Bogense () is a town in central

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establishe ...

, located on

Funen Funen ( da, Fyn, ), with an area of , is the third-largest island of Denmark, after Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy. It is the 165th-largest island in the world. It is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 469,947 as o ...

in Nordfyn municipality,

Region of Southern Denmark The Region of Southern Denmark ( da, Region Syddanmark, ; german: Region Süddänemark, ; frr, Regiuun Syddanmark) is an administrative region of Denmark established on Monday 1 January 2007 as part of the 2007 Danish Municipal Reform, which ab ...

. The town has a population of 4,059 (1 January 2022). With its half-timbered houses, narrow streets and large marina, it is a popular tourist spot in the summer. The town is connected to

Odense Odense ( , , ) is the third largest city in Denmark (behind Copenhagen and Aarhus) and the largest city on the island of Funen. As of 1 January 2022, the city proper had a population of 180,863 while Odense Municipality had a population of 2 ...

and

Middelfart Middelfart is a town in central Denmark, with a population of 16,277 . The town is the municipal seat of Middelfart Municipality on the island of Funen ( da, Fyn). Etymology The name Middelfart, first recorded as "Mæthælfar" in Valdemar's Ce ...

via buses operated by Fynbus. The town was the seat of Bogense Municipality until the 2007 Municipal Reform, when Bogense merged into the new Nordfyn Municipality. Though it is not the largest town, Bogense became the seat of the new municipality.

History

Bogense was first mentioned in 1288, when king

Erik Menved Eric VI Menved (1274 – 13 November 1319) was King of Denmark (1286–1319). A son of King Eric V and Agnes of Brandenburg, he became king in 1286 at age 12, when his father was murdered on 22 November by unknown assailants. On account of his age ...

made it into a

borough A borough is an administrative division in various English-speaking countries. In principle, the term ''borough'' designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely. History In the Middle ...

("købstad" in Danish). The town was probably established as a trading post at the end of the 12th century. Its layout with a central main street and a number of cross streets is typical of medieval development. The town is thought to have grown up as a result of the ferry which provided a connection to Klakring in

Jutland Jutland ( da, Jylland ; german: Jütland ; ang, Ēota land ), known anciently as the Cimbric or Cimbrian Peninsula ( la, Cimbricus Chersonesus; da, den Kimbriske Halvø, links=no or ; german: Kimbrische Halbinsel, links=no), is a peninsula of ...

in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

. It was probably granted privileges as a

market town A market town is a Human settlement, settlement most common in Europe that obtained by custom or royal charter, in the Middle Ages, a market right, which allowed it to host a regular marketplace, market; this distinguished it from a village or ...

with a municipal charter during the second half of the 13th century. For most of the 16th century, Bogense prospered from its flourishing trade but in 1575 it was almost completely destroyed by fire. Despite reduced taxes and other incentives from the Crown, the town never really recovered. Furthermore, like most Danish communities, in the 17th century it suffered from a reduction in trade, becoming Funen's smallest market town with only 438 inhabitants in 1672. The situation improved somewhat in the 19th century after a new harbour was established in 1844. The Bogense ferry, which had begun to lose its significance at the end of the 17th century, was discontinued in 1854. In 1882, the town was connected to

by rail while the harbour was enlarged in 1874 and 1894 attracting a shipyard and various smaller industries. For most of the 20th century, the town's principal occupation remained trade but it faced increasing competition from nearby Odense. A few small industries were established resulting in a modest increase in population from 2,747 in 1911 to 3,414 in 2004. Development has recently moved increasingly into the service sector, especially after the seat of Nordfyn Municipality's was established in Bogense in 2007. On 2 and 3 February 2019 the 2019 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships took place in Bogense.

Landmarks

The marina which was opened in 1976 has been extended on several occasions and is now the largest on Funen. Classified more than once as Denmark's best marina, it is within walking distance of the town. The yachting competition, Palby Fyn Cup, starts and ends at the marina. Saint Nicholas Church (''Sankt Nikolaj kirke'') was built in 1406 on the remains of a 12th-century Romanesque church. In the mid-15th century, various additions were completed including the tower which unusually is at the east end of the church. The tall spire used to serve as a landmark for shipping. Comprehensive restoration work was completed in 2010. Artefacts include a 16th-century altar (1588), a 13th-century baptismal font, and a carved pulpit from 1604.

Notable people

* Count Adam Wilhelm Moltke (1785 in Einsiedelsborg – 1864) was Prime Minister of Denmark from 1848 to 1852 * Jens Hansen Lundager (1853–1930) a Danish-born Australian photographer, newspaper editor and politician; grew up in Bogense * Carl Harald Brummer (1864 in Bogense – 1953) an architect who designed of homes at the beginning of the 20th century *

Vera Strodl Dowling Vera Elsie Strodl Dowling (16 July 1918 – 11 January 2015) was a Danish pilot who gained fame in the Second World War as the only Scandinavian woman to fly for the RAF's Air Transport Auxiliary. Later, based in Alberta, Canada, she instructed p ...

(1918–2015) a Danish pilot, the only Scandinavian woman to fly for the RAF's

Air Transport Auxiliary The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) was a British civilian organisation set up at the start of World War II, the Second World War with headquarters at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire. The ATA Ferry flying, ferried new, repaired and damaged milita ...

, lived in Bogense * Jens Albinus (born 1965 in Bogense) a Danish actor and director IMDb Database
retrieved 13 May 2020

Sport

Svend Aage Frederiksen Svend Aage Frederiksen (5 April 1920 – 16 June 1999) was a Danish athlete. He competed in the men's hammer throw at the 1948 Summer Olympics The 1948 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XIV Olympiad and also known as London ...

(1920 in Bogense – 1999) a hammer thrower, competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics * Allan Hansen (born 1949 in Bogense) a skilled mason, a policeman and chairman of the Danish Football Union (DBU) 2002–2014 * Keld Gantzhorn (born 1954 in Gamby near Bogense) a former footballer and manager; managed the

Denmark women's national football team The Denmark women's national football team ( da, Danmarks kvindefodboldlandshold) represents Denmark in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Danish Football Association (DBU) and competes as a member of UEFA in various i ...

1988 to 1996 *

Mogens Just Mikkelsen Mogens Just Mikkelsen (born 23 October 1962 in Bogense) is a Danish Olympic Star class sailor. He competed in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics, finishing 9th in 1992 together with Benny F. Andersen. References Olympic sailors for Denmark ...

(born 1962 in Bogense) a Danish Star-class sailor, competed in the 1988 and

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...

* Peter Ravn (born 1962 in Bogense) a former international motorcycle speedway rider

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Municipal seats of the Region of Southern Denmark Municipal seats of Denmark Cities and towns in the Region of Southern Denmark Populated places in Funen Nordfyn Municipality no:Bogense kommune