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Nashville’s Parthenon

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Nashville's Athena Parthenos

Nashville may be closely associated with country music and live performances but the Music City nickname is a relatively recent association. Up until the 1940s, Nashville was called “Athens of the South” because of all the universities, museums and cultural activities.  Accordingly, the city’s most stunning landmark is a replica of the Athenian Parthenon.  As the focal point for Centennial Park,  a tour of this dramatic building is a Nashville must do.

Originally constructed for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition, the Nashville Parthenon is such an exact replica of the Athenian original that Greek builders came to Nashville to study the structure when they wanted to restore the  ancient Athenian Parthenon.  The towering columns and attention to detail are impressive up close but the show stopper is the  gilded Athena statue.  Looming 41 feet, 10 inches and weighing 12 tons, Athena Parthenos is a jaw-dropping spectacle.  Besides the sheer dimensions and artistry, the most impressive point of the statue is that it was constructed in Nashville by noted sculptor Alan LeQuire from 1982-1990.  The original Nashville Parthenon did not house an Athena statue so the city commissioned it in 1982 and local citizens formed an Athena fund to finance the long and costly process.  Viewing the gleaming Athena Parthenos is as close to Athens, Greece as you can come in the U.S.  Enjoy another Nashville signature experience at the Hermitage Hotel’s Capitol Grille. Serving up Southern classic with a sophisticated twist, don’t miss the braised pork cheeks with corn bread puree or  Gulf snapper .

Photo courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Disclosure: All activities were part of a sponsored press trip.


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