Odense - Things to See and Do (Part 1)

1.  The City Museum - Møntergården (Bymuseet Møntergården) is an exceptional museum which overviews the history of Odense. The museum is housed inside a beautiful building which was built in 1646. The building is located on the street ‘Overgade 48-50’.  The museum runs through the history of Odense throughout the past 1000 years. Houses from all over the city have been moved to the museum to show how the architectural styles and methods of decorating have change over the years.

2.  Funen´s Art Museum (Fyns Kunstmuseum) first opened its doors in 1885, and it is one of the oldest art museums in Denmark. The museum is located on the street "Jernbanegade 13". The Art Museum holds a wide range of works primarily by famous Danish artists such as, Jens Juel, C.W.Eckersberg, Dankvart Dreyer, Vilhelm Hammershøj, Franciska Clausen, Richard Mortensen and Robert Jacobsen.

3.  Carl Nielsen Museum (Carl Nielsen Museet) is a museum which is dedicated to Denmark’s most famous composer, Carl Nielsen. The museum is located on the street ‘Claus Bergs Gade 11’, The museum houses exhibits the life of the Danish composer, conductor and violinist Carl Nielsen (1865-1931). Carl Nielsen is especially admired for his six symphonies, and his violin, flute and clarinet concertos. Carl Nielsen is highly regarded in Denmark, so much so that his picture is imprinted on the Danish 100 kr. bills. The Museum also exhibits different pieces from the sculpture Anne Marie Nielsen (1863-1945). Anne Marie was a relatively successful Danish sculpture who happened to be married to Carl Nielsen.

4.  H.C. Andersen´s House (H.C. Andersen´s Hus) is one of the prime tourist attractions in Odense. The house is located on the street "Hans Jensensstræde". The house is the birthplace of the world famous fairy tale author, and today it is a museum dedicated to his life and works. Hans Christian Andersen only spent a couple years living in this home before he moved to another house in Odense. The museum has a collection of illustrations, and other visual arts inspired by H.C. Andersen’s poetry. It also holds manuscripts, paper cuttings and personal belongings.

Next to his childhood home is a building called ‘Tinderbox’ (Fyrtøjet), where children can experience H.C. Andersen´s famous fairy tales in many different ways.

A short walk from the H. C. Andersen Museum is H. C. Andersen’s Childhood Home (H.C. Andersen´s Barndomshjem). The house is located on the street "Munke Møllestræde". H. C. Andersen’s Childhood Home is the home in which Hans Christian lived between the ages of 2-14 before he moved to Copenhagen (København). The house on the street ‘Munke Møllestræde’ is what Hans Christian himself considered to be home.       

5. H.C. Andersen-Neighbourhood (H.C. Andersen-kvarteret). The houses surrounding the home of H.C Andersen, were modest homes for families without a lot of money. To the keen observer this neighbourhood sheds some light on the hardships and impoverishment which was experienced by people who lived in this section of town during the early to mid-19th century. Oddly enough today this formerly poor district of town is now a quite affluent region within Odense. The old buildings throughout these walking street make this area a very pleasant place to take a stroll. 

6.  The Funen Village (Den Fynske Landsby) is one of Denmark´s biggest open-air museums, and it is a great attraction for those interested in the history of Denmark. The museum is located on the street `Sejerskovvej 20`. The Funen Village was founded in 1942; however it did not open to the public until 1946. One of the guests attending the opening ceremonies was King Christian the X. The museum's open-air stage opened to the public in 1944, and was used for song festivals during the German Occupation of Denmark. In this village you’ll experience the true atmosphere of a Funen Village around 1850. The village holds more than 25 houses and farms from all over Funen. The museum is dedicated to preserving the memory a typical Danish farming village in the mid-19th century. Every year children performs one of H.C. Andersen´s fairy tales at the amphitheatre.

7.  Odense Zoo (Odense Zoo) The Zoo is located southern part of Odense, on the street `Sdr. Boulevard 306`. The Zoo is a very modern Zoo where you can see many different animals from around the world. A particular focus seems to be wildlife from South America. Odense Zoo is one of the finest Zoos in all of Scandinavia. The Zoo holds more than 3000 animals, and 150 different species. During the summertime you can take on of the tour boats from the centre of Odense to Odense Zoo. For animal lovers and for those with children Odense Zoo should be considered an essential to any visit to Odense. More about 'Odense Zoo'

8.  The Danish Railway Museum (Danmark´s Jernbanemuseum) was built in 1975, and it is the national railway museum. The museum is located on the street `Dannebrogsgade 24`. The museum is the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. The museum is situated in a former engine shed adjacent to the city's main railway station. The Museum tells the story of the Danish railways, and ferries from 1844 until the present.

During school holidays, the Museum runs a steam train on a small railway, which consists of a locomotive, and two carriages.

9. Saint Canute's Cathedral (Sankt Knuds Kirke) Saint Canute´s Cathedral or Odense Cathedral (Sankt Knuds Kirke or Odense Domkirke) is considered to be one of the most distinguished churches built in gothic style in all of Northern Europe. The Church was built on the remains of a prior cathedral which was built in 1100. The oldest part of the building holds an inscription dating back to 1286. The altarpiece in the church is a true masterpiece designed by the wood carver Claus Berg in the 15th century. The crypt holds partly maintained skeleton of `Canute the IV of Denmark or Canute the Holy` (Knud den Hellige). Canute the IV was the King of Denmark from 1080-86, and he is considered to be the last Viking King by many historians. He was murdered in the former Saint Albani Church (Sankt Albani Kirken) in 1086. The St. Albani Church has long since perished however, it is the earliest known church which was built on the current location of Saint Canute`s Cathedral. After his murder his remains were put in a coffin, and placed in the crypt. King Canute was made a Saint by the Catholic Church in 1101. More about St. Canute's Cathedral

Odense - Things to See and Do (Part 2)
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LastUpdate: 2016-09-07 11:49:16