Sortebrødre Torv (Blackfriars Square), Odense
A modest cobbled square where traces of a 13th‑century monastery, a pioneering theatre and a bustling market weave Odense’s history into everyday city life.
Blackfriars Square, or Sortebrødre Torv, is a compact, cobbled square in Odense’s old town, where medieval monastic history meets lively contemporary market life. Laid out on the site of a 13th‑century Dominican monastery, the square still shows the outline of the vanished cloister in brass markers set into the paving. Today it hosts a twice‑weekly fresh food market, seasonal events like the H.C. Andersen Christmas market, and offers easy access to atmospheric “fairytale” streets and the nearby Hans Christian Andersen House.
A brief summary to Blackfriars Square
- Sortebrødre Torv 2, Odense Municipality, Odense C, 5000, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Time your visit for Wednesday or Saturday morning to experience the full atmosphere of the fresh food market with regional produce and flowers.
- Look down at the cobbles to spot the brass markers outlining the former Dominican monastery that once dominated the square.
- Combine the square with a slow wander through nearby historic lanes and a visit to the Hans Christian Andersen House for a half‑day old‑town walk.
- Visit in early December if possible to catch the H.C. Andersen–themed Christmas market, when the square is especially atmospheric.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the square and surrounding streets are cobbled, which can be uneven for prams, wheelchairs and thin‑soled footwear.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Walk from Odense city centre
From the central pedestrian shopping streets in Odense, allow around 5–10 minutes’ walking to reach Sortebrødre Torv. The route is flat but paved mainly with cobblestones, which can feel uneven for wheelchairs, prams and those with reduced mobility. As the square lies in a largely traffic‑calmed historic area, there is no direct car access right onto the cobbles, and you will finish the last part on foot through the old town.
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Local bus to Odense centre
Several city bus lines stop within roughly 10–15 minutes’ walk of Sortebrødre Torv at central hubs in Odense. Typical journeys from outlying neighbourhoods to the centre take 10–25 minutes, with a single adult ticket usually costing in the range of 20–30 DKK depending on zones and discounts. Services are frequent on weekdays and reduced in the late evening and on Sundays. From the bus stops you continue on foot through the pedestrianised streets, so plan for cobblestones and limited shelter in bad weather.
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From Odense railway station on foot
If you arrive by regional or intercity train, expect a 10–15 minute walk from Odense railway station to Sortebrødre Torv through the compact city centre. The way is mostly level but includes sections of cobbled pavement. This option is free beyond your train ticket and is straightforward in most weather, although strong wind or heavy rain can make the open streets less comfortable, as there are few covered passages en route.
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Car access and nearby parking
Driving directly into the square is not possible, as the surrounding old town has restricted vehicle access and narrow streets. Instead, use one of the public car parks in central Odense, many of which are around 5–12 minutes’ walk away. Expect typical short‑term parking fees in the region of 12–25 DKK per hour, with some time limits and higher rates in peak periods. Spaces can fill quickly on market days and during December events, so allow extra time to find parking and to walk over the cobbled streets to the square.
