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In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen

Photo: Johan Joensen

Many of the buildings and places that were significant to H.C. Andersen can still be seen today. Follow in the footsteps of our famous author - quite literally, there are footprints along the entire route - and see the places / buildings in Odense related to our most famous citizen.

In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen

The route starts at the house in Hans Jensen's Stræde, where he was born, in what was then one of the poorest neighborhoods, continues through the historic quarter, makes a detour down to the river and returns to the city centre.

The route is just under 2½ km long in total.

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Map
Sortebrødre Torv (Blackfriars Square)
Photo: Johan Joensen

Sortebrødre Torv (Blackfriars Square)

In the middle of the old town, close to the new H.C. Andersens Hus, lies Sortebrødre Torv. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, the square is the setting for a fresh food market with vegetables, flow...

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The Charity School - historical building
Photo: VisitOdense

The Charity School - historical building

The large building, which has facades on Overgade, Paaskestræde and Adelgade, built in typical Renaissance style with half-timbered protrusions and rosette carvings, is listed. The first part of the b...

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The Washing Site at Odense River
Photo: VisitOdense

The Washing Site at Odense River

H.C. Andersen's mother worked as a washerwoman and washed clothes in Odense Å. Along the river, there were several washing places where the women could put their soapy water. When the clothes had to b...

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The Hans Christian Andersen Statue
Photo: VisitOdense

The Hans Christian Andersen Statue

This bronce statue was revealed on June the 19th in 1888 in the Kings Garden. In 1905 it was moved to Graabroedre Plads and in 1949 it was moved to it's current position in the Fairytale Garden.

The ar...

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Odense Prison - historical building
Photo: Joan Jensen

Odense Prison - historical building

Tugthuset - or Odense Tugt- og Manufakturhus - is located in Klaregade right in the middle of Odense. The building was erected in 1752 as a penal and forced labour institution for criminals and poor p...

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Hans C. Andersen's Childhood Home
Photo: Johan Joensen

Hans C. Andersen's Childhood Home

In Munkemøllestræde, close to the Odense Cathedral, the river and the Fairytale Garden, you will find the little yellow half-timbered house where Hans Christian Andersen lived with his parents from th...

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Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
Photo: Johan Joensen

Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church

The Cathedral, St. Knuds, was built in the 1300s. It is a Gothic cathedral with a bright, high nave. Many consider this to be the finest Gothic building in Denmark.

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Odense City Hall - built 1881-1883
Photo: Johan Joensen

Odense City Hall - built 1881-1883

The Town Hall, which owes its Italian-Gothic lines to the two architects Herholdt and Lendorf, was built in the 1880's.
It was erected on the same side where Odense's oldest, much smaller, though much ...

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Greyfriar's Abbey
Photo: VisitOdense

Greyfriar's Abbey

The Danish king Erik Klipping founded Gråbrødre Kloster in Odense. In 1279 he gave the area in the northwestern corner of the city to the beggar monks of the Franciscan order and over the next many ye...

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Odense Slot (Castle) in King's Park
Photo: Thomas Mørkeberg

Odense Slot (Castle) in King's Park

Towards the end of his reign, Frederik IV wished for the same degree of comfort in provincial castles as he enjoyed in Copenhagen. In 1720 a contract was signed for alterations to be made to "Odensegå...

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Sct. Hans Church
Photo: Joan

Sct. Hans Church

Sct. Hans Church is a Knights Hospitaller monastery church in red stone in the middle of Odense center, close to Kongens Have and Odense Castle. When the church was built, it was located in the northe...

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In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen on your mobile

Useeum is a free app that gives you access to lots of interesting extra content when you visit a museum. The app also has a description of the guided walk in the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen.

You can download the appen i Appstore or Google Play

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