ODENSE - DENMARK |
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Odense is the third largest city in Denmark with
144,636 inhabitants (2003) and the capital of the island of Funen.
Odense (from Odins Vi, i.e. "Odin's Sanctuary") referring to old Norse
mythology, is one of the oldest cities of Denmark and celebrated its 1000th
anniversary in 1988. Saint Canute's shrine was a great resort of pilgrims
throughout the middle ages. In the 16th century the town was the
meeting-place of several parliaments, and down to 1805 it was the seat of
the provincial assembly of Funen.
The city lies
close to Odense Fjord on the River of Odense (Odense Å). It has a station on
the railway route between Copenhagen and Jutland / Schleswig-Holstein (Germany)
via Korsør. A canal dug from 1796 to 1806, 7.5 metre (25 ft.) deep, gives
access to the town from the fjord.
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The famous author and poet Hans Christian Andersen was born here on April 2,
1805. A house in the old part of Odense has been turned into a museum with a
large collection of his works and belongings. Also his childhood home is a
museum.
Odense also features a museum honoring the classical composer Carl Nielsen,
who was born near Odense.
Saint Canute's Cathedral, formerly connected with the great Benedictine
monastery of the same name, is one of the largest and finest buildings of
its kind in Denmark. It is constructed of brick in a pure Gothic style.
Originally dating from 1081-1093, it was rebuilt in the 13th century. Under
the altar lies Canute (Knud), the patron saint of Denmark, who intended to
dispute with William of Normandy the possession of England, but was slain in
an insurrection at Odense in 1086. The bishop of Funen resides here.
Kings John (Hans) and Christian II are also buried within the walls. Our
Lady's Church, built in the 13th century and restored in 1851-1852 and again
in 1864, contains a carved 16th century altarpiece by Claus Berg of Lübeck.
Odense Palace was erected by King Frederick IV, who died there in 1730.
There is a theatre as well as a symphony orchestra, a zoo, and the Funen
Village (Den Fynske Landsby) which is an open air museum with old houses
typical for Funen.
The commercial national television company TV 2 is based in Odense.
The islands Funen and Zealand were in 1997 (trains) and 1998 (cars)
connected by the Great Belt Bridge. Probably still the second longest
suspension bridge in the world. Cars drive on two bridges from either island
to a small island approximately halfway. Trains ride on a low bridge and in
a tunnel, the train ride from Odense to Copenhagen is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Several large industries are located in or near Odense. Denmark's biggest
shipyard, Odense Steel Shipyard owned by the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group is
situated in the neighbouring town Munkebo. The biggest sales auction of
vegetables, fruits and flowers (GASA) in Denmark is situated here. The
Albani Brewery brews the local Odense Pilsner amongst others. |
