History & Legend - Fløien Folkerestaurant

Architect Einar Oscar Schou (1877-1966) was one of the initiators behind the plans to build the funicular and Fløien restaurant in 1912. After the funicular opened in 1918, work continued on the actual restaurant, and sketches varied from a vast building with towers and wings built of stone and magnificent function suites in a quasi medieval style – to the building we know and love today. The building was completed on 13 July 1925, forming a landmark for Bergen at the top of the most popular of the seven mountains. The beautiful architecture was designed to the tiniest detail, including ornamentation and interior, by Einar Oscar Schou. During the years to follow, there were a number of managers and the restaurant fluctuated between success and failure. Several known faces from the restaurant business tried and most failed. When the local council purchased the building in 1984, it was practically in disrepair, and the decision was made to pull it down. Fortunately, this decision was not passed, and groups such as the Bergen association of architects and the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments participated in saving the building. In the autumn of 1991, Eric Saudan, owner of Lyststedet Bellevue, leased the property from the council. After comprehensive restoration, the restaurant reopened on 13 June 1992 under the name Fløien Folkerestaurant.