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DENMARK | Funen, Denmark Travel Guide
Sunday, May 5, 2024
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A Brief History of Odense
A Brief History of Odense
The history of Odense can be traced back more than 1,000 years. Nobody knows exactly how old Odense is, but the city celebrated its millennium in 1988 based on a letter dated in 988, which is the earliest documented evidence of Odense’s existence. The city probably existed even in the early years of the Viking Age, as the name Odense comes from the Viking God Oden.
The first church, St. Albani Church, was built around the turn of the first millennium in Odense, at what is now known as Albani Square. St. Knuds Cathedral was built about 50 years later in honor of King Knut (sometimes spelled Canute in English), who was hunted down and slain inside St Albani Church by some angry farmers who didn’t see eye-to-eye with the king on his new tax policy. Knut was canonized after his death and his body was buried in the cathedral named after him. This was an important event, not only for Odense but for all of Denmark, since Christianity became the official religion as a result. Odense and seven other cities in Denmark became bishoprics. Odense grew steadily over the centuries and, apart from its importance as a religious center, also became an important city of commerce. In the beginning of the 19th century a canal was built connecting Odense with the sea about 22 km (13 miles) away. Shortly after, a harbor was built next to the city and this increased commerce tremendously.
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