This was Museum Day! The Bryggen Museum was the morning visit. The experience begins with a backward timeline, and there have been A LOT of fires in Bergen over the centuries, mostly the Bryggen area. In 1955, the area was so dilapidated that when there was yet another fire, many people reportedly wanted the area razed. Archeologists came in and found layers upon layer of artifacts. I was stunned to see items from the 1100s! The museum houses a large collection of over 650 message runes carved on wood and bone. The messages range from showing ownership to love notes. One amusing one says, "Gyda says that you are to go home." There was also a weaving exhibition featuring work by Ragna Breivik. She is known for her professioanl association with Gerhard Munthe, an illustrator, and the Åsmund Frægdagjeva tapestry series.
Afternoon: After circumnavigating the buildings (in the pouring rain!), I finally found the entrance to the Kode Museum. I learned about Norwegian art and artists through the years. The photo is from a series by Harriet Backer who spent six years painting scenes from this stave church. The Kode also has the third largest collection of Edvard Munch. It was fascinating to see his style change through his lifetime.
We went to Heit sauna in the early evening! What fun! It was perfect weather for it. After being wet and cold all day, the sauna was a welcome change. We learned from the locals in there with us that saunas are new to Norway and have gained popularity in the past five years.
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