Before visiting Seville, the first thing that came to my mind when thinking about it was flamenco and its historic and cultural importance in the Andalusia region. I pictured Seville as a landmark for typical Andalusian architecture, a city full of old buildings and old traditions still proudly kept alive by the locals. My expectations and idea of Seville wasn’t completely wrong, but whilst walking in the charming little streets of the historical centre, we came across something completely unexpected that we both weren’t aware of and that blew my mind.
Who Knew About This Urban Landscape?
To start with I couldn’t quite understand exactly what I was staring at, at the beginning it simply looked to me like a giant honeycomb floating in the air. This stunning modern result of great architecture we were lucky enough to see is the famous Metropol Parasol – also known as “Las setas” – named after the typical Spanish mushrooms. In fact, its shape does remind me of big-scale mushrooms too.
I have to admit at first sight it was quite weird to see such structure surrounded by old and less weird, more regular shaped buildings, but the more I looked at it the more I realized that the contrast between the Metropol Parasol and its classic neighborhoods was what I liked the most about it.
I can see how some people might think that a structure with such innovative and unusual architecture like the Metropol Parasol should be located in a different area, perhaps with similar cutting edge buildings surrounding it so as to maintain and preserve the original classic architecture of its current location. In my opinion it’s the result from the mixture between old and new that makes the Metropol Parasol an unique urban landmark, something special to look for whilst in Seville.
Originally the space where the Metropol Parasol now stands was allocated to be an underground carpark of which the construction was interrupted because a collection of Roman remains were found. It was then that the idea of the Parasol was presented and finally realized.
It is fascinating how such a structure – which apparently is the largest wooden one in the world – embraces a bit of everything, from the ruins exposed in the underground museum, to the market area, a space for performances, a restaurant, and also a sky deck from where it’s possible to have a nice glimpse of the city. Also it provides great shade for the hot and sticky summer days when the temperature raises enormously.
I personally see the Metropol Parasol as a great place for locals and visitors to Seville to meet up and socialize which is what squares were typically used for in past times anyway. The Parasol also makes for a great place to organize events for the local community and also to attract the many visitors that every day arrive in Seville.
I particularly enjoyed observing the waffle-looking roof, catching a glimpse of the blue sky and the sunlight coming through it creating nice shadows. The only regret I have is not having seen the Metropol Parasol at dusk, when the light gets particularly nice and everything seems slightly different and charming, I’m pretty sure I would have loved the Parasol even more.
An Array of Past, Present and Future
I congratulate J. MAYER H. Architects for designing and realizing this waffle-looking Parasol which in my view completely fulfills the original idea, its purpose, and gives to Seville something new and fresh to be remembered for.
If you are in Seville and you have time on your side, we strongly recommend that you visit this place, perhaps taking a book with you to read in the shade or to simply walk through the Parasol to enjoy its unique architecture
Do you like the contrast of new and old architecture?
wow this is insane. I kinda love it! I never saw this when I was in Seville, obviously did not explore enough
rebecca recently posted…Little Becky smokes her first Joint In Amsterdam
It was a nice and unexpected find for us too, we stumble on it by chance whilst walking around.
I spent three days exploring the historic center of Seville and it’s hard for me to imagine this futuristic structure plunked down in the middle of all that history. But it does look pretty cool, so I’ll just have to go back and decide if I like it or not in person.
Heather recently posted…Riga, Latvia: First Impressions
I know what you mean Heather, not everybody likes having a modern and completely different structure that contrast with the old architecture, it’s understandable.
I personally loved it, I think it made the Parosol and the surrounding even more beautiful and interesting!
I’m looking forward to know what will be your thoughts when one day you go back and see it.
What a bizarre and unique find! I do like the contrast of it and the old city in the background. Do you know what ended up happening to the Roman remains they found?
Katie recently posted…The quiet beach village of Pemuteran, Bali
The Roman remains are shown in the underground museum of the Metropol Parasol itself which we didn’t visit for lack of time, next time perhaps 🙂
Wow, that is amazing. I would love to visit there. And I think the blending of old and new is great.
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The mix between old and new is awesome in my opinion, even if I can understand how the more traditionalists can see it as something not so nice to look at.
We only were in Seville for one day and while we did walk quite a bit, apparently this is an area that we missed (geesh!). I love the mix of old and new, though I am sure it is always hard to get used to at first.
Emily recently posted…Discovering the walls in Buenos Aires
Shame you missed it Emily! You’re right about getting used to at first, I remember reading that many locals didn’t like the Parasol to start with.
“A giant honeycomb in the air” is such an apt description! Gorgeous architecture though, I like the natural wooden look.
It is a great way to describe it Charlie. We liked it a lot too, so interesting from an architectural perspective.
Awesome architectural photos! I’ve never been to Seville. Really wanna go now. Thanks for the intro, Franca!
memographer recently posted…FIFA World Cup Brazil. Dreams Do Come True!
You are more than welcome, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad I can inspire you to travel to places that you still have to visit 🙂
WOW. That is some pretty freakin’ wild architecture! Thanks for including all of the angles too and not just a photo…loved it =)
Ryan recently posted…Fail Tale: Lost in Rome on Arrival
Thanks Ryan! I had to stop myself from taking too many photos and believe me it was pretty hard considering this structure seems made for being photographed.
when I was in Seville it was raining like crazy so I just quickly saw basics and now I can see how much I missed. I’d love to see this building (structure?), it looks crazy insane and I’m sure I’d love it big time!
kami recently posted…why Yerevan is my new favourite city
I’m sure you’d love it too Kami, it’s an interesting structure indeed to walk through and to photograph. We would have happily stayed longer underneath it to relax and to enjoy the shade.
Impressive architecture! Was it difficult to find it? I can absolutely relate to what you were thinking before visiting Seville – flamenco and its historic and cultural importance in the Andalusia region 🙂 so much like me!
Agness recently posted…Bali’s Temple Hopping On The Cheap In 6 Simple Steps
The Metropol Parasol wasn’t difficult to find at all, it’s actually located in the historical center of Seville, we just didn’t expect to see it especially because we didn’t know about it. 🙂