Odense

Odense, or Odinsey, originally Odinsoe, i.e. Odin’s island referring to old Norse mythology, is one of the oldest cities of Denmark. St 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 Odense Aa[?]. It has a station on the railway route between Copenhagen and Jutland and Schleswig-Holstein via Korsør[?]. A canal, 151/2 to 21 ft. deep, gives access to the town from the fjord.

The famous writer and poet Hans Christian Andersen was born here on April 2, 1805, and a museum with a big collection of his books and belongings is situated here.

Odense also features a museum honoring the classical composer Carl Nielsen, who was born near Odense.

St 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 (Danish: 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 altarpiece (16th century) 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 a museum with old houses typical for Funen.

The commercial national television company TV2 is based in Odense.

The islands Funen and Zealand (Danish: Sjælland) were recently connected by the Great Belt Bridge (Danish: storebæltsbroen). Probably still the second longest suspension bridge in the world. Cars on two bridges to a small island approximately halfway - and trains on a low bridge and a tunnel, it only takes 1 hour and 15 minutes by train from Odense to Copenhagen.

There is a lot of industry. The biggest shipyard in Denmark Odense Steel Shipyard[?] owned by the Maersk Group[?] is situated here. A channel has been dug out to make it possible for ships to sail to a harbour in town. The biggest sales auction of vegetables, fruits and flowers (GASA[?]) in Denmark is situated here. The Albani brewery brews the local Odense pilsner among others.

External links

• The city of Odense: http://www.odense.dk/
• Odense Steel Shipyard: http://www.oss.dk/