During the 13th century, German merchants began to establish guilds (Hansa) to conduct trade among ports in the Baltic Sea. This evolved into the Hanseatic League. The powerful confederation banded together to protect their routes, commerce and each other through laws and an army. One of their major trading posts (a kantor) was established in Bergen in 1360 and operated until 1754. They built the Hanseatic Buildings during this timeframe. The wooden row houses are still a prominent feature of Bergen’s waterfront. Learn more about this fascinating period inside the Hanseatic Museum. Affiliated with this UNESCO World Heritage Site is Schøtstuene, the former assembly hall and kitchen for the Hanseatic merchants.
