What is so special about San Jaime Church?

It is located at the highest part of the old town and is set at the very top of the Old Town on a hill called Canfali. The interior of the church features a Latin cross with a small nave and side chapels, including the chapel of the patron saint. The main entrance to Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana is in plaza de San Jaime.

The exterior of the church is plain and is painted white, with tints of ochre. The cupola is covered with blue tiles. Visitors can see a statue of the VirgendelSufragio inside the church. She is the well-loved patron saint of Benidorm. The Virgin has her own small chapel containing the little wood sculpture which, as the story goes, was found on a boat adrift on the high seas.

The most important religious feasts of the city are celebrated in this church. In November they celebrate the major holidays of Benidorm in the honour of St. James and Our Lady of Suffrage. One of the most important acts of these feasts is the staging of the discovery of the Virgin. The story dates back to 1740, when the Virgin was discovered aboard a boat which was without any passengers, adrift on the sea.

The people here describe it as a beautiful little church in the Old Town up near the castle. As you sit admiring the lovely décor, you hear the soft, lilting music. It adds to the serene and holy ambience of the church.

Sometimes you find some people selling religious objects and mementos, which can be carried back as reminders of the visit. It is definitely worth a visit, even if only for a few minutes of peace in between the busy sightseeing. Not only does the recently restored church appeal to the Christian faithful but also to all people, belonging to each and every religion.

The church has a renovated building envelope and the frescoes of the vault have also been redone. The only complaint that the visitors have is that none of the information in the church is in English, which is a dampener to the foreign traveller.