mark, who in his "Museum of Poison" displays a unique collection of old pharmacy bottles, rat poison packages, medicines, poisonous plants, animals and minerals - and reveals how people throughout the ages have used, feared and misunderstood poison.
As you will understand, you can easily spend a whole day exploring Bryggen. If you want to finish with a good dinner, you will find a selection of restaurants at Bryggen here.
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