Blackfriars Square location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Clear Skies
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Blackfriars Square
From Medieval Monastery to City Square
Sortebrødre Torv occupies the footprint of a Dominican monastery founded here in 1238 by monks arriving from the south of Europe. For nearly three centuries the cloister and its church shaped this part of Odense, before the Reformation transferred the complex to the Crown in 1536. Over time the buildings were dismantled and their bricks and timber reused in houses around the square, a tangible recycling of sacred stone into everyday homes. Although nothing of the monastery stands above ground today, its memory is etched into the cobbles. Brass markers trace the outlines of long‑vanished walls and courtyards, so you quite literally walk the plan of the priory as you cross the square. It is a subtle but powerful reminder that this small, unassuming plaza once pulsed with the rituals and routines of monastic life.Stage Lights and Hans Christian Andersen
By the late 18th century, Sortebrødre Torv had taken on a new cultural role. In 1795, Odense’s first theatre, the Comediehus, was built on the square, giving the city its inaugural permanent stage. Here a young Hans Christian Andersen, then a provincial boy with big ambitions, first performed as an extra in 1812 and fell under the spell of theatre. The building was later replaced and eventually lost to fire in the 20th century, yet its location at the heart of the square still feels like a threshold between ordinary streets and imagined worlds. Today, the connection to Andersen continues in a looser, atmospheric way. From the square it is only a short stroll to the Hans Christian Andersen House and the network of narrow lanes with colourful façades that often evoke his fairytale settings. In many ways, Sortebrødre Torv serves as a hinge between Odense’s literary heritage and its day‑to‑day urban rhythm.Market Traditions in a Compact Space
For centuries Odense has been a trading town, and markets once filled several central squares. As traffic patterns changed in the 20th century, open‑air trade gradually concentrated here at Sortebrødre Torv. Today, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, stalls spread across the cobbles with seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers, fish, and local specialties such as smoked cheeses from Funen. The square is intimate rather than grand, ringed by low historic buildings that frame the bustle. On a market morning it is easy to appreciate how trade has long animated this space, from medieval food stalls outside the monastery walls to the contemporary farmers’ market that now draws locals for their weekly shopping.Seasonal Festivities and Everyday Cafés
Beyond the regular produce market, the square often becomes a stage for seasonal events. In early December it hosts the H.C. Andersen–themed Christmas market, when stalls, decorations and performances transform the cobbles into a festive village. At these times, the layers of history, from monastic cloister to theatre stage to modern plaza, feel especially vivid. On ordinary days, cafés and restaurants around the edges of the square provide outdoor seating in good weather, turning the space into an informal living room for the old town. It is as much a place to pause over coffee and watch bicycles and market trolleys roll past as it is a checklist sight.A Gateway to Odense’s Historic Quarter
Physically small but well placed, Sortebrødre Torv acts as a gateway into some of Odense’s most atmospheric streets. From here, narrow lanes lined with half‑timbered houses and colourful townhouses radiate out, leading to courtyards, churches and museums. The square’s central position makes it a natural orientation point when exploring the historic quarter on foot. Because of its modest scale, it is easy to overlook how many stories converge on this patch of cobblestones: the contemplative routines of medieval monks, the excitement of early provincial theatre, the hum of markets and modern festivals. Taken together, they give Blackfriars Square a quietly rich character that rewards a short but attentive visit.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Oceania
0.4 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Odense St.
0.4 km
Central rail and bus hub of Funen, Odense Station links Denmark’s mainlines with the city’s historic heart, light rail and cultural sights in one integrated complex.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.4 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.4 km
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
visit
0.5 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.8 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.6 km
Small in size but huge in symbolism, this Odense statue honours the local coach who led Denmark to its unforgettable Euro 1992 triumph.
TheDoorOdense
3.3 km
Experience innovative architecture and 600 years of seafaring history at the award-winning M/S Maritime Museum, nestled below Helsingør’s iconic waterfront.
Det gamle vandtårn
4.3 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
5.1 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
6.8 km
Historic black houses preserving working-class resilience on Odense's waterfront.
Besættelsesmuseum Fyn... Besættelsesmuseum Fyn er kun åben den første søndag i måneden fra kl 11 til 15.
9.1 km
An immersive, architecturally acclaimed underground museum in Helsingør, bringing Denmark’s rich maritime history to life beside the legendary Kronborg Castle.
Sanderumgaard v/Erik Vind
10.2 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
13.2 km
A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.
The Glavendrup Stone
13.8 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
Andersen on the bench
0.0 km
Share a bronze bench with Hans Christian Andersen himself in the heart of Odense’s fairy-tale district, where the city’s stories slip quietly into everyday life.
Odense Comediehuus
0.1 km
On Sortebrødre Torv, the lost Odense Comediehuus lives on in stories of young H.C. Andersen, vanished footlights and a square that still hums with everyday drama.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
0.1 km
A towering black‑and‑white portrait of Hans Christian Andersen on a quiet Odense gable, where fairytale heritage meets contemporary street art in the old town.
H. C. Andersens House
0.1 km
An immersive museum in Odense where architecture, garden and multimedia exhibitions draw you deep into the imaginative world of Hans Christian Andersen.
