Odense has a long, rich history dating back to 988.  St. Canute’s Cathedral made it a popular destination for Catholic pilgrims during the Middle Ages, and it was also the meeting place for several parliaments.  Odense is currently the capital of the island of Funen.

Sister City History

Odense and Columbus began discussing sister city partnerships in 1985 as a preparation for the millennial anniversary of Odense and Columbus’s celebration of the quincentennial anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage.  The sister city relationship sparked people-to-people exchanges, in the hopes of learning more about the respective cities.  The agreement was finalized in 1988, during Odense’s millennial anniversary year.

Economy

Odense is home to several large industries, including Odense Steel Shipyard and the Albani Brewery.  It is also known for its auction of vegetables, fruits and flowers, Denmark’s largest such auction. Finally, it is a popular location for nationwide conferences and conventions.

Education

Odense is the home to the main campus of University of  Southern Denmark (formerly known as Odense University).

Culture

Because of its long history, Odense has a culture that is steeped in tradition.  The old, preserved buildings give testament to the city’s past, and the city is working on creating greenspace around and near the port harbor to rejuvenate it.  The most popular destinations in Odense include the Odense Zoo and the Odense Theater.