Riksantikvaren has created a new version of the preservation proposal for the area around Bergenhus Fortress. Now, a series of dialogue meetings will be held in Bergen.
In February, the deadline for submitting input on the first version of the preservation proposal expired. A total of 22 statements were received in the public consultation.
The Directorate for Cultural Heritage has now revised the original proposal for area protection around Bergenhus Fortress:
"We have listened to the input received and have revised the proposal for preservation," says National Antiquarian Hanna Geiran.
– We will discuss this proposal with the parties in Bergen until the second hearing this autumn.
After the hearing, the protection proposal will be considered by the Bergen City Council.
- We attach decisive importance to local democracy in this matter, says Geiran.
- Ultimately, it will be up to the city council whether there will be a preservation or not.
Bergenhus Fortress is the very symbol of Bergen's important role as a center of trade and power, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
"The history of Bergen as a vibrant port city is inextricably linked to the inlet in Vågen and Bergenhus Fortress," says Geiran.
These are the changes
The Directorate for Cultural Heritage has created a new map with zoning for the area. The new map largely addresses most of the input received in connection with the consultation. The main features are:
- Fewer arrivals are affected by the traffic limitation than in the first proposal. Cruise ships cannot dock in front of Håkon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower.
- Until 2035, there will be a transitional period during which the county municipality can grant exemptions from all or parts of the traffic restrictions.
- Only one of the 22 power outlets in the area will be covered by the protection.
- The proposal will allow for exemptions for infrastructure. This can include the establishment of new shore power connections in the current wharf area, but does not allow for new expansions of the wharf areas.
- The traffic restriction in zone C is being lifted, which means the current situation and arrivals can continue.
- The area in Skuteviken (zone D) is withdrawn, and the current municipal management of the area will remain as before.
- The proposal allows for customized transformation of the Bontelabo property.
- Adopted plans for bicycles and light rail are not affected.
Further processing
The new map provides a basis for further dialogue meetings in Bergen, including with Vestland County Council, Bergen Municipality, the City Antiquarian, the City Development Department, the World Heritage Coordinator, Bergen Port, and GC Rieber Eiendom, among others.
The Directorate for Cultural Heritage is working towards having a new proposal ready for consultation in September 2026.
We want to clarify the opportunities, not just the limitations, presented by the conservation proposal.
– Discussion and dialogue are common in the processing of a conservation case. Admittedly, there has been more engagement in Bergen than we usually experience, she adds.
