Sjømannsmonumentet, Maritime memorial in Torgallmenningen, Norway
Sjømannsmonumentet is a monument in Bergen's central square featuring twelve bronze sailor figures arranged on a granite base. The figures vary in height and pose, showing different moments of work and rest, while reliefs at the base depict maritime scenes from various periods.
The monument was created between 1939 and 1945 by sculptor Dyre Vaa to honor Norwegian maritime tradition. Completion was delayed by World War II, and the official opening took place in 1950.
The figures represent working sailors whose faces and postures show the physical demands of life at sea. The monument reflects how maritime work shaped Norwegian identity and remains visible in the way locals relate to the harbor and waterfront.
The monument stands freely accessible in the center of the square and can be viewed from all sides. The plaza itself is level and offers clear sight lines, and in bad weather you can examine details from various vantage points.
Some of the reliefs show details from early encounters between Norwegian sailors and distant lands and cultures. These scenes remind visitors that Norwegian seafaring has a global history extending far beyond Scandinavian waters.
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