Møntergården
0.1 km
A pocket-sized historic quarter where cobbled courtyards, timbered houses and multimedia galleries bring the story of Odense and Funen vividly to life.
Carl Nielsen Museum
0.1 km
Compact yet richly layered museum in Odense’s musical quarter, tracing Carl Nielsen’s life, music and partnership with sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen.
Museum Odense
0.1 km
An intimate city museum in Odense’s old town, blending Viking stories, historic homes and hands-on family exhibits across courtyards and centuries.
VILLE VAU
0.1 km
A playful fairy-tale universe inside H.C. Andersen’s House, where children dress up, act out stories and create their own adventures in the heart of Odense.
Kramboden i Odense
0.2 km
Gothic grandeur and royal history meet in the heart of Odense at St. Canute's Cathedral, a landmark of spiritual and architectural significance on Funen.
St. Alban's Church
0.3 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Odense Noble Virgin Convent
0.3 km
Discover Thomas Dambo’s eco-friendly giant troll, Hans Hulehånd, hidden along Odense’s scenic canal—blending public art, folklore, and a touch of adventure for all ages.
Klods Hans billedevæg
0.3 km
A small but vibrant picture wall where Hans Christian Andersen’s bold misfit, Klods Hans, steps off the page and into the streets of historic Odense.
Saint Hans Church
0.3 km
A medieval monastic church of red brick and quiet light, Saint Hans links Odense’s castle, sacred history and old-town charm in one compact, atmospheric stop.
Washing Site at Odense River
0.3 km
A modest riverside platform where washerwomen toiled, the Washing Site at Odense River quietly preserves the everyday world that shaped Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood.
Vægmaleri
0.3 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
Essential places to dine
Grønttorvet
0.1 km
Centuries-old Danish inn on Odense’s Sortebrødre Torv, serving hearty traditional dishes with a generous dose of hygge in the city’s atmospheric old town.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.1 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
Den Gamle Kro A/S
0.1 km
Historic timbered inn in central Odense serving elevated Danish classics in candlelit rooms and a charming courtyard, ideal for both intimate meals and celebrations.
La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
0.1 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.2 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
Ryan's of Odense
0.2 km
Atmospheric Irish pub in Odense’s lively city center, famed for its live music, warm hospitality, and classic selection of beers and comfort food.
Brasserie Bordeaux
0.2 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Restaurant Ribelli
0.3 km
Inventive Italian fine dining with a Funen twist, served in an intimate, design-conscious dining room in the historic heart of Odense.
Den Lille Smalle
0.3 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.3 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.3 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
A Hereford Beefstouw - Odense
0.3 km
For nearly 50 years Odense’s quintessential Danish steakhouse, now closed but still shaping the character and culinary memory of Vestergade 13.
MASH - Restaurant Odense
0.3 km
Modern American steakhouse vibes in a historic Odense brewery yard, serving premium cuts, bold wines and cocktails in a low‑lit, cosmopolitan setting.
Druen & Bønnen
0.4 km
Cosy Danish–French bistro and café in the heart of Odense, serving comforting classics, plant‑friendly dishes and relaxed all‑day meals on lively Vestergade.
UBN
0.4 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Klods Hans
0.1 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
House of Amber Odense
0.1 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
0.1 km
A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
Reden Op Shop
0.1 km
Small, stylish second-hand boutique in central Odense where quality women’s fashion, community spirit and social impact come together on one friendly shop floor.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.2 km
Stylish hybrid café and design store in Odense’s Odeons Kvarter, where Scandinavian interiors meet French–Italian café indulgence in a relaxed, home-like setting.
Look At This
0.3 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Aunt Green ApS
0.3 km
A long-loved, family-run yarn universe on Odense’s main pedestrian street, where colour, fibre and Scandinavian knitting traditions come together in one cosy shop.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.4 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.4 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Magasin Odense
0.5 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
0.5 km
A small Odense atelier where Asian tailoring craft, careful alterations and garment repair give your favourite clothes a better fit and a longer life.
