Halsnøy

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing

Halsnøy is the largest island in the south of the commune Kvinnherad in western Norway. With a population of about 2400 (2006) it is also the most densely populated island in the municipality. The most important places are Sæbøvik, Høylandsbygd and Halsnøy monastery.

In 1896 was made on Halsnøy one of the oldest boat finds Norway ( " Toftebåten " or " Halsnøybåten "). The boat was reconstructed in 2006 to scale.

The name derives from Halsnøy "neck" from; the island is in the middle part only 200 m wide.

• 3.1 Traffic
• 3.2 The Halsnøytunnel
• 3.3 Economics

• 4.1 schools
• 4.2 Sports Clubs

Geography

The island Halsnøy located at the output of the Hardangerfjord. The island is glacially shaped, mountainous, except for a few rocky plateau covered by dense coniferous forest, and has only a few flat surfaces that are used for agriculture. Because of usable soil is so scarce, homes are often built on steep slopes are. The highest mountains are the Svartaberg, the Toftås, the Landås, the Ravnekult, the Jamburfjell and Sydnessåta. Inside the island there are some lakes, such as the Landavatn, Gravdalsvatn and Flatdalsvatn ( named after the nearest inhabited spots).

In the neighborhood of Halsnøy are the islands Fjelbergøy ​​and Borgundøy to which a ferry service. Other minor and mostly uninhabited islands are Sjoøya, Kolsøya, Toftøya, Blåbærholmen.

The climate is rainy, with relatively mild winters. As a typical representative of the plant world, the Holly can be seen that no longer exists already a few kilometers inland wild.

The animal world can boast of large mammals only deer. At smaller predators of the Mink is worth mentioning. Chance comes before the viper. In the sea of ​​harbor porpoise is not rare.

Tourism

The biggest attraction on the island is the ruined monastery dating from 1164. Additional attractions include the allsommerliche Sæbøvik Festival, the artistically designed " garden of Magnar " and " Radiohola ", a hard to reach place where during the Second World War, secretly broadcasting of the Allies was bugged. In the summer, many holiday homes are rented to German and West European tourists who devote himself primarily to fishing.

Halsnøy Monastery

Halsnøy monastery in the town district has been one of the first monasteries in Norway. According to tradition, it is said to have been founded by Erling Skakke due to a vow made at the coronation of his son Magnus Erlingsson 1163/1164. Although there are no written reports for this foundation, it is deemed probable, as Erling Skakke in the area had his family estates and for the church's coronation by the Archbishop Øystein Erlendsson the church had to meet far. As well as the monastery was first mentioned, it was mostly " Coenobium paracleti " or " spiritus sancti " called, ie monastery of the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Ghost Order was not founded until 1197, it is suspected that it had initially traded at an Augustinian Canons, which was then reformed to the Holy Ghost Order. Last clarity is still pending, as the Holy Spirit Medal in Scandinavia is not otherwise established, and as restricted to southern France, Italy and southern Germany applies.

The monastery was a hospital, a church and accommodations. It flourished the trade in fish and agricultural products. The Augustinian monks and nuns took care of the sick sailors, soldiers, farmers, and other patients. Even today in the monastery garden herbs that have been previously used for medicine preparation. The complex belongs since 1986 to Sunnhordlandmuseum. Each year, the monastery is a destination for many visitors. It is a tradition that newly wed couples visit the monastery.

Near the monastery is the Community College of Southern Hordaland.

Economy and infrastructure

Traffic

From the port Ranavik in the north of the island a car ferry after Skjærsholmane on the island of Stord and a speedboat for people to Leirvik ( Stord Island ) and Sunde ( mainland ). The port Sydnes in the south allows ferry connections to Utbjoa, Borgundøy and Fjellbergøy ​​.

On the island is a bus line. In Sæbøvik there is a small harbor which is also suitable for loading and unloading of small cargo ships, as well as a small guest harbor.

The interior of the island is still difficult to access. Away from the main roads paved paths be set up only in recent years.

The Halsnøytunnel

Between Halsnøy (above Toftevåg on the east coast ) and the mainland between sin and Husnes a tunnel ( Halsnøytunnel ) was built under the seabed in recent years, which was opened on March 8, 2008. The tunnel has a length of 4210 m, including 2.1 km road again come to connect to the existing road network. The cost is expected to reach 254 million Norwegian kroner. The financing is 53% of toll revenues, 33% funded by the Norwegian government and 10% from a subsidy from the municipality Kvinnherad. The toll station is located on the island and is operated fully automatically. Cars that can not be captured electronically (car pass system), photographed, and the holder will receive an invoice. The toll for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes 100 NOK. For motorcycles and electric vehicles, the tunnel passage is free. The tunnel replaced the ferry Ranavik - Sunde.

Economy

Halsnøy long time lived on fishing and operating large exports of canned fish. Despite declining fish wealth in recent years to be the catch of a sardine ( sild ) has economic significance. Especially near the island Fjellbergøy ​​there are salmon farms.

Other important holdings are:

• Per Skarveland
• Eide Marine Services ( shipbuilding)
• Adonis Data
• Fjelberg Kraftlag (energy supply)

Education and Sports

Train

• Sunnhordland Folkehøgskule ( folk high school)
• Sætre skule, Øyatun Ungdomsskule
• Tofte skule
• Hauge Oppvekstsenter, former Hauge Skule.

Sports clubs

• Halsnøy Idrettslag (volleyball, soccer, swimming )
• Halsnøy o- lay
• Høylandsbygd skyttarlag ( shooting club )

Centrally located in the main town Sæbøvik is a large sports field.

Personalities of Halsnøy

• Bjarte Agdestein, employees at oskarprämiierten film "The Danish Poet"
• Tor Bjarne Bjelland (musician )