Hans Christian Andersen Museum

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is located in the city center of Odense on the central part of Funen Island in Denmark. It was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary (1905) of the birth of Denmark’s great fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875).

The museum consists of 18 exhibition rooms housed in a white-walled, red-roofed cottage, located along a cobblestone street. The row of quaint, old-style buildings along the street makes visitors feel as if they’ve traveled back to the 19th century when Andersen was alive. The first 12 of the 18 rooms display Andersen’s life and works in chronological order, showcasing a large collection of his manuscripts, personal letters, sketches, as well as paintings and sculptures about his life created by notable Danish painters and artists. The personal belongings that Andersen used during his lifetime are displayed as they were originally arranged — simple furniture, two patched leather suitcases, a top hat, a briefcase, an umbrella, and a walking cane. These modest travel items, which accompanied him for many years, reflect his humble lifestyle and personal tastes.

The museum was originally built within Andersen’s former residence. As his fame and the influence of his works grew, along with the increasing number of published editions of his stories worldwide and rising visitor numbers, the museum underwent two expansions: one in 1930 for the 125th anniversary of Andersen’s birth, and another in 1975 for the 100th anniversary of his death.