 |
The Metropol Parasol (Seville)
by garymarsh6
The Metropol Parasol. Seville.
Driving through the streets of Seville we came across a curious massive structure covering the plaza de la Encarnacion which was quirky and visually stunning especially more so at night when it is lit up. It is known locally as 'Las Setas de la Encarnación'. The plaza was in a rather run down ... state and the city council wanted to brighten it up somehow and a competition was arranged to come up with an idea that would enhance the features of the square.
The competition was won by a German architect who submitted his idea of this massive wooden structure that would completely cover the Square, look visually stunning and could be used as a tourist attraction. The estimated cost would be fifty million Euro. Of course as with many structures and due to the delays and other problems the final cost was nearer 100 + million Euros on completion.
Building
Work started on the construction in 2005 but by 2007 they discovered that it was unstable as it had not been tested before using wooden materials. It took five years to construct and during the initial digging for the foundations where they were going to incorporate an underground car park they discovered Roman ruins dating from 30 AD under the Plaza which stopped the work. They decided to incorporate the Roman ruins by building a museum in the basement, have a central raised platform where performances can be held during the day and evening and then a further floor housing bars and a restaurant then the 85 foot high structure rising above the plaza.
The structure consists of 6 parasols all joined together creating a solid undulating effect stretching from one end of the plaza, crossing the road and covering the other half of the plaza with viewing platforms and a walkway across the top. In total it measures 490 feet long by 230 feet wide.
During construction they found that the structure was unstable as it was made of wood slatted together creating a honeycombed effect. After further investigation and research they decided to stick the wooden structure together with a very strong glue which is holding it together. There were uncertainties if the structure would stay together but the glue is a special type of very strong glue. If part of the structure is removed it would make the rest of the structure unstable. The wood is covered with a special polyurethane coating to make it waterproofed.
Entering the building.
To enter the building you have to go down some stairs or via an escalator to enter the admission hall. It is at this basement level that you can see the Roman ruins which are encased in glass with a wooden walkway running through the ruins. The ticket office is here where you buy your tickets to take the lift to the 1st floor central platform and up to the 2nd floor where you come out to the restaurant and bar level. At this point you are standing under the honeycombed structure. The lift is quite a funky lift and feels almost like being in Doctor Whos Tardis. Walking around the restaurant area you come to the walkway where it undulates over the top of the mushroom eventually leading up to the top of the structure. On route to the top you get some fantastic views of the city of Seville.
Being afraid of heights once reaching the top I just froze but once my friends had caught me up and assured me that you could not see down to ground level I walked over to the railings. I caught a glimpse of the ground level just over the railings and felt quite giddy. Just over the railings at the top of the structure is a covered area below so that you cannot see down to ground level. We stayed up there admiring the sprawling panoramic views of the city for about 15 minutes. After taking loads of photos we started our decent going down then up then back to the restaurant level taking the lift back down to the basement.
We then came out of the lift and heard music and singing emanating from the first level platform. We walked up the massive stairway leading to it to find a group of twenty youngsters singing, clapping and being accompanied by guitar. They were performing some kind of non-touch martial arts. They were only youngsters and I imagine the youngest was about 10 years old up to about 30 years old. They seemed to be really enjoying themselves and it drew a small crowed of people to watch them. The atmosphere on this level was really cheerful with the sounds of the music and people just wandering around.
Time for dinner.
We walked around the plaza and found a really nice restaurant which gave views of the mushroom and as night fell the structure was lit up. In the plaza on the opposite side of the road to the entrance there was a concert taking place. Once the sun went down it became chilly and although the plaza had seating outside the restaurants we chose to eat inside with a brilliant view of the mushroom. We were there for about three hours eating and drinking and enjoying the atmosphere. Coming out of the restaurant the concert was still going on and the structure was still open and you could see the people up on the top getting a Birdseye view of the lit up city.
World records.
* It is the worlds biggest wooden structure.
* It is the worlds first structure to be slotted together using glue.
Would I recommend a visit?
Yes I would as it incorporates so many things. Ancient relics and ruins in the basement and the modern practical design of the structure. The views over the city are fantastic. I am pleased we walked there and had a look around. The atmosphere is very relaxed and fun too especially with the music and concerts going on.
Love it or Hate it?
Some people hate the design and some people absolutely love it. I think it is something that is unique to the city like for example the London Eye or in Paris the Eiffel tower. I actually quite liked the Mushroom both from the appearance which is odd and unusual plus I think it adds something to the once dilapidated and run down area. It incorporates new and modern features combined with the ancient and I think the two marry up quite nicely together. It is certainly something that could add to the tourist attractions in the already beautiful city of Seville.
Opening times.
Approximately 10:30 to 0:00 and 01:00 Friday and Saturday.
Entrance cost. Euro 2 to take the lift to the restaurant level although if eating here I understand they will reimburse your entrance fee.
Suitability for people with mobility issues?
There are ramps down to the basement and you are able to take the lift to different levels however it would be extremely challenging to go to the viewing platform as there are many steps to reach the top of it.
Address:
Las Setas de la Encarnación
Plaza de la Encarnacion.
Seville.
Spain.
Read the complete review |
|
|
Old City Walls of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
by Lighthouse66
Dubrovnik is a beautiful city in Croatia, I visited Dubrovnik old town when I was staying in Cavtat, Croatia and we got a water taxi over for the cheap price of what equated to 1400 kuna each which is aroun £15/16 pound, it took around an hour and a half to get over but the ride was so enjoyable it flew by. When we eventually arrived ... into the harbour of Dubrovnik it was packed full of tourists, there was a real 'atmosphere' about the place. There were plenty of markets selling a variety of items and the scenery was just beautiful. Every angle you turn there is something amazing, cathedrals, little restaurants, fountains, and all in the centre of the Dubrovnik City Walls.
