Karmøy Municipality

The St. Olav’s Church, Avaldsnes.

Photo: DHH

Karmøy
Norway’s most densely populated island holds many surprises for the visitor. Skudeneshavn in the south is a charming and lively tall ships town that dates from the 1800s. Skudeneshavn has recently been bestowed with the title; Norway’s Summer Town. Among the town’s attractions are the historic empire style and exciting natural landscape. Located further north is Åkrehamn with its fine white beaches, and Kopervik, the administrative centre of Karmøy. On the northwest side of Karmøy, you can visit Visnes, a distinctive old mining community that once upon a time was of significant international importance.

It was here that Harald Hårfagre established court following the battle of Hafrsfjord. Avaldsnes was strategically positioned at the mouth of the long narrow sound that was part of ‘Nordvegen’ - the way north, from where the name Norway is derived. Nordvegen History Centre opened in 2005. The Viking, Harald Hårfagre, guides visitors to the centre through the course of Norwegian history.

Avaldsnes is the location of beautiful St. Olav’s Church and also the site of Rogaland’s millennium focal point. The church was founded in 1250 AD by King Håkon Håkonson and stands today as a powerful symbol of Karmøy’s former greatness. Avaldsnes is Norway’s oldest royal seat. The new Nordvegen History Centre is located adjacent to the church, while on Bukkøy to the east of the church, is the reconstructed Viking Centre.

Skudeneshavn
On the outermost southerly tip of Karmøy where the lighthouses look out towards Skudefjorden Fjord and the North Sea, you will find the charming tall ships’ town of Skudeneshavn. The history of the town stretches back to the early 1800s when the rich herring-fishing period spawned a hectic industry, and what is today known as the “old town” originated from this period. In practical terms, all of the 125 houses and sailors’ cottages are preserved and can be seen today as they were in their original style. The history of the town is presented in concise form at Mælandsgården Museum. Today, Skudeneshavn is one of the best-preserved small towns in Norway. Skudeneshavn was designated Norway’s Summer Town in 2004.

Åkrehamn
Outermost west towards the North Sea is the town of Åkrehamn. The beautiful sandy beaches and sloping naked rocks of Karmøy’s western shore have been home to people here since ancient times. Åkrehamn was founded by fishermen, farmers and seafarers through many generations, and still retains a vibrant fishing industry. Today, Åkrehamn is a modern locality comprising approximately 6500 inhabitants and is a base for various trade and service industries. Every day, small smack fishing boats leave the harbour with its idyllic little wooden cottages on their way out to fish in the open sea. A visit to Åkrehamn Coast Museum provides more information about the history of the locality.

Kopervik
Kopervik is the administrative centre of Karmøy where state and local municipal offices are located. The inlet to Kopervik was already settled in the early 1800s, and at Treborg some of the old settlement can still be seen in the form of wellpreserved wooden houses. In earlier times Kopervik was well known for its canning factories. The Icelandic historian, Tormod Torfæus, lived most of his adult life on a farm at Stangeland in Kopervik. He is best known for his historical work, “Historia reum Norvegicanes”, which is a history of the Norwegian people from prehistoric times to the present – as the present was perceived when written in the 1600s.

KARMØY MUNICIPALITY
Coastline: 140 km
Area: 228 km2
Inhabitants: 38.000
Main industries: Trade, services, agriculture, industry, fishery.
Highest point: Dyrafjellet – 172 metres above sea level.

www.visitkarmoy.no
www.visitskudeneshavn.no