A history of the board of parks and recreation by leland r. The parthenon is a resplendent marble temple built between 447 and 432 b. Why not visit the parthenon, a replica of the one in greece. A brief history of the nashville parthenon share this article. Additional gallery spaces provide a venue for a variety of temporary shows and exhibits. The parthenon is widely considered the high point of doric architecture, though it famously has several ionic elements incorporated in its design, including a continuous sculptural frieze and four ionic columns that support the roof of the opisthodomos. The building also serves as an art museum with a permanent collection of 63 paintings by 19th and 20thcentury american artists. The focus of its permanent collection is a group of 19th and 20thcentury paintings by. This book helps by explaining in detail the history of the sculpted friese around the parthenon the various methope most of which can be found today in the new acropolis museum on the top. The parthenon at athens greece and nashville tennessee 1956 by benjamin franklin wilson iii, director of the parthenon.
It is an experience that you will cherish and want to recreate each time you return to music city. For many years nashville had been known as the athens of the south, and thus it made sense to build a replica of the parthenon of ancient greece and use it as the theme for the exposition. Dinsmoor, eminent architectural historian and author of the architecture of ancient greece, agreed to act as a consulting architect. The parthenon nashville 2020 all you need to know before. Aug 17, 2015 visiting the parthenon in nashville is more than just a historical look at this greek masterpiece. One temple is the queen of heaven athenas parthenon.
Nashville s parthenon was created from brick, stone, structural reinforced concrete, and cast concrete aggregate. There is a fauxvenice in las vegas, and a stonehenge ii in texas. The ongoing work on the parthenon and erechthion is fascinating if somewhat difficult to understand if you are not aware of the history of these buildings. For the most part, a visit to the parthenon museum is a selfguided tour.
But nashville, tennessees fullscale replica of the parthenon, while. Highway 70s from the campus of vanderbilt university. Why is there a fullscale replica of the parthenon in. Its huge 7 ton bronze entrance doors on the east and west sides are the largest of their kind in the world. A typical visitor spends 40 minutes in the parthenon. While visiting nashville with a few friends and family, we stopped at this fullscale replica of the greek parthenon. Parthenon means house of parthenos which was the name given in the 5th century bce to the chamber inside the temple which housed the cult statue. In this post you will find some interesting facts and history of the parthenon in athens the parthenon is surely the most important monument of ancient greece and is one of the most famous in the world. Originally built for the tennessee centennial exposition in 1897, the building became unsafe and was rebuilt in 1929.
Sep 20, 2012 program depicting the origins and history of the parthenon, both in athens, greece and nashville, tennessee produced by metro 3. By a masterstroke of synchronicity, it is patterned like. When nashville offered to build the art pavilion for the fair, the natural choice for the athens of the south was a replica of the parthenon. The recreation of the 42foot statue athena is the focus of the parthenon just as it was in ancient greece.
Donations for the athena accumulated over the years, and in 1982 the park board commissioned nashville sculptor alan lequire to recreate the fortytwofoot statue for the interior, a task that took almost eight years. May 21, 2014 looking for things to do in nashville. Book your tickets online for the parthenon, nashville. Today the parthenon remains one of nashvilles most iconic landmarks. Percy jackson journeys to the parthenon in search of a certain object needed to complete his questmission. The 21stcentury headquarters campus of the hospital corporation of america was developed adjacent to the park cultivated as farmland by some of the earliest families in nashville, the. The parthenon in nashville is the only full size replica in existence. Visit the parthenon on your trip to nashville or united states. The site now serves as the backdrop for nashvilles art museum and the 42foottall statue of athena parthenos designed by alan le quire in 1990. Parthenon publishings content creation services arm now resides under bohan brand. The city of nashville built a fullscale replica of the. It houses the tallest indoor sculpture in the western world, a statue of athena, ancient goddess of wisdom and learning, the deity for whom the original parthenon was erected.
But the one we have today is actually not nashville s first parthenon. It is an impressive fact that nashville, tennessee, my home, is the only city in the world that has reinterpretations of two mythic temples from antiquity. Ewing leads them on an impromptu journey through the parthenon s history right there on the steps. The parthenon is a destination unto itself, but also serves as one of the citys top art installations. Built as a fullscale replica only on the outside, the interior was a series of galleries for the display of paintings and sculptures gathered from around the world for the exposition. The nashville parthenon was constructed in 1897 as part of the centennial exposition, a sixmonth event held to celebrate tennessees 100 years of statehood.
