Historic Skudeneshavn

About

At the extreme southern tip of Karmøy, with lighthouses guiding ships into Skudefjorden and across the North Sea, lies the charm and olde-world flavour of Skudeneshavn, home of the sailing clippers. Founded on the incredible success of the early 19th Century herring harvests, the town grew at a startling rate. Even today, almost 130 original timber homes and seafront wharves have been preserved in ”The Olde Town”. There is a wonderful community atmosphere in Skudeneshavn. Absorb the pervading calm of the narrow streets and alleyways as you relish fresh waffles and coffee in quaint cafes. Or revel in the vibrant festivities of festival days. Or simply explore wonderful walks, beaches and coastline. Welcome to the Museum in Mælandsgården. The Museum is just the place for rich servings of local history in authentic surroundings.

The main street, Søragadå, winds organically through the community with homes on both sides. Many of them have hidden gardens below the rocky outcrops. No two houses are the same, but the general features of Classicism and Empire create a fine, harmonious whole. The buildings sit snugly in the terrain, and the narrow, winding street, with its many tiny mews, defines the spaces and creates an atmosphere that is both secure and intimate.

No architects or town planners were involved, in fact most houses in Old Skudeneshavn were put up by master builders from Rogaland and Agder. This is evident in the form, layout and detailing of the buildings. Some houses were even relocated here from elsewhere. The town’s large shipping fleet meant it was open to cultural impulses from many corners of the world. The styles and fashions of Europe dominated the townscape. Especially popular was the Empire style, which pervaded contemporary Western civilization. In recognition of this and the prevalence of white paint, Old Skudeneshavn has been nicknamed the White Lady of Empire. The Empire style took its roots from the eighteenth century excavations at Pompeii. It is fascinating to see how local craftsmen sought to recreate the splendour of Ancient Rome in their embellishments and ornamentation.

At the top of Søragadå you are welcomed into the Park by a wonderful ship’s figurehead, the “Lady in the Park”. The park was developed around 1900 as a natural retreat and civic amenity, and is today an idyllic oasis frequented by townspeople and visitors alike. Here you can get a good look at the “Moonstone”, believed to have travelled with the ice, which may be 800 million years old! Walk to the vista point to enjoy the view, or test your potential sweetheart on the “Yes/No” park bench!