The Badalona City Council has initiated the procedures to expropriate the Sant Jeroni de la Murtra monastery, one of the great jewels of Catalan Gothic architecture founded in 1416. The goal of the municipal government led by Xavier García Albiol is to integrate this historic site into the city's public heritage and turn it into a thematic and museum center dedicated to the "discovery" of America.The decision has been taken following the news of an attempted purchase by a private company. Currently, this jewel of Catalan Gothic architecture is owned by the heirs of the Güell family. Approximately a year and a half ago, the Badalona City Council already held talks with the owners to try to reach an agreement that would allow the acquisition of the monastery. "Those negotiations did not culminate in an agreement, but the municipal government has maintained since then the will that this monumental complex could become part of Badalona's heritage. The appearance now of a firm buyer and the communication received by the City Council have led the municipal government to take a step forward and initiate the expropriation procedure," the council explains in a statement.