Do you need to book in advance to visit the parthenon. It previously had been a farm purchased in 1783 by john cockrill, the brotherinlaw to james robertson, then became the state fairgrounds after the civil war and from 1884 to 1895 became a racetrack known. Bohan, an independent, fullservice advertising and marketing agency, announced that parthenon publishings content creation services arm will now reside under the bohan brand. Living in a relatively youthful country thats a mere 241 years old, its understandable that some americans might decide to import a little extra history from abroad. A replica of the greek parthenon stands in a park near downtown nashville and i. Johnson this park was the site of the 1897 tennessee centennial exposition. Such buildings span the country, from offbeat roadside attractions to the most expensive and elaborate recreations. The origin of the parthenons name is from the greek word parthenon, which referred to the unmarried womens apartments in a house and in the parthenons case seems to have been used at first only for a particular room of the temple.
It took the city of nashville nearly 10 years to build their parthenon, 19211931. Tennessee is home to the worlds only replica of the parthenon. This is the worlds only fullsize replica of the ancient greek temple. Dedicated to the greek goddess athena, the parthenon. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a. Originally built for tennessees 1897 centennial exposition, this replica of the.
Nashville may have earned the nickname the athens of the south long before its replica of the parthenon was built in 1897, but today this aweinspiring monument of classical greek architecture is one of the citys most popular attractions. Athens, greece isnt the only city with a classical stone temple dedicated to the arts. Nashville native alan lequire needed eight years to complete the m 42 ft tall athena statue. The hermitage travel thru history, nashville, tn duration. History of the nashville parthenon and the tennessee. We hope you will read our detailed timeline of the history of the nashville parthenon. Jul 15, 2016 a brief history of the parthenon the parthenon was largely unchanged until the sixth century a. Nashville had been colloquially known as the athens of the south due primarily to the citys focus on higher education long before the exposition.
The parthenon travel thru history, nashville, tn youtube. Early in the citys history, nashville acquired the nickname athens of the west, because of the emphasis on education. There is a fauxvenice in las vegas, and a stonehenge ii in texas which, like all sequels, is not as good as the first one. One of the best known sermons in the bible was delivered by the apostle paul on mars hill in the very shadow of the ancient parthenon. History of the parthenon in the 19th century, nashville earned the nickname the athens of the south because of the number of colleges and universities located within the city and the surrounding areas. The nashville parthenon houses an american art collection, temporary exhibitions, and is a fullsize replica of the famous ancient parthenon in. Schools wishing to bring larger groups must schedule multiple tours in a single day or tours over multiple days. Made with the same patience, artistic excellence and knowledge about the the then history and cultural expertise, parthenon is a treat to watch. It was the most sacred of monuments, and was famous in antiquity as a greek architectural masterpiece the parthenon is located in the southern area of the acropolis, in the heart of the. The parthenon nashville all you need to know before you. The nashville parthenon 2500 west end ave nashville, tn 37203.
Adding to nashville s image as the athens of the south is the citys replica of the parthenon, built in 1897, as part of the centennial exposition, celebrating tennessees 100 years. The temple itself was known as the mega neos or large temple or alternatively as hekatompedos neos, which referred to the length of the inner cella. Centennial park is a large urban park located approximately two miles three km west of downtown nashville, tennessee, across west end avenue u. In 1893, funds began to be raised for a mighty exposition that would celebrate the 1896 centennial of the state of tennessee. Its unveiling on may 20, 1990, generated excitement and renewal of interest in the nashville parthenon as an icon of the city. Standing as the centerpiece in nashvilles centennial park, the parthenon is a full scale replica of the parthenon in athens, greece. It was constructed as a temporary building as nashvilles contribution to the 1897 tennessee centennial exposition, which also included dozens of other temporary buildings in. Nashville s parthenon contains reproductions of the originals, 24 foot tall and 6. Nashville, tennessee boasts a fullsize replica of the parthenon. Nashville parthenon art museum nashville, tennessee. The original is located on the crest of the acropolis, a hill overlooking athens, greece. The centennial parthenon had been an exterior copy only and not a completely accurate one at that.
Feb 24, 2020 while visiting nashville with a few friends and family, we stopped at this fullscale replica of the greek parthenon. The history of nashville tennessees parthenon 2006 dvd. The statue of athena pallos in the parthenon, nashville, tennessee the original parthenon in athens was created by the architectsictinosandcallicrates, under the direction and watchful eye of the sculptor, phidias, who was also charged with creating the sculptures and reliefs which decorated the building. Today the parthenon, which functions as an art museum, stands as the centerpiece of centennial. The nashville parthenon alternate history of the world. Visitors to the parthenon were instead greeted by a small model of the statue and a donation box. The history of nashville tennessees parthenon 2006 dvd parthenon centennial park on. Parthenon publishing magazines, newsletters, websites. It was constructed as a temporary building as nashville s. The book is written by one of the more recent remodelers of the historic building, which, as may be expected after another century, has had substantial repairs. At almost 42 feet in height, athena parthenos is the tallest indoor sculpture in the western world. The parthenon in athens was carved out of pentelic marble and it took the greeks approximately 10 years to construct the building, 447438 b. The nashville parthenon was a moment in the tradition of southern classical reception, using a classical image to glorify a contemporary process of exclusion.
