Nashville Parthenon

The Parthenon in Nashville

The Parthenon in Nashville

The City of Nashville first undertook the construction of a full-scale replica of the Parthenon to house the art exhibition for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Cities, industries and other interest groups built pavilions for the celebration. Nashville's pavilion was constructed of brick, wood and plaster and was intended to reflect the city's reputation as the "Athens of the South."

The celebration lasted from May to October of 1897, just six months. Once the exposition was over, all of the buildings were moved or disassembled except for the Parthenon. Due to popular demand, the city left the temporary structure standing which was replaced by a permanent structure finished in 1931. Today, the Parthenon is the centerpiece of Centennial Park, a city park named for this memorable celebration.

By as early as the 1950's, it had become apparent that cosmetic repairs would soon be necessary for the building's decorative concrete forms and areas most exposed to the weather. However, the need for restoration was not fully addressed until only a few years ago. Fencing and scaffolding were erected around the Parthenon in 1991. This signaled the beginning of the restoration process which will ultimately take at least ten years and over 12 million dollars to complete.

Clickable Plan

Clickable Plan of Nashville Parthenon
1: Pronaos. 2: Naos. 3: Treasury. 4: Peristyle.
(Click the image for a full screen view)

GALLERY

Photographs by Zorba

East facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

East facade of the Parthenon in Nashville

East entrance to the Parthenon in Nashville

Caption from the Parthenon in Nashville

Caption from Athena Parthenos statue

South-east view of the East facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (close)

Full view of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Right view of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Center-right view of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Center view of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Center-left view of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Left view of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

South-east view of the East facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

South-east view of the East facade of the Parthenon in Nashville

South-east corner from the Parthenon in Nashville

East facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (night)

South-east view of the Parthenon in Nashville (night)

South facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

South facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (night)

South metopes from the Parthenon in Nashville

South-west metopes from the Parthenon in Nashville

South-west view of the West facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

South-west view of the West facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (close)

Right view of the West Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Center-right view of the West Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Center-left view of the West Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Left view of the West Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Left view of the West Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

North facade of the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

North facade of the Parthenon in Nashville

North-east metopes from the Parthenon in Nashville

North-east corner from the Parthenon in Nashville

South-east view of the Pronaos of the Parthenon in Nashville

South view of the Pronaos of the Parthenon in Nashville

Front view of Athena Parthenos statue in the Parthenon in Nashville (far)

Front view of Athena Parthenos statue in the Parthenon in Nashville

Base of Athena Parthenos statue

Center of the base of Athena Parthenos statue

Right of the base of Athena Parthenos statue

Left of the base of Athena Parthenos statue

Nike (Victory) in the right hand of Athena Parthenos statue

Nike (Victory) in the right hand of Athena Parthenos statue (front view)

Nike (Victory) in the right hand of Athena Parthenos statue (left view)

Right side of Athena Parthenos statue

Back view of Athena Parthenos statue

Helmet of Athena Parthenos statue

Left side of Athena Parthenos statue with shield

Left hand of Athena Parthenos statue

Bust of Athena Parthenos statue (left view)

Bust of Athena Parthenos statue

Head of Athena Parthenos statue

Face of Athena Parthenos statue

Bust of Athena Parthenos statue (far)

Statues from the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Right view of the Statues from the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Statues from the West Pediment of the Parthenon in Nashville

Tourist Information

The Parthenon also serves as Nashville's art museum. The focus of the Parthenon's permanent collection is a group of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists donated by James M. Cowan. Additional gallery spaces provide a venue for a variety of temporary shows and exhibits.

See also

Source

Location

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