The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark. Odense City has a population of 169,000 and is the main city of the island of Funen. The city is the seat of Odense Municipality, with a population of 192,000, and was the seat of Odense County until 1970, and Funen County from 1970 until 1 January 2007, when Funen County became part of the Region of Southern Denmark.
Odense (from Odins Vé, meaning “Odin’s shrine”, referring to the god Odin of Denmark’s indigenous Norse mythology), is one of the oldest cities of Denmark and had its 1000th anniversary in 1988. To celebrate this, a forest named “the Thousand Year Forest” (Danish: Tusindårsskoven) was cultivated. The shrine of Saint Canute (Danish: Sankt Knud / Knud den Hellige) in Saint Canute’s Cathedral held great attraction for pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages.
The main campus of the University of Southern Denmark is located in Odense. A branch of University College Lillebaelt (Danish: University College Lillebælt) can also be found in Odense. Odense is home to 8 Gymnasiums (Grammar schools), a business school, a vocational school, 21 state grade schools as well as a number of private schools.
Saint Canute’s Cathedral (Danish: Sankt Knuds Kirke) was formerly connected with the great Benedictine monastery of the same name, and is one of the largest and finest buildings of its kind in Denmark. It is constructed of brick in a pure Gothic style. Originally dating from 1081–1093, it was rebuilt in the 13th century. Under the altar lies Canute (Danish: Knud), the patron saint of Denmark, who had planned to conquer England, then ruled by William of Normandy. Canute was slain in an insurrection at Odense in 1086. Odense is also the see of the bishop of Funen. The cathedral has the skeletons of both the Saint/King and his brother on public display. A large fragment of Byzantine cloth is displayed next to the two skeletons. The cathedral also boasts one of Denmark’s finest altarpieces, a magnificent triptych by Claus Berg. Kings John (Danish: Hans) and Christian II are buried in the city.
