Bryggen almost became modern buildings and a car park
Bergen’s most photographed place could have looked radically different.
After the fire of 1955, some of Bryggen’s old wooden buildings lay in ashes. The survivors were also at risk: arguments were made for demolishing buildings seen as impractical and vulnerable to fire. Owners imagined modern uses for the area, including commercial premises, industrial facilities and car parks.
One proposal would have replaced almost the entire historic complex with building blocks, including three tall buildings at the rear. In 1959, a foreign resident even wrote to the authorities asking them to preserve the houses. As the future was debated, excavations after the fire revealed traces of medieval Bergen and strengthened interest in the site.
The final decision was to preserve the surviving historic section. In 1979, Bryggen joined UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Walking its wooden passageways today also means walking through an urban choice: the city could have replaced this neighbourhood, but decided to keep it.