We walked over to the tourist information centre which was next to the fountain (the fountain is a big attraction in Dubrovnik) it was modern and very clean. The ladies who worked there were absolutely lovely, they spoke fluent English and gave us details on all of the attraction, at this time we purchased our tickets for the castle walls (one of the best purchases we made in my opinion). It cost us kuna for tickets but I feel the tickets are priceless!
We then set off towards the gate which is completely opposite the information centre and the fountain, there was two guards stood outside the gate which just added to the experience. They checked our tickets and let us through.
I could see people's heads moving along the castle walls and was overwhelmed with excitement, I just wanted to get to the top and see the amazing views, but before we got there we had to climb what felt like 1000 steps that were small and packed with people going up and down!
Regardless of the struggle up the stairs it was 100% worth all the effort, even in the 100 degree heat. The views were unbelievable, like nothing I have experienced before. It was amazing to see everything from that height - you could see for miles and miles.
The heat was unbearable so I would advise taking plenty of water, sun cream and hat! Best experience and made my trip to Dubrovnik one to remember forever, If you're going to Croatia make sure this is on your list 
Read the complete review |
|
|
Gullfoss (Iceland)
by fizzywizzy
The population of Iceland is about 300,000. This remote island in the North Atlantic attracts about double that number in tourists and most of them visit Gullfoss. This magnificent waterfall is one of the sights visited on the famous Golden Circle tour which is offered by most of the tour companies on the island. When you travel outside ... of Reykjavik the majority of vehicles on the road are tour coaches and minibuses so you might understandably expect that these natural attractions are going to be besieged by tourists but, at least when we visited on a freezing Sunday afternoon in April, ours was the only bus at the visitor centre at that time.
While it's possible to hire a car in Iceland, most visitors use organised excursions to see the sights outside the capital. There are all kinds of options and too many to list them all here. Using public transport to get to Gullfoss is not really an option.
Coaches pull in at the purpose built visitor centre, a modern building but one that has been designed to have as little impact as possible on the environment. You'll find a gift shop, a café-restaurant, and some super clean loos.
It's a short walk from the visitor centre to the nearest viewpoint. You're quite high up here so it does get very cold, even in 'summer' and very windy; warm clothes are advisable, especially a hat (I had neglected to bring one and regretted it each time my hood was blown off and my ears were assailed by the bitter winds). Sturdy shoes are also advisable, particularly if you want to get closer to the waterfall because the wooden steps can be wet and slippery.
Gullfoss gets its name because on sunny days the water cascading over the stepped falls looks golden in colour. Actually it's a murky brown colour because the river which is carried over the falls, the Hvita, originates from a glacier and contains a lot of the natural sediments which are thrown up and carried along by a glacier as it rasps along its bed. When we visited, however, the water crashing over the falls was pure white, a torrent of angry water crashing over the cliffs, the spray freezing on the sides of the canyon.
The canyon is 32 metres deep and the water falls down three steps and then plunges dramatically two stages; you get very different views of the way the water drops down as you change viewpoint. From a distance it looks as if the Hvita has vanished; it's not until you move round and position yourself in front of the falls that you see how it drops into the crevice.
We walked about two thirds of the way from the visitor centre to the falls but we didn't feel we had sufficient time to go right to the falls and get back to the coach. On a warmer day I would have done but our progress was hampered by doing battle with the strong winds. If you are particularly keen to get right to the top of the falls (and you can get very close) you should check which tours give you the most time at Gullfoss.
In the first half of the twentieth century the waterfall was jointly owned by Tomas Tomasson and Halldor Halldorsson; they rented it to foreign businessmen who eventually came up with a plan to harness the potential of the falls to generate electricity. There's a popular story that Tomasson's daughter Sigridur was so against the idea that she threatened to throw herself over the falls if it was allowed to happen. The truth is that the foreigners were unable to raise sufficient funds for the project so it was abandoned.
One good thing came out of the whole affair, regardless of whether it was really Sigridur's dramatic threats that thwarted the project; Gullfoss was taken into state ownership and remains the property of the Republic of Iceland and enjoys special protection.
A plaque bearing a profile image of Sigridur Tomasdottir stands at the bottom of the stairs near the visitors' centre.
Most of our group sought sanctuary in the café-restaurant at the visitors' centre. You can get a warming bowl of soup, hot or cold sandwiches, a variety of cakes and other sweet items, fruit and hot and cold drinks. The prices were quite reasonable which I found surprising as I'd have expected to have paid through the nose at this remote location.
Although you can't actually see Gullfoss, the building has been designed to make the most of the views of the surrounding countryside and we found it rather enjoyable to sit with a hot chocolate watching the wind blow a gale outside.
The gift shop is extensive and carries all manner of authentic locally made items such as knitwear and other handcrafted items, as well things like t-shirts, key-rings and other novelty items. You can also pick up hats, scarves and other cold weather gear if you have been persuaded that you don't really come out dressed for the occasion.
If you've booked for the Golden Circle tour then you're going to Gullfoss whether you want to or not. Even if you don't want to walk all the way to the falls I would recommend you try to catch at least two of the viewpoints as the differing aspects are really quite remarkable.
Visiting Gullfoss can be quite exhausting because of the wind but there's also something energising about these magnificent falls that has you coming away feeling invigorated and somehow refreshed. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
Read the complete review |
