Scribbler in Seville

Friday photos – or #frifotos – is something I look at with great interest, without ever managing to take part in (story of my life).

But this week’s theme, Curves, was screaming out to be illustrated with some shots of Metropol Parasol, our mushroom-like waffles shades here in Seville which were finally finished last year after endless delays and controversy.

The entire raison d’etre of this structure is curves – sinuous, winding buildings which undulate around a square space lined with rectangular buildings. Designed by German architect Jurgen Mayer-Hermann, Metropol Parasol is the largest wooden structure in the world, at 150m x 20m x 25m. When Sevillanos finally got to see it, they were divided between forward-thinking marvel, bringing their city into the 21st century, and hideous carbuncle with no place in a historic gem like Seville.

Once you climb up to the walkway, it’s hard not to be convinced. It all feels so smooth and flowing; not a hard edge in sight. And the views down those snaky paths… superb. Back down on ground level, even the flowerbeds are rounded.

And just in case you’re left in any doubt as to its curviness, here’s official confirmation – the plaque celebrating its official inauguration. You could almost say it’s a Barbapapa. And you can’t get curvier than that, can you?