Metropol Parasol. "The Seville Mushrooms"

“Neither the subway passes nor the Sun stops…”

What is the Metropol Parasol of Seville?

The Metropol Parasolpopularly known as Las Setas de Sevilla, is one of the most impressive architectural projects of the city in the 21st century. Located in the Plaza de la Encarnación, this contemporary viewpoint breaks with the traditional image of Seville and offers a new way of contemplating it.

For the traveler who wants to discover what to see in Seville beyond its classical monumentality, the Metropol Parasol has become an essential visit.

Origins of Metropol Parasol: a transforming project

In the early 2000s, the City Council launched an international competition to revitalize the Plaza de la Encarnación. During the excavations, important Roman and Andalusian remains were uncovered, which made it necessary to integrate an archaeological space into the final design.

The winning project was that of German architect Jürgen Mayerwho proposed an organic wooden structure inspired by the vaults of the Cathedral and the Sevillian building tradition reinterpreted in a contemporary key.

The work was completed in 2011. However, its construction was not without controversy.

The initial controversy: rupture and contrast with historical Seville

From the very beginning, the Metropol Parasol generated an intense citizen debate. On the one hand, many criticized its modern aesthetics and its size, considering that it was out of harmony with the traditional architecture of the historic center. Seville, marked by Mudejar, Baroque and regionalism, was not accustomed to such an avant-garde intervention in the heart of the city center.

In addition, the increased budget and delays in execution fueled the controversy. For years, the structure was seen by part of the population as a risky and overly ambitious project.

However, with the passage of time, the perception changed. Today, Las Setas are part of the urban landscape and symbolize Seville’s ability to evolve without losing its identity.

Precisely this contrast between modernity and tradition is one of its greatest attractions. The undulating wooden silhouette rises next to baroque churches and narrow streets, creating a unique visual dialogue between different centuries.

Architecture and panoramic experience

The Metropol Parasol Sevilla is composed of six large parasols that reach a height of 26 meters. Built with laminated wood and innovative technology, it was considered at the time one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

At the top is a panoramic tour that offers 360-degree views. From there you can see the Cathedral, the white roofs of the historic center and the contemporary urban fabric. Therefore, the visit is not only architectural, but also scenic.

On the lower level, the Antiquarium preserves the archaeological remains found during the construction work, reinforcing the overlapping of periods that defines the complex.

Curiosities of Las Setas de Sevilla

The name “Las Setas” was born as a popular nickname due to its shape.
It integrates market, museum, public square and viewpoint in a single space.
Its night lighting completely transforms your visual perception.
It has gone from being a controversial project to become one of the city’s contemporary icons.