Metropol Parasol, also called Setas de Sevilla, stands in La Encarnación square in the old quarter of Seville, Spain. The German architect Jürgen Mayer was chosen from 65 submissions in a city-sponsored competition. Arup was the engineer, and Sacyr was the main contractor.
Construction began on June 26, 2005, and finished in April 2011. The initial cost estimate was 50 million euros, and the revised cost was about 100 million euros. The structure measures about 150 by 70 meters and rises roughly 26 meters. It uses about 3,500 cubic meters of micro-laminated Finnish pine and is marketed as the world's largest wooden structure.
Six parasols resemble mushrooms, and they were inspired by the vaults of Seville Cathedral. Level 0 holds an Antiquarium of Roman and Moorish remains found on the site. Level 1 is a market, and the upper levels are panoramic terraces.
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