Solheim: Cemetery History and Cultural Heritage Walk

Two cultural heritage perspectives stand out in Solheim: the history and layout of Solheim Cemetery, and a walk featuring stories from the places where they unfolded. The cemetery and the walk offer different views of the area. If you choose a holiday apartment based on the character of your destination, Solheim’s local history offers a specific theme to consider.

Solheim Cemetery: history and layout

The City of Bergen established Solheim Cemetery in 1917 on part of the former Solheim estate. It was consecrated on 6 April that year, which was Good Friday. It covers an area of 117.5 daa. The year it was established and the precise date of its consecration place the cemetery in a specific historical period, while the area figure gives a clear sense of its size.

Architectural details also contribute to the character of the place: a crematorium dating from 1939 stands on a terrace below the eastern gable of Solheim Chapel. The grounds are characterised by curved burial plots, winding paths and family graves along the main paths. During the cherry blossom season in May and June, Solheim Cemetery makes a striking sight. The architecture, layout of the paths and seasonal blossoms each create a different impression.

The memorial sites reflect further chapters of history. A memorial grove to Norwegian war dead dates from 1947. The cemetery also contains German war graves and a Soviet war grave. During the Second World War, the Germans used Solheim Cemetery for their fallen. The cemetery’s history thus extends from its establishment in 1917 to its memorial sites and war graves.

Stories along the walk

A cultural heritage walk on Løvstakksiden and along Damsgårdssundet offers insights into Solheim and passes along Solheimsgaten. Cultural heritage signs tell the stories of the places along the route. These include Solheim Community Garden and the monument to Annemis Helland-Hansen. Rather than viewing history only as a sequence of dates, you can encounter the places to which these stories are connected.

This cultural character can help guide your choice of holiday apartment: Solheim offers specific themes for anyone interested in cemetery history, memorial sites and local stories. The cemetery and the walk represent different perspectives on the area’s history. Which of these themes appeals to you most can help determine whether Solheim suits what you have in mind for your stay.

Bergen as a broader cultural setting

In the wider destination of Bergen, Bryggen offers a different historical perspective. The historic harbour district was established as a trading centre by the 12th century. From the 1960s onwards, small craft businesses gradually replaced the former trade in stockfish and other goods. KODE offers another cultural history highlight: the institution cares for, researches and presents a 200-year-old art and music collection, which includes the world’s third-largest collection of works by Edvard Munch. These themes are part of Bergen; Solheim’s own perspective is centred on cemetery history and the cultural heritage walk. If you choose a holiday apartment based on your cultural interests, you can consider which of these themes matter most to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Sydnes, Åsane, Arna, Olsvik, Rådal.

Go to the main travel overview: Bergen.