La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
The structure on Plaza de la Encarnación was inaugurated in 2011 just before we moved to Seville as the Metropol Parasol but it soon became known as Las Setas (The Mushrooms) because that’s what locals thought it looked like. I thought the structure was a perfect reflection of the huge old ficus trees on the plaza and it turns out that was one of the intentions. Then it was discovered the German architect, Jürgen Mayer, registered the rights to the name Metropol Parasol and would charge for its use. Kind of rude if you ask me. (I wonder if there’s more to that story.) So, the city officially registered the name as Las Setas.
How The Mushrooms Grew: In the midst of construction of underground parking and a new public market, ruins dating back to the first century were discovered and, instead of a parking garage, an underground museum was created with a beautiful new public market at ground level and this flowing wooden structure up above offering sweeping views of the city. Both the museum and Las Setas used to be inexpensive to visit separately. The museum (more to come on that) is run by the city. It’s astounding and tickets are still cheap (€2) and free for residents of Sevilla. Las Setas, however, are privately run. Including two seniors and a student discount, the four of us paid €51 simply to ride the elevator to the top and walk around. To annoy me a bit more, there was an interesting gift shop up top but whoever was running it had left (for lunch? a phone call? the toilet?… no one knew) and so we couldn’t shop. Yes, it’s a fun walk, but I think I’ll stay below next time and devote my attention to the museum.
Yesterday was mostly a pits of a day. I went back to bed after breakfast. SG and I went to Mesón Salvador for lunch. But I went back to bed when we got home. I did manage to find some energy in the evening. I went out on the terrace to visit the desert rose and discovered the first flower had opened. It still looks stunning this morning. Moose took Dudo’s spot on the sofa last night. The little shit. Dudo was not pleased. He took it back during the night and held on this morning while Moose pouted on the floor. So far today, I’m feeling slightly human. I just touched every piece of wood in the house (well, almost).
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La estructura de la Plaza de la Encarnación se inauguró en 2011 justo antes de que nos mudáramos a Sevilla como Metropol Parasol, pero pronto se hizo conocida como Las Setas (Las Setas) porque así pensaban los lugareños. Pensé que la estructura era un reflejo perfecto de los enormes ficus viejos de la plaza y resulta que esa era una de las intenciones. Luego se descubrió que el arquitecto alemán Jürgen Mayer registró los derechos del nombre Metropol Parasol y cobraría por su uso. Un poco grosero si me preguntas. (Me pregunto si hay más en esa historia). Entonces, la ciudad registró oficialmente el nombre como Las Setas.
Cómo crecieron las setas: En medio de la construcción de un estacionamiento subterráneo y un nuevo mercado público, se descubrieron ruinas que datan del primer siglo y, en lugar de un estacionamiento, se creó un museo subterráneo con un nuevo y hermoso mercado público a nivel del suelo. y esta estructura de madera que fluye en lo alto ofrece vistas panorámicas de la ciudad. Tanto el museo como Las Setas solían ser económicos para visitar por separado. El museo (más por venir) está a cargo de la ciudad. Es asombroso y las entradas siguen siendo baratas (2€) y gratuitas para los residentes de Sevilla. Las Setas, sin embargo, son de gestión privada. Incluyendo dos personas mayores y un descuento para estudiantes, los cuatro pagamos 51 € simplemente para subir al ascensor hasta la cima y caminar. Para molestarme un poco más, había una tienda de regalos interesante arriba, pero quienquiera que la dirigiera se había ido (¿para almorzar? ¿una llamada telefónica? ¿al baño?… nadie lo sabía) así que no pudimos comprar. Sí, es un paseo divertido, pero creo que me quedaré abajo la próxima vez y dedicaré mi atención al museo.
Ayer fue principalmente un hoyo de un día. Volví a la cama después del desayuno. SG y yo fuimos a almorzar al Mesón Salvador. Pero volví a la cama cuando llegamos a casa. Me las arreglé para encontrar algo de energía en la noche. Salí a la terraza a visitar la rosa del desierto y descubrí que se había abierto la primera flor. Todavía se ve impresionante esta mañana. Moose ocupó el lugar de Dudo en el sofá anoche. La pequeña mierda. Dudo no estaba contento. Lo recuperó durante la noche y lo mantuvo esta mañana mientras Moose hacía pucheros en el suelo. Esta mañana, hasta ahora, me siento un poco humano. He tocado todas las piezas de madera de la casa (bueno, casi).
