Tag: metropol parasol

Lupi

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[José Manuel & Lupi]

It’s not every morning you pass a guy in the street with a hooded raptor perched on his arm (to be honest, it had never happened before today). And so of course I had to stop and ask him what he was doing there with such a splendid bird. Turns out they were both working! They were standing just below the Metropol Parasol (aka The Mushrooms) and apparently José Manuel lets the beautiful Lupi loose on a regular basis to swoop around the Parasols and return to her perch, thereby keeping pigeons from roosting. Amazing! When you think about it, the Parasols would make a great pigeon hang-out and yet there are never any there. Thanks to Lupi and José Manuel.

It was only afterwards that I realised I had more questions. Are there several pigeon prevention teams that work on shifts, or are a few hours a day with a hawk shadow passing over the structure enough to keep pigeons away? Does Lupi also hunt and kill or just maintain a menacing presence? And who the hell thought this up? I think it’s brilliant. Clearly the entrepreneurial spirit in Sevilla is not dead!

100 Semana Santa Photos…

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…that you should see. That’s what the poster says.

And I’ve been walking by it almost daily, telling myself that I really ought to go in and have a look, because I love both old photos and Semana Santa. As usual I left it until almost too late (the exhibit closes on April 8th, Easter Sunday) and so popped in this morning after doing a few errands.

[note: exhibit has been extended to 29th April]

And the poster is right – you really should see these photos.

The oldest, taken on calle Feria, was c.1885 and they go up to almost present day. For me it’s entrancing to look at the people and familiar streets – some places haven’t changed that much – and imagine myself walking there now.

I also liked the “photo boxes” lit from within that were placed around the room on the floor. You can see them in the collage here along with a list of the photographers. The reflection of the blue lights played havoc with my photos, but they are really just to entice you over and see them for yourself.

The exhibit is being held inside the Antequarium, beneath the Metropol Parasols (aka The Mushrooms) in Plaza Encarnación, so it was also a good opportunity to visit the Antequarium again, which I hadn’t seen since it first opened a year ago. At that time it was still unfinished and now it’s looking much more impressive.

Semana Santa en Sevilla
100 Fotografías Que Deberías Conocer
23rd February – 8th April 29th April 2012
10.00 – 19.30 Tuesday – Saturday /10.00 – 13.30 Sundays and holidays

[click on images to enlarge]

360º Setas

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[click on image to enlarge]

This morning I took another trip up to the top of the Metropol Parasol to try out my new iPhone app that allows me to take 360º photos… I think I need more practice but this was the best of the few I tried out.

I also saw that they have finally put up info boards that explain what you are looking at from the main outlook points. They also now have pay-per-view telescopes that warn you not to look directly into the sun (duh).

A tip – do try to get there just after opening time (10 am) as it is lovely and cool and there is nobody else around.

Mirador

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[click on image to enlarge]

The brand new Espacio Metropol Parasol, known locally, for obvious reasons, as the “Setas” (Mushrooms), rears its head like some giant, modernistic sculpture above the Plaza de la Encarnación, in almost the exact centre of the Casco Antiguo, where its futuristic latticework construction and fluid, curved appearance are in marked contrast to its surroundings. Like a lot of people, at first I wasn’t sure if I loved it or loathed it, but now it feels like it belongs and it’s well worth a visit for a number of reasons, apart from simply gawping.

Underneath the structure is the Antiquarium, where you can view the Roman ruins uncovered when work on the site began. At ground level is the Encarnación Market, above which is a plaza in the shade of the parasols. I think the space is rather bare, and prefer the shade of the big trees on the other side of the square, but perhaps too much clutter would interfere with its intended use for concerts and other events. You can also take the lift up to the mirador/walkway at the top of the parasols, which opened last Wednesday, and enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the city below. A circular restaurant where you will be able to enjoy the view over a meal and a drink is due to open soon.

I went up to the top of the parasol on Friday and have to say I enjoyed the curviness of the structure as much as the fabulous views. I could also see my cat in the upstairs window of my rooftop terrace, which felt… odd. Can’t wait to go up at night.

Opening hours: 10am – 2pm / 5.30 – 10pm
Cost: 2 euros for non-residents

 

Metropol Parasol

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Undecided…

This past Sunday was the official opening of the Metropol Parasol – aka Las Setas (wild mushrooms). I stayed away from the celebrations but snapped this pic of it yesterday once everything was back to the usual work-a-day crowds. While it was going up, which took years, I hated the damn thing as much as everyone else seemed to and couldn’t imagine how such a monstrosity would “fit” into such a beautiful old city as Sevilla. Though it’s actually sitting in the middle of the Encarnación Plaza, which had its heart and soul cut out of it during a fit of sixties “rebuilding” which destroyed palaces and old houses and left a strip of hideous office buildings and storefronts. But I digress…

The Setas (how can you not call them that?) are on the original site of the Encarnación Market which was levelled and moved to a “temporary” site next door … about 35 years ago. I don’t know the whole story there other than the original site was pretty much a parking lot when I first moved to Sevilla in 1993, then they started digging it up and discovered ruins that held up any building for several years. And then they started constructing The Setas.

The market was shifted over just before Christmas last year and although the building is now officially “open” there’s still some construction going on. When the scaffolding first started coming down, unveiling the first seta (in the foreground of the photo) I was startled to find myself liking how elegant it looked, swooping up towards the sky. But as more of the structure became visible I became less entranced. So I remain undecided. I guess the real test will be how well the site ends up being used. Aside from the market there will be bars and restaurants (coming soon!), and there’s a big shaded area up on the first level which has a small playground for children, benches for adults, and will apparently be used for concerts. There is also a walkway along top of the structure with panoramic views of the city which residents of Sevilla will be able to access free of charge. Anyhow, for better or worse, there it is.

What do you think?