Bergen Cathedral (Domkirke)

Bergen Cathedral (Domkirke), at Domkirkeplassen in central Bergen, in Vestland county, Norway, stands on the site of a 12th-century church dedicated to St Olav, and the present building has grown from that early structure. The medieval church was a Franciscan and later a cathedral church, and Bergen became a diocesan seat in the Middle Ages. The building suffered several fires over the centuries, with major damage in 1248, 1270, 1463, 1623, 1640 and 1680, and each time it was repaired or rebuilt. The Gothic features of the choir and the nave arches reflect the medieval phases of construction. In 1880 to 1888 a large restoration gave the church much of its present Gothic Revival appearance, including the tall spire, which was added in the 19th century. During the Second World War the church suffered from the nearby explosion of 1944, and a cannonball from a 1665 naval action is also preserved in one of the pillars as a reminder of the Battle of Vågen. The interior includes a Baroque pulpit and furnishings from earlier centuries, along with memorials to bishops and local figures. The cathedral remains an active parish church and the seat of the bishop, which means that opening times depend on services and events. Entry is free, and visitors can take in the nave, the choir and the historical features, while concerts take place there at times. Together with the nearby Latin School and the old city streets, it forms part of the historic core of Bergen.