Skudeneshavn

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Old postcard of Skudeneshavn, c.1920s

Skudeneshavn (help·info) (also known as Skudeneshamn, Skudesnes or Skudenes, the name of the parish in which it is located) is a city on the southernmost tip of the island of Karmøy in Norway. It has 5000 inhabitants,^[1] and is part of the municipality of Karmøy in the county of Rogaland.

Skudeneshavn's old town (Gamle Skudeneshavn), consisting of 225 wooden houses, is regarded as one of the best preserved in Europe.^{[citation needed]} In 2004, it was voted Norway's "Summer Town" by listeners to NRK Radio's Reiseradioen programme.^{[citation needed]} In 1990, it won second prize in NORTRA's competition for Norway's Best Preserved Small Town.^[2]

Skudeneshavn is one of the smaller towns in Norway; Kolvereid with 1,470 inhabitants is the smallest.^[1]

Skudefestivalen

Every year, Skudeneshavn hosts a "boating" festival known as the "Skudefestivalen". It usually runs for 4 days (Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun) at the end of June or beginning of July (it is a 'moveable' date). The festival is the largest gathering of coastal culture in Western Norway, with boats of all categories - old wooden boats, vintage boats, modern boats, sailing boats, tall ships - the town is full of life around the harbour - both on land and on water. Markets stalls are set up in the Town Square. Craftsmen demonstrate handcrafts from olden days connected to sea and shipping. Boat builders, ship models, old engines. An art exhibition in "Søragadå" - the main and narrow street in "Old Skudeneshavn" is held with a new festival artist chosen every year. Visitors can see the exhibitions in "Bytunet" in the old part of town. Entertainment is provided in the daytime - and in the evenings in the festival tent featuring national and international artists and in the many seahouses Irish music, blues and middle-of the road pop. Travelling amusement rides and arcades usually align their visits to this popular festival providing extra enjoyment for younger children and teenagers. ( Source: http://www.skudefestivalen.no/)