 Odense ( Danish pronunciation : [ ˈoðˀn ̩ sə ] ) is the third @-@ largest city in Denmark . It has a population of 175 @,@ 245 as of January 2016 , and is the main city of the island of Funen . By road , Odense is located 45 kilometres ( 28 mi ) north of Svendborg , 144 kilometres ( 89 mi ) to the south of Aarhus and 167 kilometres ( 104 mi ) to the southwest of Copenhagen . The city is the seat of Odense Municipality and was the seat of Odense County until 1970 , and Funen County from 1970 until 1 January 2007 , when Funen County became part of the Region of Southern Denmark . Odense has close associations with Hans Christian Andersen who is remembered above all for his fairy tales . He was born in the city in 1805 and spent his childhood years there . 
