The old centre of Bergen (Bryggen), Norway - Stockfoto

The city of Bergen was founded in 1070. In 1360 a Kontor of the Hanseatic League was established there, and as the town developed into an important trading centre, the wharfs were improved. The administrative buildings of Bryggen housed clerks from many areas, especially Germany. The main trade was dried cod from Northern Norway in return for cereals from mainland Europe.The oldest part of Bergen, which is called Bryggen (Norwegian, "The Wharf" ), also known as Tyskebryggen ; ("the German Wharf") is a series of Hanseatic commercial buildings lining the eastern side of the fjord coming into Bergen, Norway.Bryggen was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979.