Posted in Nashville
April 04, 2017
Most People Don’t Know There’s A Little Parthenon In Nashville
If you’ve ever been to Nashville, then you probably heard about the prominent Parthenon structure that dominates our west side of town. It has become normal to Nashvillians, simply a part of the landscape as we hold Shakespeare in the Park and music festivals at its feet. Care to hear the whole story?
Centennial Park serves as a watering hole of sorts for the folks of Nashville. Its gorgeous expanse is rife with stunning foliage, a running trail and community center. There are multiple festivals held here on an annual basis as well, making it a popular place to visit throughout the year.
The Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee was built in 1897 as a part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. It has stood in its place ever since, a beautiful nod to the original in Athens. It stands at 1/12 of the original scale, a building known as the pinnacle of Classical architecture.
It now serves as an art museum in the middle of Centennial Park. The lawn in front is a popular place for tourists and locals alike, perfect for a pick-up game of frisbee or a picnic.
You can visit the art museum inside for a slight fee, although you can sit on the steps and walk around the structure for free. It's whats inside that makes for a neat story, though. There's room for multiple temporary exhibits as well as a permanent collection by artist James M. Cowan.
Athena stands regally within the main hall. She has a height of 41 feet and 10 inches, making her the largest indoor statue in the western hemisphere. Pretty insane, hey? She's gilded in gold, and stands in scale to the original statue in Greece, as well.
The Goddess of Wisdom has never looked so good - especially outside of Greece. The gold plating on the statue is the width of tissue paper and weights in at 8.5 pounds, although the original statue supposedly hit 1,500 pounds.
Visit this magnificent structure at 2500 West End Avenue, Nashville. Have so much fun!
Pretty neat, hey? Check out these awesome Nashville restaurants after you explore – they’re pretty dang good!
