Hans Christian Andersen’s House offers an unpredictable journey through the author’s creative universe, and in the museum you will encounter his beloved stories. The museum unites world-class architecture with beauty and imagination through living spaces that embrace outside and inside, up and down, today and tomorrow. Experience Hans Christian Andersen in completely new ways as the author and his works speak to you through sound, light, space and scenography. Use your imagination as a compass and create your own fairytale experience.
In the heart of Odense, Denmark—birthplace of the legendary storyteller Hans Christian Andersen—stands one of the most enchanting cultural destinations in the Nordic countries: the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, officially known as H.C. Andersen’s House. This extraordinary museum is far more than a traditional exhibition space. It’s a vibrant, immersive experience that brings Andersen’s timeless fairy tales to life through storytelling, architecture, technology, and art.
Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the museum blends seamlessly with its surroundings, featuring underground exhibition halls, enchanted gardens, and curved wooden structures that seem pulled straight from a fantasy. From the moment visitors step inside, they are taken on a poetic journey that reflects the magic, emotion, and imagination of Andersen’s literary world.
At the heart of the museum are the permanent exhibitions, which explore both Andersen’s life and the fairy tales that made him world-famous. These exhibits use immersive storytelling, soundscapes, theatrical lighting, and multimedia to transport visitors into the depths of each tale. Rather than displaying physical artifacts in glass cases, the museum invites guests to experience the emotional core of the stories themselves.
Several of Andersen’s most beloved fairy tales are featured in the permanent exhibition, including:
The Little Mermaid – Visitors are drawn into the underwater world of the mermaid who dreams of a life on land, experiencing her longing and sacrifice through evocative sound and visual installations.
The Ugly Duckling – This powerful tale of transformation and self-worth unfolds in an interactive space that reflects the journey from rejection to acceptance.
The Snow Queen – One of Andersen’s most atmospheric stories, “The Snow Queen” is explored through icy visuals, dreamlike rooms, and a narrative that immerses the visitor in Gerda’s brave journey to save her friend.
Thumbelina – A delicate and magical space reflects the world seen through the eyes of a tiny girl navigating a vast and often threatening environment.
The Steadfast Tin Soldier – The story of love, perseverance, and fate is captured through a theatrical installation that follows the soldier’s adventures with haunting beauty.
The Tinderbox – Magic, destiny, and fortune are the themes explored in a setting that evokes the mystery and charm of Andersen’s early fairy tale.
The museum also includes the Fairy Tale Garden, an outdoor area where scenes and characters from the stories come to life through sculpture and landscaping. Inside, the Immersive Installations and Interactive Exhibits use virtual and augmented reality to allow guests of all ages to dive into Andersen’s narratives, often blending the boundaries between reader and story. More than just a museum, H.C. Andersen’s House is a tribute to the power of imagination, memory, and storytelling. Visitors don’t just learn about Andersen’s works—they feel them. The experience is accessible, multilingual, and designed to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Plan Your Visit
Location: H.C. Andersen’s House, Odense, Denmark
Opening Hours and Tickets: Available on the official website Hcandersenshus.dk
Languages: Audio guides and displays available in Danish, English and German
