ABOUT Odense
Population: 173 000 (metro 196 000)
Country: Denmark
Tallest building: Albani Church
Region: Funen
Founded year (city rights): 1355
Area: 304 km²
Year visited: 2014
Odense, named after the viking god Odin, is Denmark's 3rd largest city and known as HC Andersens birthtown. It is situated on the island of Funen (Fyn), about 1.5 hours by train from Copenhagen. Odense flourished in the middle ages, since it was rebuilt after it was burnt down in 1249. Royalties have lived there, it is a historically important city so you will find many interesting buildings and architecture, both large and small scale -especially churches and museums. Latter years, Odense have been known as one of the Denmark's most multicultural cities. The port of the city, Odense Havn, is Denmark's only canal harbour. Odense used to have Europe's 2nd largest tower, the 175m tall Odinstårnet, but it was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II and still haven't been rebuilt.
MY EXPERIENCE
Why head for Copenhagen a 1500th time? I tried Odense instead, a bit further away and more expensive (train ticket), but worth it. Odense is a nice city, modern but still with many charming old typical Danish houses.
I visited the HC Andersen museum, the Möntergården old houses and the Railway museum. (Composer Carl Nielsen is also from Odens, and there is a museum about him here). Unfortunately the skies were grey most of the time during my visit, it even rained a bit, but in the late afternoon the sun appeared. The Odense Film Festival was taking place during my visit.
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