“Each of Our Springs Has Lost Its Miraculous Power”

Abstract This article seeks to apply Marianne Qvortrup Fibiger’s theoretical concept of a “religious hotspot” the case representations French Catholic shrine Lourdes in Danish (Protestant or post-Protestant) public media from 1858 1914. While suggesting that hotspots could be seen as centers wider interest spheres, I seek demonstrate push and pull effects hotspot Lourdes, moving local level Pyrenees national France and, further, broader freethinking-intellectual worlds before finally arrive at relatively distant Denmark. Here, development 1914 mirrors “the fantastic” religiosity such late nineteenth early twentieth centuries. Beginning with disdain, end nostalgic fascination – longing for enchanted no longer available (that is, deemed plausible) Denmark opening century. Further, this helps evaluate dynamics exoticism propose an integral part religious per se; addition, it tweak out commercial nature intrinsic hotspots.