Summerbird
0.5 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
Friluftsland
0.5 km
Compact outdoor specialist shop in central Odense, offering quality gear, expert advice and hands-on testing for everything from city showers to Nordic trekking.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.5 km
Central Odense lingerie and swimwear boutique offering feminine designs, expert bra fitting help and relaxed browsing right on the city’s main shopping street.
Dr. Adams
0.5 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Lørups Vinstue
0.1 km
Old‑school Odense pub with red‑checked tablecloths, cheap beers and sing‑along classics, where students, locals and night owls start – and often finish – a night out.
Kick Off - Sportspub
0.1 km
Buzzing Odense sports pub with wall-to-wall screens, cold beer and classic bar games, perfect for catching the big match in relaxed, local surroundings.
Rabalder Bar Odense
0.1 km
A small, homely Odense bar styled like grandma’s living room, serving easygoing drinks and sing‑along hits in the heart of the city’s weekend nightlife.
The Flower and the Bee
0.2 km
Experience Odense's vibrant nightlife at The Flower and the Bee, a premier weekend dance bar offering quality cocktails and dynamic music in a lively atmosphere.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
0.2 km
A small, steadfast neighborhood beer bar in Odense C where inexpensive drinks, local regulars, and a laid-back dive-bar atmosphere tell their own quiet story.
Sir Club
0.2 km
Long‑running Odense beer bar with 27 taps, quiz nights and a relaxed, lived‑in atmosphere where specialty brews and come‑as‑you‑are evenings take the spotlight.
June Bar
0.4 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.4 km
Urban craft beer sanctuary on Odense’s Gråbrødre Plads, pouring rotating specialty brews, free popcorn and laid-back good times from afternoon until late night.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.5 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Ungarsk Vinstue
0.5 km
A warmly worn, dog-friendly brown bodega in central Odense, where cheap beer, local regulars and analog pub life keep a slice of old Denmark quietly alive.
Den Brølende And
0.5 km
Odense’s roaring dance basement where karaoke Thursdays, sing-along party hits and shared buckets of cocktails fuel carefree, late-night dancing on tables.
City Club
0.5 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
Champagniet
0.5 km
Intimate champagne bar in Odense’s old town, pairing carefully curated bubbles with cosy hygge vibes and small plates made for slow, sparkling evenings.
Lalou Vinbar
0.6 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
0.6 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
BUTCHERS Odense
0.1 km
High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.
Boogie Dance Café
0.2 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
Dansebar Odense
0.5 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
1.0 km
Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.
Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
5.3 km
Community-driven square dancing in a cozy Odense neighborhood hall, where callers, patterns and shared rhythm turn an ordinary evening into a friendly social event.
Muzirkus
26.2 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
26.9 km
Laid‑back local nightspot on Nyborg’s main square, mixing simple drinks, sociable bar chatter and a compact dance floor in an unpretentious setting.
Crazy Daisy Svendborg
40.3 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
44.0 km
Intimate live music and cocktail-driven nightlife in the heart of Fredericia, where high-quality sound and curated events turn selected evenings into standout parties.
Falkecenter Samsø ApS
47.4 km
Witness awe-inspiring live falconry shows and get up close with eagles, owls, and hawks at Samsø’s premier raptor center, blending living heritage with wilderness spectacle.
Vinkapellet Samsø
48.4 km
Experience the finest organic and natural wines at Vinkapellet Samsø, a cozy haven for wine enthusiasts in the heart of Brundby.
Ærø Golf Klub
49.2 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
49.9 km
Experience authentic Danish craftsmanship at Samsø Island Distillery, where local botanicals and sustainable practices fuse to create distinctive gin and aquavit on scenic Samsø.
Ræven
50.0 km
Island spirit and Danish hospitality await at Ræven, Samsø—a cozy neighborhood bar with local brews, lively evenings, and a real taste of authentic island life.
Garagen
50.7 km
Garagen is Samsø’s beloved island bar, famed for live music, a rustic woodland setting, and its welcoming, laid-back vibe—a true hub for locals and travelers alike.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Lively
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Instagrammable
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
- Festival / Event Nearby
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
