Odense of Andersen's time

Odense, located on the northern part of the island of Fyn [Funen], is an ancient city and was a sacred pagan site from pre-historic times. The name Odense comes from Odens vi, Odin's sanctuary. Odin is the leader of the the Norse gods. The earliest historical record regarding Odense tells that it was a bishop's seat from the 10th century and a center for religious pilgrimages in medieval times. In the Middle Ages, the capital of Denmark moved with the King, and was often located in Odense, one of Denmark's largest towns. Therefore, the early history of Odense was often molded by this fact. In 1086, King Knud II, later Saint Knud, was murdered in front of the high altar in St. Alban's Church, the church he founded. In 1300 the church was rebuilt as a Gothic Cathedral and named Saint Knud's Cathedral and houses his tomb in the crypt. In 1247, Odense was burned to the ground during a royal rivalry. Despite this, some buildings survive through modern times. A 12th-century Benedictine monastery as well as a Franciscan monastery founded 1279 can still be seen today. Also in the 13th century, St. Hans's Church was built by the Knights Hospitallers.

Sankt Albani's school: Andersen's childhood School Photo by S. Brantly

Odense thrived as a commercial center throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Odense Castle was rebuilt by Frederik IV in 1720, partly on the thirteenth-century foundations of St. Hans's Monastery. Today the castle houses the county administrative offices

Andersen's childhood home Photo by S. Mellor

Growth and trade increased throughout Andersen's time in the 19th century. In 1804, a year before Andersen was born, a harbor was completed and Odense became a port with the opening of the Odense Canal. Odense's industries included the manufacturing of tobacco, textiles, and sugar. It also had iron foundries, shipbuilding yards, and meat and fish canneries. During Andersen's time, Odense was the second largest town in Denmark. Despite this fact, the town had a population of only ca. 4000 inhabitants. Hans Christian Andersen was born in Odense in 1805 and left it for Copenhagen in 1819, at the age of 14.

Bangs Boder, Odense: Outside the Andersen Museum Photo by S. Brantly

Today, Odense is the third largest city in Denmark, following Copenhagen and Århus. The city of Odense has a population of 184,000 inhabitants and is home of the Andersen Museum and The University of Odense.

To Learn More about modern Odense, check out the Odense Web Site.