“Did you know this church has stood here for centuries?” I ask. We are standing before Sant Jaume. It is one of Palma’s oldest and most storied churches. Sant Jaume is a testament to faith and art.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Palma in 1229. King Jaume I has just conquered the island from the Moors. He wants to build a Christian temple on the site of the main mosque. This is the beginning of Sant Jaume. The church is dedicated to Jaume I. He is remembered as James I the Conqueror.
Construction began in 1327. Jordi Pujol directed the work. The church exemplifies Gothic architecture. Look at the single nave. Notice its cross-vaulted ceiling. Don’t miss the beautiful rose window at the front.
But Sant Jaume is more than just old stones. It is a living building. Over the centuries, different artists have left their mark. In 1776, Miquel Tomàs renovated the main entrance. He added beautiful ornamentation. See the bust of Saint James? That’s Tomàs’ work.
The Baroque-style portal replaced the original 15th-century one. Tomàs decorated it with rocaille. Rocaille is a style of ornamentation using pebbles and shells.
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament was added in the 17th century. Tomàs de Torrella ceded adjacent houses in 1650 for its construction. Inside, discover Baroque art. Note the canvases of Santo Cristo by Miquel Pons Cantallops. Admire the San Cayetano gilded altarpiece.
Sant Jaume suffered damage in 1870. It has been recently restored. Its small size creates simplicity and beauty. Coats of arms adorn the arch-stones of the vault. They represent the benefactors who helped build it. Sant Jaume is a heraldic treasure trove.
Unlike some other churches, Sant Jaume has never been reconstructed. It preserves its original Gothic style. Only the chapel of the tabernacle is in Baroque style dating from the 17th century. The tomb of the Cotoner family is here. They were masters of the Order of Malta.
The Parish of Sant Jaume was founded by the kings of Mallorca. It was documented in 1248. Sant Jaume is one of Palma’s five oldest parishes. The others are Santa Eulalia, Santa Catalina de Siena, Sant Miquel, and Santa Creu.
Take a moment to appreciate the history held within these walls. The church stands just west of Placa Major. It has witnessed centuries of Palma’s story. Sant Jaume is more than a building. It is a symbol of faith, art, and the enduring spirit of Mallorca.