Historical Events in Bergen

• 1070: The city of Bergen is founded by King Olav Kyrre and becomes an important trading center in the Hanseatic League.
• 1181: Bergen Cathedral, the oldest extant building in Bergen, is consecrated.
• 1349: The Black Death reaches Bergen, causing a significant decline in the city's population.
• 1665: The Great Fire of Bergen destroys much of the city, leading to the establishment of stricter fire regulations.
• 1814: Norway's independence from Denmark is proclaimed in Bergen, leading to the drafting of a new Norwegian Constitution.
• 1855: Bergen becomes a University City when the Norwegian School of Economics is founded.
• 1944: During World War II, Bergen is heavily bombed by Allied forces targeting German military installations.
• 1979: Bryggen, the historic wharf of Bergen, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• 1990: Bergen hosts the first ever performance of Edvard Grieg's unfinished opera "Olav Tryggvason" at the Bergen International Festival.
• 2000: Bergen celebrates its 900-year anniversary with various events and festivities.