Odense Off The Beaten Path Tips by ATLC Top 5 Page for this destination

St. Knuds church - the vault with King Knud

It seems the clergy do not like people to come close to the remains of King Knud or make photo's. An amusing story is told here.

I did not make a photo of the remains of King Knud but you can find a photo here.

St. Knuds church - various

There's much more to see in St. Knud's church. Paintings, vaults and even one colourful modern stained window.
3 photo's here!

St. Knud's church - the main organ

I had to search quite a bit for some more info on the main organ in St. Knud's church.
The organ has 56 stops and was rebuilt in 1965 by the organ builder Marcussen.

I found the following text on the internet:

I 1750erne fik Skt. Knuds Kirke sit store orgel, hvis rokokofacade er bevaret, mens orgelværket er ombygget flere gange. Det er et arbejde af orgelbygger Amdi Worm.

What I can make of this is that it has a roccoco facade and that it was probably built by Amdi Worm? (Danish friends, help me out here, please!).

My interest in organs is usually not very technical. I used to play church organ and was happy to hear it play when I visited the church.

St. Knuds church - the choir organ

To the left of the alter is this modern choir organ, built in 1999 by Carsten Lund. It has 22 organi stops.

St. Knud's church - the pulpit

The large pulpit dominates the south side of the church.

St. Knud's church -the altar

This altarpiece was finished just before The Reformation in 1521 and was made by one Claus Berg, commissioned by the then reigning queen. In 1881 it came to St. Knud's church and is covered in 23 krt. gold leaf.
It is a showcase of medieval theological composition with of course a Catholic origin. Christ on the cross, Mary and the infant, teh Tree of Life from where more biblical scenes are depicted. Also the figures of two Danish kings and their queens.

St. Knud's church (2)

First thing that strikes you inside the church is the high, white interior. The Bishop of Odense began converting the church (the original one was burned down in 1247) to its present day Gothic splendour.
The second thing that strikes you is the raised altar, unusual for its significant height.

St. Knuds church

One of the most beautiful examples of gothic architecture in Denmark must be St. Knud's Church. Saint Knud was a king of Denmark who was killed in 1086 AC. ANd was canonized already in 1101 AC. His remains are still in the church's crypt.
This and the following tips will each contain several photos.
To be honest, it didn't look very remarkable on the outside. Just a church, built out of red bricks.
Opening hours are 10-16 hrs on weekdays and 12-16 hrs Sundays.
Entrance is free.