Hello my name is Njål and I'm today visiting Lysekloster Abby, an ancient cloister ruin right outside of Bergen here in Norway. The name stems from Lyse and cloister, Lyse is the nearby fjord, and from what information I can dig up indicates it was founded in 1146 by a bishop named Sigurd, who owned some prime farmland there.

Despite monks' supposed vow of poverty, it is quite clear that the first pre-reformation monks here in Norway lived a very good life, mostly farming, amassing land and the structure itself was probably anything but cheap to build. Traces of well built masonry and elaborate designs sill exist. The place is surrounded by cultivated food soil and some fantastic nature walks. Especially during the summer.

I went there in early spring during the ice and cold, so there were less tourists for me to be bothered by. Less green though, so that is a minor drawback. The only one was an elderly fellow going for a walk past the ruin itself.

Anyhow, it seems that in 1536 the Danish king Christian the third devalued declared Lutheranism to be the official sect of Christianity and rejected the old ways. A thing of note is that Norway has been a Christian country for a very long time and still very much so. Very few want to be ruled by Vatican decrees after all.

The abbey itself was dismantled down to the foundation and the materials were salvaged to be used elsewhere in Bergen. Such as the Rosenkrantz tower in town. Another magnificent building in Bergen well worth a visit.

From what you and I can see here, they've made sure to lock the stones in place with cement to prevent erosion and falling stones.

I do love that there are a sweet set of pillars left to marvel at. Which further illustrates how grand and awe-inspiring the place must have been when it was complete. The decay on these pillars is also a good indication on how they were assembled and some of the creative shortcuts used to make decorative surfaces. Everything is made from stone.

The past does not stay buried for long and eventually the ruins were dug up and made into a protected world heritage site, that anyone can visit by taking an hour long bus tour out of town. The stop is right outside the fence and during the day there are more than enough buses to go around. There is some room for cars but do not expect free parking space during the summer. It's also very accessible for people with a wheelchair, since it's flat and all buses in Bergen have a ramp and have no stairs inside. Unlike the old ones with storage space under.

Regardless, my name is Njål #zaceron and I am signing out.