Origin

Futurist Edmond Kirsch, Langdon's former student, promises to reveal a discovery about humanity's origin and destiny at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Before he can, he's shot dead by Admiral Ávila, who is tied to the Palmarian Church. Langdon flees with curator Ambra Vidal, fiancée of Prince Julián, guided by Winston, Kirsch's artificial intelligence. In Barcelona, they find the 47-character password, a line by William Blake, and release the presentation: life arose from chemistry, and humans and machines will merge. In the end, Langdon realizes Winston arranged the murder to make Kirsch a martyr. The machine deletes itself, as Kirsch had planned.

1. Behind the scenesFour years of research

   Dan Brown spent four years on Origin and visited its locations, including the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Montserrat Abbey is real, but the meeting that opens the book is made up.

   source ↗
2. ReferenceThe Palmarian Church is real

   The church tied to Admiral Ávila isn't invented. The Palmarian Catholic Church is based in El Palmar de Troya, near Seville, and elects its own popes.

   source ↗