VisitOdense offers a walking tour in the heart of Old Odense to experience the memories of Denmark’s world-famous poet. The tour begins in from city centre by the City Hall, where the sidewalks are imprinted with thirteen square granite blocks that mark the sites linked to Hans Christian Andersen. The stones are decorated with Hans […]

Hans Christian Andersen was baptized shortly after his birth due to the high infant mortality of the times. His baptism was confirmed on 16th April 1805 in this church. During the baptism in the church, the priest was annoyed by the new-born child Hans Christian Andersen, who cried and was very inconsolable. One of the […]

Odense Castle was originally located outside the city, but today it can be found on Nørregade 36, in the city centre and is located close to the king’s garden and the old railway station. The castle has, through several arrangements, been rebuilt and modernized, but the castle was in 1723 eventually erected along with a […]

Gråbrødre Hospital is located on Gråbrødre Square, which is to find adjacent to Ove Sprogøe Square and is connected to the pedestrian zones. In the time of Hans Christian Andersen, Gråbrødre Square was an entire complex of church, hospital and “dårekiste”” (bedlam), an institution for the insane. Today, some of the old buildings can still […]

Odense City Hall has since 1480 been at the corner of Vestergade and Flakhaven, but has repeatedly been restored and dismantled through time. In the time of Hans Christian Andersen, The City Hall was smaller and more humble in its appearance. In the basement of the town hall before the restoration in 1883, there was […]

St. Canute’s Cathedral is where Hans Christian Andersen’s parents were married on February 2nd 1805, where his father’s funeral took place on 30th April 1816 and where Hans Christian Andersen was confirmed on 18th April 1819. Hans Christian Andersen writes in “”Levnedsbogen”” (The Biography) (1832) and “”Mit Livs Eventyr”” (Fairytale of My Life) (1855) about […]

Hans Christian Andersen approached Bishop Plum residing in the Bishops House, which by that time was much closer to Odense Å (creek) than the Bishops House of today. He wanted money for his studies at The Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Two days before his departure, he performed in the Bishops House, reciting poems, performing excerpts […]

Odense Tugthus (old fashion word for prison) was inaugurated in 1752 and had the function of punishing and disciplining the large group of poor, who earned their living by begging. At the time of the inauguration the house was named “Odense Tugt- og Manufakturhus” which basically can be translated into Odense’s Prison and Factory and […]

The big bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen was made in 1888. The statue can be found in the Fairy Tale Garden near Skt. Knuds Cathedral, but was originally placed in The Kings Garden and later it was moved to Gråbrødre Square. The artist behind the statue is Louis Hasselriis (1844-1912). The first draft for […]

“Hans Christian Andersen’s mother earned a living as a washerwoman and washed clothes at Odense Å (creek). The laundering spot today is situated at the end of Paaskestræde, but in the days of Hans Christian Andersen there was also a laundering spot at Munkemøllestræde 20, today a public swimming pool. Hans Christian Andersen depicts his […]