Marking of the original Albani Church

Odense's first cathedral

St Alban's Church was built as a wooden church around the year 1000 and became the centre of early Christian Odense. Archaeological discoveries suggest that at least two wooden churches may have stood on the site before later generations replaced them with a stone church. The discovery of an early bishop's grave shows that the church already served as Odense's cathedral in the 11th century.

The church was surrounded by a large churchyard that covered a significant part of what is now the city centre. More than 800 graves have been examined by archaeologists over the years, providing valuable insights into life in medieval Odense.

Where Canute the Holy was murdered

On 10 July 1086, King Canute the Holy sought refuge in St Alban's Church during a rebellion against his rule. According to historical accounts, he was murdered in front of the altar together with several of his followers. The event changed the course of Odense's history. Soon afterwards, stories of miracles associated with his grave began to spread, eventually leading to his canonisation as Denmark's first royal saint.

Canute's sainthood turned Odense into an important pilgrimage destination. Just a few years after his death, St Canute's Cathedral was built nearby. Today, visitors can still see his shrine in the cathedral crypt.

History beneath your feet

The markings visible in Albani Square today show the location of the original wooden church. The circular markers indicate where the church's wooden posts once stood, while the cross in the paving marks the spot where Canute the Holy is traditionally believed to have been killed.

The square marker in the paving indicates the location of an early bishop's grave discovered during archaeological excavations in 2015. The find helped confirm that St Alban's Church already functioned as a cathedral in the 11th century.

Quick timeline

• Around the year 1000: The first St Alban's Church is built as a wooden church.
• 10 July 1086: Canute the Holy is murdered in the church during a rebellion.
• 1095: Canute's remains are transferred to the newly built St Canute's Cathedral.
• 12th century: The wooden church is replaced by a church built of stone and brick.
• 1886: Archaeologists establish the location of St Alban's Church.
• 2015: A bishop's grave from the 11th century is discovered during excavations on the site.

The story of St Alban's Church is about more than a church that disappeared centuries ago. It is also the story of the beginnings of Christian Odense, the dramatic fate of Canute the Holy and the archaeological discoveries that continue to reveal new chapters of the city's history. When you visit Albani Square, you are quite literally standing above the remains of a place where an important part of Odense's story unfolded.