Dan Brown unveils a Catalonia of mystery in new novel Origin

In his latest novel, Origin (Columna), writer Dan Brown reveals a mysterious Catalonia that mixes prophetic visions, artificial intelligence, religion, technology and points of reference such as the monastery of Montserrat, where an ecumenical council is held, and the Gaudí monuments of Park Güell, La Sagrada Família, and La Pedrera. The latter has a special role in the novel, as it is where one of the main characters, scientist, businessman and futurist Edmond Kirsch, lives on one of the upper floors. The other protagonist of the story is Robert Langdon, he of The Da Vinci Code and the author’s other hit novels. The symbology specialist travels from the United States, first to Bilbao, where he is invited by Kirsch to attend a conference aimed at resolving the great enigma that has accompanied the human species since the beginning of time: where did we come from and where are we headed?

Unexpected events hamper the holding of the conference and bring Langdon to Barcelona to try and resolve the mystery.

Brown understands Spanish and knows the places his characters frequent, with other scenes set in Madrid and Seville. He chose Spain due to “its deep religious roots” combined with the fact that it is also “an innovative country.”