It is a monument to the creativity and energy of the new south, and also to nashvilles distinction as the athens of the south. Oct 28, 2012 parthenon means house of parthenos which was the name given in the 5th century bce to the chamber inside the temple which housed the cult statue. The parthenon is the only structure preserved from the historic event. History of homes and gardens of tennessee nashville. The nashville parthenon is a fullscale replica of the original parthenon in athens. Hart was engaged as the architect for the reconstruction and william b. The parthenon nashville all you need to know before. It was designed by confederate veteran william crawford smith and built in 1897 as part of the tennessee centennial exposition. To make nashville s parthenon complete, a colossal statue of the goddess athena had to be built inside it.
The parthenon in nashvilles centennial park hachette book group. The worlds only exact size replica of the original parthenon t. The parthenon is located in centennial park, 2600 west end avenue, nashville, tn, 37203. It was built in 1897 as part of the tennessee centennial exposition. Jul 26, 2017 parthenon, nashville, via wikimedia commons. In 1687, during the venetian siege of the acropolis, the defending turks were using the parthenon as a store for gunpowder, which was ignited by the venetian bombardment. Located a little more than 2 miles southwest of downtown nashville in centennial park, the parthenon is open tuesday through saturday from 9 a. Theodore roosevelt coined the phrase good to the last drop after drinking a cup of locally produced coffee in nashville at the maxwell house hotel. In the reception of classical history and images that inspired the 1898 nashville parthenon, there is not room for all people to be equal. Artistic excellence and knowledge about the the then history and cultural expertise, parthenon is a treat to watch. Nashville parks and recreation parks centennial park.
The parthenon in nashvilles centennial park hachette book. The parthenon, a wonder of the world, is a symbol of classical ancient greece. A couple of years ago i was working on an aviation maintenance contract for embraer aviation in nashville, tn. Concrete parthenon nashville, tennessee atlas obscura. The original parthenon at the tennessee centennial exposition. We have brochures with a floor plan that will help you tour the building. The building and the athena statue are both fullscale replicas of the athenian originals. They are thought to be the largest pair of matching bronze doors in the world. Program depicting the origins and history of the parthenon, both in athens, greece and nashville, tennessee produced by metro 3. Chicago turabian author date citation style guide garden study club of nashville, mary brown daniel 1875 moore and roberta seawell. The parthenon the parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of centennial park, nashvilles premier urban park. Only the parthenon remained after the tennessee centennial celebration because of its popularity.
Inside the parthenon, a small museum showcases souvenir spoons from 1897. 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. Why is there a fullscale replica of the parthenon in nashville. Park history from the book, the parks of nashville. The pediment reliefs were created from direct casts of the originals, which are housed in the british museum of art. In addition, a sculpture of athena parthenos inside the parthenon is the tallest indoor sculpture in the western world standing 42 feet high. Dedicated to the greek goddess athena, the parthenon sits high atop a. The worlds only fullscale reproduction of the famous greek temple, nashville s parthenon stands in centennial park and features both the citys art museum and athena parthenos.
The parthenon served as a church until athens was conquered by the ottoman turks in the fifteenth century, when it became a mosque. Parthenon in nashville tennessees centennial exposition. In nashville, tennessee you will find a fullscale replica of the parthenon, which was built by americans in 1897, in honour of the ancient. Background information about the history of the parthenon, gods, heroes, monsters in the sculptures, our travel tips, and children s books, will help kids get the most of out of a visit to the parthenon in athens and british museum in london. Foster creighton history book collection nashville tn. Group tours for ages prek12th grade must be guided by a parthenon staff member or docent leader. The 2nd floor was totally open and included a huge statue of athena. The parthenon in nashville is a fullsize replica of the famous ancient parthenon in athens, greece built in the 5th century bce. The nashville parthenon glorifies ancient greece and the. Yes its an exact replica of the parthenon at greece made. By 1898, most of the building were removed or destroyed. Sep 10, 2012 nashvilles parthenon contains reproductions of the originals, 24 foot tall and 6. And last but certainly not least, we have centennial parks iconic parthenon replica. This is a short book about the cultural centerpiece of white elite nashville this replica of the parthenon at athens, the original constructed during the reign of pericles, and this replica created in nashvilles centennial park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city, and to highlight its intellectual aspirations.
According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience the parthenon. The parthenon in centennial park, in nashville, tennessee, is a fullscale replica of the original parthenon in athens. The site now serves as the backdrop for nashville s art museum and the 42foottall statue of athena parthenos designed by alan le quire in 1990. The parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of centennial park, nashvilles premier urban park. The nashville parthenon is a fullscale replica of the ancient parthenon when it was a pagan temple to athena in the 5th century bce.
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