Metropol Parasol

© Fiona Flores Watson
View of the Giralda from the top of the Metropol Parasol © Fiona Flores Watson

Metropol Parasol

Known locally as Las Setas (the Mushrooms), due to its short stems and wide caps, this is the most ambitious, expensive and controversial urban project in Seville since Expo 92. Opened in 2011, and designed by German architect Jurgen Meyer H, it is now one of Seville's architectural icons, along with the Giralda, Torre del Oro, Plaza de España, and the Alamillo bridge.

Metropol Parasol is located in Plaza Encarnacion: it's at the very heart of the city, between the main shopping area to the south and Calle Feria and the Macarena district to the north; Plaza del Duque to the west and Plaza Ponce de Leon and the Alfalfa district to the east.

You can walk along the 250m walkway on top of the Setas - see below for more information.

 

 

Intended as a Guggenheim Bilbao-type landmark, to put Seville on the contemporary architecture map, this extraordinary, flowing structure (known locally as Las Setas, the mushrooms) consists of six huge linked parasols made of waffle-type criss-crossed wooden beams - it is said to be the world's largest timber-framed structure. Metropol Parasol's trademark amorphous shape can be seen reflected in every detail of the development, from the curvy benches to the sinuous flowerbeds. The parasols, which measure 150x70m in total, took six years to build, and cost a reported 123 million euros.

© Michelle Chaplow
The Metropol Parasol, the worlds largest wooden structure.

What can I see and do there?

There is an archaeological museum in the basement, Antiquarium, with Roman and Moorish ruins discovered when area was being excavated to build a car park; a food market, restaurants, bars and other venues on the ground floor; an open-air shaded concert and event space on the first floor; and the walkway, small cinema, events spaces, and shop on the second and third floors.

The walkway is accessed by a lift in the basement, next to Antiquarium.

Before exploring the walkway, you can watch a short film on a wide wrap-around screen called Feeling Sevilla, which shows key cultural features of the city, such as the architecture, tapas and flamenco. Just outside is a waiting area with a seat featuring power points and USB sockets for charging your phone, as well as snack machines (sadly, there is no café).

The walkway offering views of the city from 30 metres up, including a large mirador (viewing area), at the very top of the building. There is free WIFI, and you can download an app called "Setas de Sevilla", which has an audio guide with transcript, offering details about the history and construction; a 3-D model; a route for children; and viewing points with QR codes, where you scan the skyline with your phone, and then see an augmented reality view which explains the monuments that you can see.

At night, a lightshow called Aurora makes the Setas glow with waves of colour.

The shop has some good books on architecture and photography, as well as jewelerry inspired by the Setas by local designers. In addition, you can find the usual various mementos with the Setas iconic design, such as T-shirts, mugs, fans and cardboard models.

OPENING HOURS

Daily 9.30h - 12.30h

ADMISSION

(includes video, and two admissions over 48 hours, so that you can visit both in daytime for the views, and at night to see the lightshow)

You can either book online, or buy tickets at the ticket booth in from of the Setas, or at the ticket office next to the lift entrance.

General entrance: 15 euro 
Children aged 6-14 years, EU students aged 18-25 years: 12 euros
Children aged 5 years and under, and those born or resident in Seville: free.

Contact

Plaza de la Encarnacion s/n

Tel: 954  561 512


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