Funen (Fyn), Denmark’s second largest island, lies between Jutland and the island of Zealand. Its fertile soil has earned it the name of the garden of Denmark, but it also has much of historical and artistic interest to offer, in particular its beautiful old manor-houses. The administrative and cultural capital of the island is Hans Andersen’s town of Odense.
Funen can be reached from Jutland on one or other of the two large bridges spanning the Little Belt. The older of the two (1935), to the S, is a reinforced concrete structure (1178 m (1300 yds) long; clear height above the water 33 m 108 ft); the newer one (1970), within sight of the old one to the N, is Denmark’s first suspension bridge (1080 m (1200 yds) long; span 600 m (650 yds); clear height 42 m 138 ft), and affords fine views. Immediately beyond the bridge is Middelfart (pop. 18,000; Stavrby Skov Hotel, 80 Melfar, 67 camp site), of which the main feature of interest is the old royal castle of Hindsgavl on the peninsula of the same name (W of the town). The main building, erected in 1784, stands in a beautiful park; also of interest are the local museum in Henner Frisers Hus (1600) and the church, with a beautiful interior.
From Middelfart to Odense ( 201) there are two routes the A1 motorway (45 km 28 miles) and the scenically more attractive old road (51 km 32 miles). The two roads cross one another 12 and 24 km (7i and 15 miles) from Middelfart and unite 10 km (6 miles) before Odense.
From Middelfart it is 40 km (25 miles) to Assens (pop. 11,000; Lillebaelt Hotel, 30 Marcussens Hotel, 13 b.), an old town on the Little Belt with many 16th and 17thc. half-timbered houses and a church of 1488, 60 m (195 ft) long, with a fine interior. From here there are boat services to the islands of Bagtb (30 minutes) and Brandse (1i hours), NW of Assens in the Little Belt.
From Assens it is 39 km (25 miles) NE to Odense. 8 km (5 miles) from Assens, to the left, is the Oksnebjerg (85 m 279 ft), with a memorial to Johan Rantzau, who defeated a force from Lubeck and a peasant army in 1535; there is also a windmill of 1859. To the right is the Skovsbjerg (97 m 318 ft). A pleasant detour can be made to the left of the road, taking in Glambsbjerg, Krengerup and Frebjerg, with the highest hill on Funen (131 m (430 ft): fine view; parking place).
