Odense Municipality

Churches and monasteries in Odense Municipality

Historic Churches and Monasteries

Odense's spiritual landscape is anchored by the 13th-century Saint Canute's Cathedral, a premier example of Brick Gothic architecture housing royal tombs. The city's religious history extends from medieval monastic foundations like the Knights Hospitaller's Saint Hans Church to a ring of historic village churches. These outlying sites, such as Bellinge and Højby, are notable for their well-preserved late Gothic frescoes, while central locations like Vor Frue Kirke trace their origins back to the late 12th century.

Historic Churches and Monasteries — Map

Kåre Thor Olsen / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Saint Hans Church

Saint Hans Church is a church in Odense, Denmark. First mentioned in 1295, it was built by the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order…

Jonay CP / CC BY 2.0

B

Saint Canute's Cathedral

St. Canute's Cathedral, also known as Odense Cathedral, is named after the Danish king Canute the Saint, otherwise Canute IV.

Kåre Thor Olsen / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Gråbrødre Kloster

A former Franciscan monastery founded in 1279. The surviving medieval buildings later served as a hospital and now function as a residential complex for the elderly.

Kåre Thor Olsen / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Odense Adelige Jomfrukloster

Established in 1716 in a former bishop's palace, this institution served as a convent for unmarried noblewomen. The complex features a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements.

Claus B. Storgaard / CC BY 3.0

E

Baptistkirken i Odense

Also known as Kristuskirken, this contemporary Baptist church serves a diverse international congregation in central Odense.

F

Vor Frue Kirke

Odense's oldest church, dating to the late 12th century. It features a Romanesque core with Gothic additions and a notable carved altarpiece from the 15th century.

B Askholm / CC BY-SA 2.5

G

Sanderum Kirke

A medieval church located southwest of Odense, recognized for its significant late Gothic wall paintings and traditional Romanesque-Gothic structure.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Aasum kirke

A village church situated near the Odense River, featuring a Romanesque nave and choir with a Gothic tower and porch added in later centuries.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Vollsmose Kirke

Completed in 1975, this modern church features contemporary architecture designed to integrate into the surrounding residential district of Vollsmose.

Nationalmuseet / Public domain

J

Dalum Kirke

Originally part of a 12th-century Benedictine nunnery, this church features Romanesque and Gothic elements and is situated in the scenic Odense River valley.

Snoergreen / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Seden Kirke

A traditional white-washed village church serving the Seden parish, located on the northern outskirts of Odense.

Erik Bachmann / CC-BY-SA-3.0

L

Bellinge Kirke

Renowned for its extensive 15th-century frescoes by the 'Bellinge Master,' depicting detailed biblical scenes and medieval daily life.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

M

Lumby Kirke

A 13th-century church mentioned in King Valdemar's Census Book. It retains its Romanesque nave, complemented by a later Gothic tower and porch.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

N

Allerup Kirke

A medieval church originally dedicated to Saint Ursula, featuring a Romanesque nave and choir constructed from granite and brick.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

O

Allesø Kirke

First mentioned in 1383, this village church features a Romanesque nave and a late Gothic tower. It serves the rural community northwest of Odense.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

P

Paarup Kirke

A medieval village church on Odense's western edge, characterized by its white-washed walls and traditional Danish Romanesque-Gothic architecture.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Q

Davinde Kirke

A historic village church east of Odense, featuring a Romanesque core with Gothic additions and a distinctive tower.

Søren Møller / CC-BY-SA-3.0

R

Højby Kirke

Known for its impressive 15th-century Gothic frescoes, including detailed depictions of the Day of Judgment and the legend of Saint George.

S

Dalum Kloster

Site of a former Benedictine nunnery active from the 12th century until 1580. It later became a manor house and is currently a modern Catholic convent.

Other Lists

Odense Essentials Heritage Sites of Odense Parks and Nature in Odense