The Parthenon

Overview

Nashville's Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original Athenian temple, initially built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition and reconstructed in concrete in 1931. Standing in Centennial Park, it houses a 42-foot gilded statue of Athena—the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.

Highlights

• Athena Parthenos: The colossal gilded statue by sculptor Alan LeQuire, completed in 1990, dominates the interior naos.
• Art gallery: The upper floors house the Cowan Collection of American paintings from the 1860s–1960s.
• Exterior columns: 46 Doric columns replicated to original Athenian proportions.

History

Nashville earned its nickname "Athens of the South" in the 1850s thanks to its many colleges. The plaster Parthenon built for the 1897 Centennial proved so popular that the city rebuilt it permanently in reinforced concrete between 1920 and 1931.

Visitor Tips

• Best photos: Late afternoon light on the west façade is stunning.
• Closed Mondays.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.