Metropol Parasol (Setas de Sevilla)

Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville), initially titled Metropol Parasol, is a large, predominantly wooden structure in the La Encarnacion square in La Macarena district. It accomodates a traditional market, restaurants, a performance square, archaeological museum and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the old city. 

It was designed by architect Jurgen Mayer and completed in 2011. It's roughly 150 by 70 metres with an approximate height of 26 metres.  It consists of six parasols loosely resembling large mushrooms, inspired by the vaults of the Cathedral of Seville and the ficus trees in the nearby Plaza de Cristo de Burgos. The structure is constructed of 3,500 meters of micro-laminated Finnish pine and it's the world's largest wooden structure. Since opening, it has become Seville's third-most visited urban landmark.

It was impossible to get a picture of the whole structure so I had to accept that I could only photograph sections of it. Being in its vicinity is magnificent.

We spent quite a lot of time around the square that surrounds the structure - we loved it here. At first we wandered around the north side of the square, had two meals here as well as pre-dinner drinks one early evening.

Always a lot of people around here, drinking, eating, or just wandering around.

The structure was beautifully lit up at night, and the colours of the lights kept changing.

The performance area was always busy at night, and one evening, someone was taken away on a stretcher, but she could not have been seriously ill, as she was looking at her phone while they were taking her away.

The best performance was the evening when a very popular group peformed. I could hear them during the evening meal, and, when, after the meal I went near the stage, it was incredible.

When they started performing Bella Ciao, the Italian resistance song, everyone started clapping, singing along, and a lot of people got up and started dancing to this 

I will always remember this.

The south part of the square was the most vibrant, this is where the performance area is, but also, the busiest restaurants and bars. We really enjoyed sitting here, having a drink, or a meal, looking at the Parasol and just enjoying the whole atmosphere

We also bought tickets to explore the rooftop terrace

paths that wind round the structure so that visitors can explore

At times you could see both the structure and the views of the city

you can see how it winds all around

The whole structure is just amazing

In the distance, the bridge we got a glimpse of as our taxi was taking us to our hotel, but which we did not manage to visit - another time

I am sure this is the baloon I saw at the CAAC so it must be there more or less permanently

Torre Sevilla in Triana in the distance  

And there are the paths of the Metropol that look as if they are winding round the city

We kept going round

the sqaure round the Metropol

and one of one of the 'mushrooms' towering in front of us

another good view of parts of the Metropol and the city.

That evening, we were back.

Triana, Seville.

We visited the district of Triana twice. The first time in order to explore the district, and the second on our way to the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo in the former Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas, which later became a pottery factory. The district is situated on the west bank of the Guadalquivir River. The area has a strong traditional pottery and tile industry, a vibrant flamenco culture and its own festivals and has played an important role in the development of Sevilian culture and tradition.

View of the district

from the Puente Cristo de la Expiracion bridge.

It's a large bridge

with traffic lanes and well as one for pedestrians

we stopped to look at the view

and then started walking along this avenue.

Shops, bars, restaurants

as well as courtyards

and churches.

Mixed architecture.

We turned left into Calle Betis, the street which runs along the waterfront, offers a panoramic view of Seville and has many of the city's most popular restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

We could see the Golden Tower from here, and thought about how lovely it would be to sit here on the terrace of this restaurant at night.

All the restaurants looked appealing.

We could see the next bridge

which was next to a busy roundabout. 

We crossed over and went to have a look at the Golden Tower.

The next day we visited Triana again. This time we crossed a bridge that was fairly quiet with hardly any traffic

Our destination: CAAC, the Centro Andaluz de Arte Conteporaneo in the former Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas

which was also a ceramics factory.

We spent a considerable time at the CAAC and then decided to take a walk by the river

Torre Triana on our right, one of the largest administrative buildings of the Regional Government of Andalusia.

This glass tower with a lift on the side intrigued us, but we did not manage to find out what it is

A very pleasant walk

We walked through the park on the side of the river

Torre Sevilla, a 40-storey tower that dominates over the Guadalquivir river and the whole area.  The Eurostars five-star hotel occupies the top 12 storeys, and the remaining flors are used as commercial office and retail space.

We crossed the bridge we had crossed the previous day

had a look at the view

and arrived at Plaza De Armas where there had been a traffic accident between a bus and a car.