H.C. Andersens Hus

About the museum

The museum goes back to the poet's hundredth birthday: in 1905 the city of Odense bought the small yellow corner house on Hans Jensens Stræde where Hans Christian Andersen was born on April 2, 1805. After restoration it opened in 1908 as a memorial museum. In 1930 the Mindehallen was added, a domed hall with murals by Niels Larsen Stevns; later additions from the 1970s and from 2004/2005 expanded the exhibition space.

By 2021 a completely new museum had been built to designs by the Japanese firm Kengo Kuma & Associates. About two thirds of the roughly 5,600 square meters lie underground; above ground stand low wooden pavilions that merge with the garden designed by MASU Planning. The new building was inaugurated on June 30, 2021, funded mainly by the A.P. Møller Fonden, other foundations and the municipality.

Instead of a classic biographical show, the museum tells Andersen's fairy tales as walk-through stagings with light, sound and scenography. A biographical section shows original objects, paper cuttings and drawings as well as stations from his life, travels and friendships. The birthplace tells of Andersen's family and of Odense around 1805, and the children's world Ville Vau invites visitors to dress up and play theater. The operator is Museum Odense, which also includes Andersen's childhood home on Munkemøllestræde.

Highlights

• The poet's 1799 birthplace on Hans Jensens Stræde
• Staged fairy-tale rooms, including "Den lille havfrue" (The Little Mermaid) beneath the mirror lake
• Original paper cuttings, drawings and personal belongings of Andersen
• Museum building by Kengo Kuma with fairy-tale garden (opened 2021)
• Radio-play audio guide, written in English by Lemony Snicket
• Children's world Ville Vau with costumes, stage and studio

Permanent exhibitions

• H.C. Andersens Hus – Märchenräume und Biografie – Staged rooms for well-known Andersen fairy tales with light, sound and scenography, complemented by a section on his life, travels and work with original objects and paper cuttings.
• H.C. Andersens Fødehjem – The yellow corner house of 1799 where Andersen was born tells of his family and of Odense around 1805.
• Ville Vau – A children's world with costumes, props and a stage where families can act out fairy tales and get creative in the studio.

Founded

1908

Operated by

Museum Odense

Admission & discounts

The ticket entitles you to one visit to H.C. Andersens Barndomshjem within 30 days and to 50% off admission at Carl Nielsen Museet, TID – Museum for Odense and Den Fynske Landsby. Holders of an annual pass for Kunstmuseum Brandts, Naturama, Fjord&Bælt, Danmarks Jernbanemuseum, Odense Teater or Universe receive 25% off. Visitors with a Ukrainian passport get free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is step-free, except for the 1799 birthplace (narrow doors, high thresholds). Elevator and accessible restroom available. From the Q-Park Odense City underground garage, a wheelchair-accessible elevator (at P19) leads directly to the museum. Assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The children's world Ville Vau (for ages 2 to 12) offers costumes, props, a stage with fairy-tale storytelling and hands-on activities, plus a studio for crafts. One adult may accompany at most four children; children under 16 only with adults. The museum recommends the audio guide from age 8. Only small strollers are allowed, loaner strollers available; no strollers in Ville Vau. Children's birthday parties on weekdays 13:00–15:00 (DKK 249 per participant, 8 to 30 children).

Getting there & parking

Entrances at the birthplace (Hans Jensens Stræde 45), through the garden of Bangs Boder, from the bicycle superhighway and from the underground garage. Under 5 minutes on foot from the Hans Mules Gade bus stop.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Deilig in H.C. Andersen Haven with regional ingredients. Museum shop with books, design and toys, also accessible without admission. Lockable lockers in the coat check; backpacks and large bags are not allowed in the exhibitions. Food you bring yourself only in the picnic room by Ville Vau (on weekends and during holidays). Dogs other than assistance dogs not allowed; no smoking, including in the garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Museum Odense puts together custom events for companies and clubs with tours, talks and catering at its sites; inquiries via info@museumodense.dk.

Plan your visit