Odense

About

Named after Odin, Odense’s is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, first mentioned in 988. While Odense was relatively important through the Middle Ages, it was the modern age that put the city on the map, becoming a thriving industrial center in the 18th century, and thanks to Hans Christian Andersen, a cultural one as well. Today, the city is filled with whimsical references to the renowned author such as his silhouette in the pedestrian lights, but the best place to learn about him is in his ancestral home, which is now a museum. Here visitors will find artefacts documenting his life, and of course, his stories. But the city has much more to offer, such as Denmark’s best zoo, or the 19th century Funen village, which brings rural traditions to life.