Guide Service in Odense

Hans Christian Andersen spent the greater part of his childhood near the little river Odense Å. On this guided tour, you will learn how this area looked in Hans Christian Andersen's days and how it inspired our renowned fairytale writer and poet. And to cap it all, we finish by boating on Odense Å.

We start at Vaskepladsen, the washing place, where Hans Christian Andersen's mother did the laundry for the high society in Odense. On we go, across Eventyrhaven, Garden of Fairytales and Munkemose, Moor of the Monks to the Shipping Company Odense Åfart. From here, we go on a nice boating trip on Odense river, past the villas and mansions in Hunderup and past the Zoo, all the way to the forests Hunderup Skov and Fruens Bøge, The Beeches of Our Lady.

During the trip, I will tell you about the sights and connect it all to the life and times of Hans Christian Andersen.

The liberation from Nazi Germany in Odense was a dramatic event. Join us on a guided tour by bicycle to places of significance. For example Flakhaven, Eventyrhaven and the barracks on Sdr. Boulevard.

The 4th of May 1945, the BBC broadcast the famous words stating that Nazi German forces in Denmark had capitulated. This euphoric rush, however, was marked by confusion and dramatic events that cost several lives, both among the citizenry, the occupation forces and their Danish collaborators.

We'll take a ride by monuments and places of importance as I tell you about their dramatic history along the way.

In the Middle Ages there were four churches in Odense: Sct. Albany Church, Church of Our Lady, Sct. Hans Church – with the outside brick pulpit and Sct. Knuds Church (Odense Cathedral). The last three of these still exist today.

In 1086, king Canute the Holy was killed in front of the high altar in Sct. Albany Church. Only 15 years later, this brutal ruler was canonized because of the scene of his murder and Odense got a new cathedral named after Sct. Canute.

The cathedral is the finest gothic building in Denmark and absolutely worth visiting. It is also known for its altarpiece made by Claus Berg.

My guests prefer usually to see the inside of the Cathedral and the outside of both the Cathedral and Sct. Hans Church and a broader tour into the renaissance in Odense.

City walk focusing on the development of the medieval and renaissance city of Odense

Challenge your idea of the size and surroundings of Odense in the Middle Ages on this guided walk along the former city boundary and be surprised at how small medieval Odense actually was. The city boundary consisted of big and small streams and swamps. In the renaissance Odense developed – but slowly.

On this guided walk your imagination will be challenged because there are only few visible traces of the Middle Ages such as a couple of churches and the former bishop's palace. From the renaissance period we have several more buildings.

My story will deal with the origin of Odense, its appearance and development in the course of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. And of course I will point out these buildings and tell you about their stories.

In the Middle Ages, the many monasteries in Odense were a source of knowledge, medicine, and salvation. It was an economic giant that erected the majestic buildings that, in some places, still tower over the beautiful city center.

The monasteries connected the city with God, the king, and the pope, making Odense an international and royal city in the early Middle Ages.

Thus, Odense is part of a history that international bestselling authors have successfully conveyed. Umberto Eco and Jan Guillou are just a few of the names that have immortalized the history of nuns, monks, and monasteries.

And in all modesty, I will bring you into the fantastic tale of Odense's six medieval monasteries. Join me on a journey back to the Middle Ages, a journey that covers everything from Odense Castle to the bishop's current private residence.

Guided walk through downtown Odense.

The tour will give you facts about the early history of the city, some 19th century landmarks, and examples of how the city is developing into a modern metropolis.

I will show you the following locations:

• Overgade/Nedergade

• Eventyrhaven – the Fairytale Garden

• Cathedral

• City Hall

• Fisketorvet/the Fish Market

• The cobblestone streets of Hans Christian Andersen's childhood neighborhood.

Short walk, but good mobility required.

Experience one of the most beautiful buildings in Odense from the inside, which means the City Hall of Odense, situated beautifully opposite the cathedral. During the tour I will introduce you to rooms which are usually not open to the public.

When you experience the building from the inside you will see impressive architechture from the past as well as today and a perfect match of colours. You will see a magnificent painting Fynsk Forår, Spring of Funen, by Yann Kai Nielsen, the wedding room and the memory wall with good stories from the past and the present. The city counsel room and an anteroom with portraits of previous mayors by some of the best painters in Denmark are also on our list.

In the grand hall we find impressive frescoes by the Funen painter Johannes Larsen and I will explain about Hans Christian Andersen who was appointed honorary citizen of Odense exactly here in 1869 – in the old city hall used before the present one was built! As a must the tour also allows you a view of the Queen's State Rooms for when she visits Odense – only when the Queen is not present of course.

The City Hall is an old building with stairs but also lifts. We do guided tours during normal working hours of City Hall only. If you want an exclusive tour outside normal working hours there will be an extra fee for security.

Oluf Bager, a famous Danish merchants in the 16th century Odense.

The famous renaissance merchant Oluf Bager owned lots of buildings in Odense. As a citizen he was not allowed to possess manor houses which was a privilege for the nobility. Hear the story about Oluf Bager, his family and his friendship with the king and learn how he became so wealty. See some of the places in Odense which we can relate to him.

A restaurant is named after Oluf Bager. Alternatively you could start there with a talk about Oluf Bager while having lunch or dinner before we go for the city walk.