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Odense is the third largest city in Denmark with 145,554 inhabitants (Odense city 1st January 2004) and the capital of the island of Funen. It is the seat of both Odense municipality and Funen County.

The city lies close to Odense Fjord on the River of Odense (iSchleswig-Holstein, (Germany) via Korsør. A canal dug from 1796 to 1806, 7.5 metre (25 ft.) deep, gives access to the town from the fjord.

Accessibility to Odense was greatly increased when ferry service between the two main Danish islands, Zealand and Funen was replaced by the Great Belt Bridge (opened in 1997 for trains, 1998 for cars). The bridge is assumed to be the second longest suspension bridge in the world. Its construction greatly cut transportation time between Odense and the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Copenhagen can now be reached by trains from Odense in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

table , i.e. "Odin's Sanctuary") referring to old Norse mythology, is one of the oldest cities of Denmark and celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1988. The shrine of Saint Knud (also known as Saint Canute) was a great resort of pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages.

In the 16th century the town was the meeting-place of several parliaments, and down to 1805 it was the seat of the provincial assembly of Funen.

Odense's most famous landmark was Odinstårnet (i) constructed in 1935, as the second-tallest tower in Europe, only surpassed by the Eiffel Tower. i

The famous author and poet Hans Christian Andersen was born in Odense on April 2, 1805. A house in the old part of Odense has been turned into a museum with a large collection of his works and belongings. Also his childhood home is a museum.

Classical composer Carl Nielsen was also born near Odense, and the town houses a museum in his honour.

King Canute IV, (ca. 1043 - July 17, 1086), also known as i

Industrialist, Banker and philanthropist Carl Frederik Tietgen was born in Odense on March 19, 1829. Best known for establishing Denmarks first private bank and numerous conglomerates including DFDS, BW, Danisco og Tuborg.

Inventor and Industrialist Thomas B. Thrige, he was born in Odemse on May 5, 1866.

New swimming sensation Louise Ørnstedt (1980 - present) was born in Odense. She recently won gold at the European championships in Trieste, Italy in the 50m back crawl and silver in the 100m and the 200m back stroke.

The worlds best female handball player of all time, Anja Andersen, was born in Odense on February 15 1969

Several large industries are located in or near Odense. Denmark's biggest shipyard, Odense Steel Shipyard owned by the A.P. Møller-Mærsk Group is situated in the neighbouring town Munkebo. The biggest sales auction of vegetables, fruits and flowers (GASA) in Denmark is situated here. The Albani Brewery brews the local i amongst others.

The commercial national television company TV 2 is based in Odense.

The main campus of the University of Southern Denmark is located in Odense.

Odense is the home of a number of football clubs, the most important are OB, B1909, B1913, Dalum, and OKS.

Saint Knud's Cathedral, also known as Saint Canute's Cathedral, 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 . Originally dating from 1081-1093, it was rebuilt in the 13th century. Under the altar lies Canute (Danish: i), the patron saint of Denmark, who had planned to conquer England from William of Normandy. He was slain in an insurrection at Odense in 1086. Odense is also the see of the bishop of Funen.

Kings John (Danish: i) and Christian II are buried in the city.

Our Lady's Church, built in the 13th century and restored in 1851-1852 and again in 1864, contains a carved 16th century altarpiece by Claus Berg of Lübeck.

Odense Palace was erected by King Frederick IV, who died there in 1730.

There is a theatre as well as a symphony orchestra, a zoo, and the Funen Village (iPublic busses in Odense are painted dark red and the city's former street cars had the same colour. In Copenhagen and Århus, busses are yellow.The City Hall has a small scar from a battle between Germans and members of the Danish Resistance on 5 May 1945. The city's coat of arms - located above the main entrance to City Hall - is damaged. On close inspection, the kneecap of Saint Canute is penetrated by a bullet. King and his brother on public display. The cathedral also boasts of one of Denmark's finest altarpieces, a magnificent triptych by Claus Berg. A large fragment of Byzantine cloth is displayed next to the two skeletons.