In the late Middle Ages, Bryggen was the centre of a lively international trade. The characteristic parallel buildings with gable ends facing the sea are perfect examples of an architecture which has survived for almost 900 years. The buildings in Bryggen consisted of one or two long rows of houses with a shared passageway to a courtyard. These were both residential and for storage. Today, Bryggen wharf in Bergen is a living historical part of town, covering around 3 acres and with 61 listed buildings. 35 of these buildings are owned by the Bryggen association which monitors the public administration of Bryggen. Bryggen in Bergen was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.