Nonneseter Abbey, Bergen

Nonneseter Abbey, located in Bergen, boasts a rich history that traces back to its first recorded mention in 1262, although its foundation likely occurred around 1150. Initially dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the abbey's nuns were part of the Cistercian Order. The abbey also hosted a hospital from as early as 1411, believed to be a precursor to the Saint George's Lepers' Hospital.

However, the abbey's narrative took a dramatic turn in 1507 when the nuns were expelled due to allegations of immoral behavior. Subsequently, the buildings were handed over to the Hospital Brothers of Saint Anthony. The monastery was secularized in 1528, with the property transformed into a private fortified residence known as Lungegården by Vincens Lunge.

Tragically, most of the original structures were destroyed in a fire in 1891, leaving only minimal remnants of the abbey's former architectural splendor. What survived includes the base of the abbey church's west tower and the Nonneseter Chapel, which were secured by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments post-fire.

The remaining west tower base, known as Tårnfoten, is located near Bergen's public library and features a portal with a round arch in the west wall and another in the east wall, suggesting its original connection to the church. This tower, now clad in dressed stone, serves as a memorial chapel to those who fell during World War II. Its Romanesque style indicates it may predate the Cistercians, suggesting a possible older structure at the site.

Adjacent to Tårnfoten was the abbey church, originally small and expanded in the late 13th century with new choir and choir chapels. Only the Nonneseter Chapel remains from this expansion. Situated at Kaigaten 3, this chapel is distinguished by its Gothic arched windows and vaulted ceiling, indicative of its 1250 construction date. Historically a church for the deaf from 1951 to 1989, it is currently utilized as a concert hall among other functions.