After checking out of the hotel, we strolled over to one museum that I really wanted to see because people said it was so unique. It was a cloudy but still a beautiful day. This is a picture from right next to our hotel.
And this was nearby--Edward Grieg and Katya.
The walk was about ten minutes long--we arrived right at the opening of the Leprosy Museum. Oooh....
We were almost the only ones here on a Monday morning. It was quite cold even inside and not only because of the air temperature. It was just a bit chilling...but not in a scary way.
Basically, back in the 1800s when leprosy was widespread and very feared all over the world. This hospital was established as sort of a "safe haven" for those who were suffering. You were quite lucky to be found and led to this place to be allowed to live, eat and get treated (although experimentally) here. The rooms were TINY, fitting two people. It had its own kitchen and everything necessary to feel a lot more comfortable than on the streets.
The children had a lot of information to read as we went from one side to the other.
Mark was mostly fascinated with illustrations in the rooms and stories of people who actually lived and died here.
All three kids were intrigued by this place as they already knew about the story of the ten lepers in the Bible, so this actually gave those ten lepers faces, so to speak, and really explained to them what this disease was all about.
I admit I didn't know EXACTLY was leprosy was but reading about it I couldn't help feeling not grossed out but compassionate towards these suffering people shunned by the public a century ago. And leprosy wasn't even contagious easily!
By the side of the hospital, you can find a small wooden church that is actually slowly sinking underground. The inhabitants of the hospital used to spend endless hours worshipping here--it was a very busy place.
Well, that was an hour well spent, we all thought. Very different from any other places that we've ever visited.
Quick break--and we were on our way to the tough hike for a great view of Bergen.
Lyana.
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