The World's Biggest Parasol

The Spanish city of Sevilla has a new eye-catcher: a giant parasol. The four level high sculpture gives shadow to the entirely redeveloped Plaza de la Encarnacion during hot Summer days. At the same time it’s a true ‘purple cow’, along with the new version of the square. The giant shed provides a roof for bars, restaurants, a farmer market, a square and an archaeological exhumation.

The Metropol Parasol, which was designed by Berlin-based architecture firm J. Mayer H., features a series of interweaving waffle-like panels that architecturally form canopies and walkways. It took five years to build it at a cost of €90 million. That money was well spent — the Metropol Parasol is the world’s largest wooden structure, spanning a total of 12,670 square meters.

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