Seville Explored – Setas de Sevilla

Seville explored – Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville) is yet another post about a stunning architectural masterpiece located in the heart of Seville, Spain. Only this time, it is a rather modern structure. Also known as “Metropol Parasol”, it supposedly is the largest wooden structure in the world. Located at La Encarnación square in the old quarter of Seville, it was designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer and completed in April 2011. For more about the Setas’ history and some more photographs, continue after the jump….

The structure is composed of six large parasol-shaped structures, which are made of interconnected wooden panels and reach a height of almost 30 meters. The panels are arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern, which creates a visually stunning effect and provides shade for the area underneath.

Needless to say that the gigantic wooden mushrooms are a photographers paradise, from down below, and also from the walkways on top. I just loved playing with the textures and the contrasts during daylight, as well as with the colors when the LED light show began at night.

And I could resist the opportunity to hunt for some sunburst, opening the aperture of my Leica SL2-S to f/16. Then I placed the sun just at the edge of the wooden structure above and captured the rays of the sun. Obviously this works also very well when converted to monochrome.

Visitors can access the top of the Setas de Sevilla through an elevator, which takes them to a panoramic platform that offers breathtaking views of the city. The platform also features a restaurant and a bar, where visitors can relax and enjoy the view.

Our tickets allowed us to visit the mushrooms twice, so The Significant Other and I took our first trip to the top just before the start of the blue hour. Unfortunately, a golden sunset did not materialize that day, the sky covered with clouds. Then we had dinner, to return later that night to enjoy the colorful illumination of the structure, with LED lights bathing the Setas in ever changing waves of color.

Visiting the Setas was yet another highlight we enjoyed during our week to Seville. And it was a match made in heaven for me as a photographer, enjoying the low lightcapabilities of my Leica SL2-S and the Vario-Elmarit-SL 1:2.8/24-70 ASPH. Post-processing in Lightroom Classic.

Stay tuned for more post about the beauties of Seville seen trough my traveling lens.

Wish you a great Easter Sunday!

Marcus

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Israel Explored – From Galilee to the Dead Sea

Greece explored – Mycenae

Happy Easter