Odense Odense Bulldogs professional ice hockey team, and the city also hosts the H.C. Andersen Marathon. Odense is served by Hans Christian Andersen Airport and Odense station, which lies on the line between Copenhagen and the Jutland peninsula. The name Odense is derived from "Odins Vé", meaning "Odin's sanctuary" as the area was known as a sanctuary for worshippers of the Nordic god, Odin. Odense is one of Denmark's oldest cities. Archaeological excavations in the vicinity show proof of settlement for over 4,000 years since at least the Stone Age. The earliest community was centred on the higher ground between the
Odense Palace strong military influence after the Funen Divisional Officers Library was established there in 1914. The state sold the palace to the Municipality of Odense in 1907, after which the royal garden (King's Garden) was also opened to the public. In subsequent years various official services were housed there, such as the fire station and the amt council. The termination of the amt system in 2007 brought to a close almost 500 years of state administration in Odense. The palace is now used by the urban and cultural administration of the municipality, and has been newly renovated. Odense Palace Odense Palace