Bergen Domkirke – 900 years of church music

Bergen Domkirke, Bergen Cathedral, is one of the concert venues during the Bergen International Festival, and has been a central gathering point for church services and music for almost 900 years. The church was originally built around 1150 as St. Olav's Church, dedicated to Norway's saint king.

As the bishopric of the Bjørgvin diocese and one of Norway's oldest churches, the cathedral carries both a venerable history and acoustics that are suitable for choral music, organ concerts and chamber music.

From Franciscan church to cathedral

St. Olav's Church was transferred to the Franciscan order in the 1200s, and the monks built a beautiful basilica that was consecrated by Bishop Narve a hundred years later. The church was characterised by the Franciscans' sobriety – simple, unadorned, but with good acoustics. Over the centuries, the church has burned down as many as five times. The church building was first converted into a cathedral in 1537.

During a fierce naval battle in Vågen harbour in 1665, when the English and Dutch fleets clashed, the church was hit by a cannonball. It is still lodged in the church tower as a reminder of this dramatic chapter in the city's history. In 1880–83, the cathedral was restored by architects Christie and Blix, who removed the rococo interior and gave the church its current character with Gothic columns and new stained glass windows.

A church space for music

The Rieger organ from 1997

The cathedral's organ, built by Rieger Orgelbau in Austria, has 61 stops and is the fifth organ in the church's history. The first organ was installed as early as 1549. Organ music has therefore been a part of the life of the church for almost 500 years. The current organ is large, with the possibility of countless combinations for sound and timbre.

Acoustics for choral and chamber music

The cathedral can accommodate around 600 people during the Bergen International Festival, and has a long tradition as a concert venue. The church's acoustics are particularly suitable for choral music, organ concerts and chamber music. Bergen Cathedral Choir and Bergen Cathedral's Girls' Choir use the church as their permanent rehearsal location.

How to get to Bergen domkirke?

Bergen domkirke's address

Domkirkeplassen 1, 5003 Bergen, in the middle of Bergen city centre.

Transport to Bergen domkirke

We encourage the public to use public transport. The church is centrally located within walking distance of most bus stops in the city centre. See skyss.no for timetables. Bergen City Bike has a station two minutes' walk from the main entrance. The nearest parking garage is in Rosenkrantzgaten or Bergen Storsenter.

Accessibility at Bergen domkirke

For wheelchair users

The cathedral has a ramp at the rear entrance. Cars can be driven up to the accessible entrance for delivering and collecting passengers. The church has handicap restrooms.

Assistive devices for the hearing impaired

The cathedral has a hearing loop installed.