Odense

Manufacturing center celebrates native son Hans Christian Andersen

Odense is proud of Hans Christian Andersen, its world-famous son, hawking souvenirs of him and dusting off the writer's memorabilia for each new generation. This ancient town, the third largest in Denmark, has changed greatly since Andersen walked its streets. But for the traveler, its historic core still evokes the fairy-tale town that Andersen knew so well.

Odense is one of the oldest cities in the country, with a history stretching back some 1,000 years. The city's name stems from two words -- Odins Vi (Odin's shrine), suggesting that the god Odin must have been worshipped here in pre-Christian times. The city today is not just a fairy-tale town, but an industrial might in Denmark, its harbor linked by a canal to the Odense Fjord and thus the Great Belt. It's a center of electro-technical, textile, steel, iron, and timber production.

In summer Odense takes on a festive air, with lots of outdoor activities, including all types of music, drama, and street theater taking place on its squares and in its piazzas. Cafes and pubs are lively day and night.

© 2009, Wiley Publishing, Inc.