St Mary’s Church 🇳🇴

When you step into the Bryggen area in central Bergen, you can visit St. Mary's Church (Mariakirken), the oldest remaining building in the entire city. Originally constructed starting in the 1130s or 1140s and completed around 1180, this historic parish church offers you a direct connection to medieval Norway.

Built primarily of gray soapstone, it stands as a two-towered, three-naved structure featuring a predominantly Romanesque design alongside Gothic influences in its eastern choir. As you explore, you will be walking through a space rich with history. It served as a refuge during an 1183 attack, survived destructive town fires in 1198 and 1248, and functioned as a polling station during Norway's first national elections in 1814.

Taken over by Hanseatic League German merchants in 1408, the church earned the nickname "the German church" and was richly adorned, sparing it from the ruin that befell other local medieval structures. Today, the church seats about 240 people and hosts English language services through the Bergen Anglican Church, making it a welcoming and essential stop for international travelers exploring Bergen's fascinating architectural heritage.

What to see at St Mary's Church

• The oldest remaining building in Bergen, completed around 1180
• Soapstone architecture featuring a main Romanesque design and Gothic choir elements
• Richly adorned history as 'the German church' under Hanseatic League merchants
• Served as a 1814 polling station for Norway's historic first national elections

Visiting tips

If you are visiting from abroad, you can attend English-language services held here by the Bergen Anglican Church.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: During English services

How to get there & what’s nearby

St Mary's Church is easy to reach on Bergen’s public transport, and pairs naturally with University Museum of Bergen. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bergen travel guide.