Esglesia de Sant Jaume (Church of St. James), Barcelona

Despite its historical significance as the replacement for the old synagogue in Barcelona, the Church of Saint James stands distinct from the city's former Jewish culture. Nestled amidst a vibrant commercial area filled with shops, hotels, bars, pubs, and restaurants, the church's façade may easily go unnoticed by passersby. However, it is worth noting that since 1970, the church has housed the main altarpiece from the Cathedral—an exquisite gilded wooden work dating back to the 14th century.

The church underwent remodeling between 1866 and 1880, during which the Neo-Gothic façade was added. Retaining its original features, including the first four sections of the nave adorned with ribbed vaults and the pointed arch doorway from 1398, the church bears elements that allude to its Hebrew origins. These include the lintel, added in 1580, and the tympanum, crafted by Josep Santigosa in 1878, featuring a prominent six-pointed star relief.

A visit here is worthwhile, as the level of intricate detail, characteristic to the Gothic Quarter, is quite astonishing.