Urban Archaeology - Bergen's Katarinahospital.

Today, after leaving my dentist's office, I decided to wander around the immediate area. It's quite the place to be for a geeky archaeologist like myself. You see, my dentist's office is right by the German Wharf (Bryggen) in Bergen, Norway, and right across the street from St Mary's church. What caught my eye today, though, were not the floor to ceiling windows at Bryggen Museum where any- and everyone can feast their eyes on original excavation sections from the massive research initiative after the Bryggen fire disaster of 1955, nor the exquisite beauty radiating from the newly renovated church as she's slowly unwrapped after years of delicate conservation and repairs. What caught my eye were the ruins of St Catherine's Hospital, nestled carefully behind a glass shelter that protrudes from the side of a building, giving passersby and savants alike a window into the past. 

St. Catherine's Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

St. Catherine's Hospital (Katarinahospitalet) was built by Håkon Håkonsen (King Håkon Håkonsen, to be exact...) in 1248 AD and was Norway's first hospital for women. Though the hospital itself was relocated after only a short time, the building was in use until 1527 when a devastating fire left it in ruins. Work to record and conserve the ruin was completed in 2003, resulting in an open excavation nestled below a modern building and protected from the elements by a transparent shelter. Visitors can also follow an elevated walkway behind the paneling for a closer look at well-preserved stone walls and lovely flagstone floors. One of the recovered rooms even sports a beautiful well! 

 

Well, well, well...

Basking in September sun.

Unfortunately not much else is known about this specific locality situated between the world famous UNESCO site of Bryggen and the historically impressive buildings clustered around Bergenhus Fort, but it's well worth a bogle (look, for those of you unfamiliar with Scottish slang).

Definitely geeked up my day!