• Hasta donde llegó San Geraldo en 2011.
• Hasta donde llegó SG en 2023. Avances.
• Moose a medianoche. Dudo se sentó majestuosamente en el suelo — mirando con incredulidad.
• Dudo a las 8.
• Moose busca simpatía.
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I thought this was going to be about food shopping. But the architecture is definitely interesting, kind of like a squished roller coaster.
Frank,
Great comparison!
That is a fabulous piece of architecture. Love it.
Bob,
I do, too.
After seeing that I noticed a friend had posted a close-up of the underside of a mushroom on Facebook and it looked exactly like that building!
Is it correct to infer that SG does not like heights?
David,
That would be an understatement.
Las Setas looks very inviting……great vantage point I assume.
I am wondering if the Desert Rose could cope in our climate…..inside of course. Very pretty plant/blossom.
Jim,
It’s fun to be up there. Large vistas, although not as exciting as one might expect up there.
Jim,
Forgot to mention. Desert Rose apparently makes a good houseplant… and indoor and out in your climate. I’ve only had them in the ground and here on our terrace.
They DO look like mushrooms! I’d be pissed off about the closed gift shop too.
Debra,
I was already annoyed about the rip-off price, so the gift shop and the indifference really did me in. They even made you stop along the way for a photo that you could then buy at the end. Our own selfies were better than what they were selling.
I shudder to think what are the consequences of a pissed-off pussycat.
Urspo,
They destroy each other but just give US dirty looks.
What fascinating architecture! I’m glad SG did better this visit. In my own fear-of-heights opinion, it appears to be a safe, stable walkway. I think I could do that.
Kelly,
It’s very stable. SG just hates open views like that. I was amazed how far he got this time.
The Rock Rose is lovely! So are the “bickering boys”.
That oversized twisted waffle in the midst of all that glorious historic architecture, on the other hand… Not my idea of “attractive”. Nor, more importantly, “appropriate”. I could cheerfully strangle most modern “architects”. Jx
Jon,
The desert rose is so far in its glory… as are the cats. I love the mix of the old and the new, and do love Las Setas.
That is interesting, we did visit this plaza a few years ago, I did not know there was an elevator to the top. It is beautiful structure and enjoyed walking around it. Seville is a very nice city.
Laurent,
It’s worth it to me to go to the top once. Did you visit the market below?
At today’s exchange rate, a $3 CAD museum entry fee is a bargain, but charging $75 for three people to walk on a fancy bridge is outrageous!
Nice to see Dudo & Moose being their feisty selves, but methinks Moose may be cruising for another hole in his fur, LOL!
Tundra Bunny,
I don’t mind paying a lot for fun tourist experiences but they should offer much more for the ridiculous prices they charge. The museum is a gift. Dudo and Moose were sharing yesterday and this morning. We’ll see how long that lasts. (They’re still having territorial squabbles over their places on the kitty condo in SG’s office.)
I came for the mushrooms and stayed for the pussies. Wow, that sounds filthy!
Deedles,
I suppose it’s better than coming for the pussies and ending up with spores.
How do you continue to make your daily routines so interesting and entertaining? I live vicariously through you. Yours is the post work life I dream of.
Sassybear,
Retiring young and to a new country made it feel like starting again as opposed to retiring. I love this life.
So glad you got a flower out of the desert rose! Hasn’t it typically dropped all its buds in the past? Or was that your hibiscus?
Las Setas is pretty impressive. I think I’d pay to go up there. It didn’t exist when I went to Sevilla back in the early ’90s.
Steve:
The desert rose has given me blooms once before, but never at the level of this year. And, yes, the hibiscus dropped their buds all the time (except for the two most common flower types). It’s the bugs, and the hibiscus required too much of the bad stuff to keep the bugs away. The desert roses are on a table and are much smaller. Even with my weekly systemic bug attacks, there were bugs all over the plant today!