Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. It is situated in the western part of the country where the North and Norwegian Seas meet. The settlement was founded in the 11th century and 200 years later it served the function of the main political center in Norway. Until the mid-19th century it was the largest city and most important port in the country. Centuries of glory can be seen in the beautiful architecture of the city, with a number of churches, castles, palaces, public buildings and Bryggen - the complex of old tenement houses that belonged to Hanseatic merchants. The Old Town of Bergen is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
