Andersen - a Catholic church in Spain

 Andersen, "Story of the Dunes." Here a Nordic cabin boy enters a Catholic church in Andalusia, most surely in Málaga where the author had lived for a while. The culture shock between the Baroque Catholic atmosphere --colourful pictures in golden frames and backgrounds, the Virgin with Child surrounded by candles and bouquets of flowers, the ornate vestments of priests and choirboys-- and the simple foreign cabin boy is described as "glory and beauty" (herlighet og pragt) - Andersen, as a good Romantic, is not appalled by Catholicism, nor does he demonise it, rather he finds it exotic and exciting and beautiful!: 

Suddenly he saw before him the mighty portals of a cathedral, with lights streaming out through the twilight of the colonnades, and the fragrance of incense saluting him. Even the poorest beggar in rags could venture to climb those stairs and enter. The sailor who had taken Jörgen ashore went into the church; Jörgen followed, and soon he stood in the sanctuary. Coloured pictures glowed out from golden backgrounds; amid flowers and candles at the altar he beheld the Blessed Virgin holding the Holy Child; priests in their vestments were chanting, while pretty choirboys swung silver censers. What magnificence he saw there! All this glory and beauty, streaming into Jörgen's soul, nearly overpowered him. The church and the faith of his forefathers surrounded him and awakened a chord in his soul, causing tears to come to his eyes. (Jean Hersholt)

Jurgen hardly knew where he was, or which way he went, till he found himself in front of the mighty portal of a cathedral. Light streamed through the dark aisles, and a fragrance of incense was wafted towards him; yet the poorest beggar could venture up the steps into the shrine. Jurgen followed the sailor who was with him into the church, and stood in the sacred edifice. Pictures in golden frames were before him; on the altar stood a figure ot the Virgin, with the child Jesus, surrounded by lights and flowers; priests in festive robes were chanting, and choir-boys, clothed in white, swung the silver censers. What splendour, what magnificence, was here! It streamed in upon his soul, and overpowered him, The church and the faith of his parents touched a chord in his heart, that caused his eyes to overflow with tears. (Victorian translation)

Jörgen estaba completamente desconcertado. De pronto vio ante sí la gran puerta de la catedral. Brillaban luces en la penumbra de las naves, y el aroma del incienso impregnaba el aire. Hasta el mendigo más desharrapado podía subir la escalinata y entrar. El marinero a quien acompañaba Jörgen penetró también en la catedral, y con él entró nuestro mocito. Cuadros de rico colorido destacaban radiantes del fondo dorado. La Virgen con el Niño Jesús aparecía entronizada en el altar, entre flores y cirios, cantaban los sacerdotes, con sus capas de oro y seda, y hermosos monaguillos, ricamente revestidos, agitaban incensarios de plata. ¡Qué magnificencia! Jörgen se sentía subyugado. La iglesia y la fe de sus padres produjeron en él una impresión singular e hicieron sonar en su alma un acorde que le llenó de lágrimas los ojos.

 Da saae han lige foran sig Domkirkens mægtige portal, lysene straalede ud fra de halvdunkle hvælvinger, og der kom en duft af røgelse. Selv den fattigste tigger i pjalter vovede sig op ad trappen derind. Matrosen, som Jørgen fulgte med, lagde veien gjennem kirken, og Jørgen stod i helligdommen. Brogede billeder straalede fra gylden grund. Gudsmoder med Jesubarnet stod paa altaret mellem blomster og lys; præster i høitidsklæder sang, og smukke, pyntede chordrenge svingede sølv-røgelsekar; det var en herlighed, en pragt at see, det gjennemstrømmede Jørgens sjæl, overvældede ham; hans forældres kirke og tro omsluttede ham og slog en ackord i hans sjæl, saa taarer stod ham i øinene. (Original, H.C. Andersen)