The Parthenon & Athena - Nashville, TN
N 36° 08.999 W 086° 48.771
16S E 516835 N 4000600
The Nashville Parthenon was built as the centerpiece of the Nashville Centennial Exposition of 1897. The original full-scale replica was intended as a temporary exhibit structure and was composed of brick, wood and plaster. Local residents loved it so much the building stayed and in 1921 it was reconstructred using permanent materials. Inside the temple is a full scale replica of the Goddess Athena to whom the original temple was dedicated.
Waymark Code: WMCNC
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 05/15/2006
Views: 190
Originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, this replica of the original Parthenon in Athens serves as a monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical architecture. The plaster replicas of the Parthenon Marbles found in the Naos are direct casts of the original sculptures which adorned the pediments of the Athenian Parthenon, dating back to 438 B.C. The originals of these fragments are in the British Museum in London.
The Parthenon is also Nashville's art museum. The 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.
A full scale replica of Athena Parthenos is contained within the Parthenon created by sculptor Alan LeQuire. It was completed in 1990 and came about because local residents believed the temple should house a copy of the statue that was once in the original Parthenon. Nashville's Athena stands 41'10" tall, making her the largest piece of indoor sculpture in the Western World. The statue of Nike in Athena's right hand stands 6'4" tall. There are eleven snakes represented on Athena's breastplate, bracelets and belt. The Athena Parthenos in the ancient Parthenon was considered the greatest achievement of Pheidias, the most acclaimed sculptor of ancient Greece.
Here's a link with great info about the Nashville Parthenon and Statue of Athena:
(
visit link)
Admission:
Adults (ages 18-61) $5.00
Seniors (ages 62 and over) $2.50
Children (4-17) $2.50
Children (under 4) FREE
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Extended Summer Hours (June - August)
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM