Stige Island
The distinctive tower of Stige Church is the first sign that you are approaching the harbor town of Stige. The old ferry berth of the Stige Ferry has been preserved, and at Stige Marina – not far from the ferry landing – you get the sense that the locals have cleverly slowed down time so it doesn’t run away from them. There’s plenty of time for a chat about high tide and sailing life among the black-painted fishermen’s houses.
The old waste mounds on the man-made Stige Island rise prominently in the landscape. Stige Island is a peninsula north of Odense, between the Odense Canal and Odense Fjord. In the early part of the 20th century, it was a popular excursion destination. Later, it was converted into a landfill, and the heaps of waste became the characteristic hills. In 1994, the landfill was closed and covered with soil. Today, Stige Island is once again a popular nature and activity area – in fact, one of Odense’s most popular. You’ll understand why if you take the time to explore this beautiful natural area and perhaps enjoy a refreshment at the ice cream stand.
