The Church of San Giacomo in Ayas has ancient origins: it was originally a small chapel, which was enlarged in 1500 at the behest of Pope Alexander VI. Later, the wealthy merchants of the village decided to have it decorated with frescoes. However, as the building was located at a lower level than the road, frequent flooding ended up damaging and destroying most of the paintings.

Today, the church has been raised and still retains some traces of the original frescoes, visible both inside and on the exterior walls. In the same square where the church stands, there is also a grotto inspired by that of Lourdes, inside which there is a statue of the Madonna.