The Badalona City Council has initiated the expropriation of the Monastery of Sant Jeroni de la Murtra to convert it into a thematic museum dedicated to the “discovery” of the Americas. As confirmed by the municipal government, its goal is to restore this historic building as part of the city’s public heritage.
The monastery, an architectural gem of Catalan Gothic architecture, was founded in 1416 and served as one of the residences of the Catholic Monarchs in 1493. In fact, historical records document that it was in this very place that Ferdinand II and Isabella I received Christopher Columbus upon his return from his first voyage to the Americas.
Following the confiscation of church property in the 19th century, the building was acquired by various owners and was eventually used as a tourist attraction and for residential purposes. However, in 1947, the Güell family purchased it, and its heirs are the current owners. The complex was designated a Historic-Artistic Monument of National Interest in 1974 and a Site of Cultural Interest ( BIC) in 2014.
The local government of Badalona had already negotiated the purchase of the property with its owners about a year and a half ago, but no agreement was reached. This summer, the current owners accepted an offer from a private buyer. Since the property is designated as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC), the City Council had the option to exercise a right of first refusal, but it opted instead to expropriate the property; therefore, the final price will be determined by a specialized court.
