Skjolden

I live in an apartment run by “City Hotel” in Odense, Denmark.  The apartment building is several blocks from the hotel.

The front of the building has the name SKJOLDEN on the front of it.  I did an little research and found that the location in Odense has been well know for quite some time.  It can be seen on the oldest map of Odense, dating from 1593.

"Skjolden" is located on the corner of two of Odense's oldest streets Overgade and Nedergade.   It is the name of the building and the area in front of the building.

(By the way, the correct pronunciation for the two streets  is “ORE-GALE” and “NEAR-GALE”.  All I will say is Danish is an interesting language!)

Overgade 21, often also called Skjolden, has through the years been the location for many merchants.  Since the 1880s has been a pastry shop, barber shop, clothing store and instrument maker shop, as well as a sewing machine shop Bernina.

The location in 1800

The present building was built in 1889 by an instrument maker A. Kaiser.  The building has been renovated several times - and is perhaps one of the most remodeled properties on Upper Street and Nedergade.

1895

One of the major renovations was, however, in the years 1949-50, when the facade against Overgade was changed to a door and two windows were replaced with two large display windows.

In 1994 it was decided that the streets and building would be renovated to a more original look.  Skjolden got this occasion again a major facelift.  The facade was changed and the building was given back its two.

Skjolden today

There is a coffee shop going in below the apartment now, opening on August 1st.  From 1583 to a coffee shop in 2014.  Amazing!!