Frederik VII – statue in King’s Garden

The statue depicts King Frederik VII and elegantly connects the grand narrative of Danish history with a very specific story from Odense. Before ascending the throne, he was Governor of Funen and lived at Odense Palace from 1839 to 1848. The statue is therefore not only a memorial to an important monarch, but also to a historical figure with close ties to the city.

Frederik VII is especially remembered as the king who led Denmark through the transition from absolute monarchy to democracy. It was during his reign that the Danish Constitution was signed in 1849, and he therefore became a symbol of a new era in Danish history. That is also why several monuments were erected in his honour across the country, and the statue in Odense forms part of that story.

The monument was unveiled on 5 June 1868 and originally stood on Flakhaven in front of the city hall. Later, it was moved to King’s Garden, where it now stands in green and historic surroundings close to the palace. The location suits the story of Frederik VII well, as it links his years in Odense with the city’s historic centre.

The statue was created by the sculptor Herman Vilhelm Bissen, who is regarded as one of the most important Danish artists of the 19th century. Frederik VII is portrayed holding the Constitution in one hand, while the other rests on a sabre. This gives the monument an expression that points to both the king’s political significance and the authority he represented in his own time.