(also known as Skudeneshamn or Skudenes, the name of the parish in which it is located) is a village on the southernmost tip of the island of Karmøy in Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Haugaland. It has 5,000 inhabitants and is part of the municipality of Karmøy in the county of Rogaland.[1]
Skudeneshavn is one of the smaller towns in Norway; Kolvereid with 1,470 inhabitants is the smallest.[2]In 1990, it won second prize in NORTRA's competition for Norway's Best Preserved Small Town.[3]
Skudeneshavn's old town (Gamle Skudeneshavn), consisting of 225 wooden houses, is regarded as one of the best preserved in Europe. In 2004, it was voted Norway's "Summer Town" by listeners to NRK Radio's Reiseradioen programme.[4]
Every year, Skudeneshavn hosts a "boating" festival known as Skudefestivalen. It usually runs for four 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 sea houses Celtic music, blues and middle-of the road pop. Travelling amusement rides and arcades usually time their visits to coincide with this popular festival, providing extra enjoyment for younger children and teenagers. Every year about 35 000 people visit the festival and it gathers more than 600 boats. The festival in 2011 is 30th June-3rd July. [5]