Why did Tennessee keep the Parthenon?

But the one we have today is actually not Nashville's first parthenon; the original Nashville Parthenon was built and stood at the center of Tennessee's Centennial Exposition in 1897. Due to its popularity among fair-goers, organizers decided to actually keep it up after the exposition closed at the end of 1897.

Why does Tennessee have a Parthenon?

Originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, this replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece serves as a monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical architecture.

Why did Nashville build the Parthenon?

The construction of the Parthenon was to affirm Nashville's reputation as the “Athens of the South.” The new Parthenon was built in Centennial Park — the grounds of the Centennial Exposition. Deservedly so, the incredible monument became one of the most admired buildings in the area.

Why is Athena in the Parthenon in Nashville?

When Nashville hosted Tennessee's Centennial Exposition in 1897, the city wanted to remind everyone of its "Athens" claim, so it built a temporary full-size replica Parthenon (The original is in Athens).

What's inside the Parthenon in Tennessee?

The Parthenon galleries display a collection of 63 Impressionist oils on canvas paintings dating from 1765 to 1923 produced by a variety of American artists. While the primary focus of the collection is landscapes, there are also four seascapes and eight portraits. These pieces formed just a portion of James M.

The Parthenon - Travel Thru History, Nashville, TN

What is the purpose of the Parthenon?

The purpose of the Parthenon has changed over its 2,500-year history, beginning as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”). Some scholars, however, question the building's religious function, partly because no altar from the 5th century BCE has been found.

Why is the Parthenon so important?

Why is the Parthenon important, special and famous? The Parthenon is so special because first of all is the symbol of Athens democracy. It was built after the victory on the Persians who occupied Athens in 480 BC. It was built to celebrate the victory and Athens political, economic and cultural superiority.

Why is Nashville The Athens of the South?

While Nashville acquired its nickname as the "Athens of the South" PRIMARILY because of its dedication to higher education, it was perpetuated in a few other ways—from the building of the Greek-Revival-styled State Capitol to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, which brought about Nashville's iconic Parthenon building ...

How accurate is the Parthenon in Nashville?

Nashville Tennessee is home to the most accurate replica of the Parthenon. Despite the accuracy of parts of it however, anyone who has seen the real Parthenon in Athens will understand that without its surrounding context, it can never even come close to recreating the experience.

Who owns the Parthenon in Nashville?

Operated by the Nashville Parks system, it serves as the city's art museum, housing the Athena Parthenos statue, the plaster replicas of the Parthenon Marbles, as well as the Cowan Collection and other temporary exhibits. It is also a premier venue for events. 3.

What is the glowing pyramid in Nashville?

Adventure Tower is more than 75 feet tall, with an observation deck and breathtaking views of the city. Enjoy hands-on, educational science activities exploring Earth Science, Creativity and Innovation, Sound and Light, Air and Space, Health, and Energy—all designed to ignite your curiosity and bring science to life!

Is Athena statue in Nashville made of gold?

Like the Parthenon in Centennial Park, LeQuire's Athena was a full-scale replica of the original, created by 5th-century sculptor Pheidias. Made of gold and ivory, the original was lost in 336 A.D. when it was moved from Athens.

What is the Parthenon in Nashville made of?

The Nashville Parthenon was created from brick, stone, structural reinforced concrete, and cast concrete aggregate. It took the City of Nashville nearly 10 years to build their Parthenon, 1921-1931.

How much did it cost to build the Parthenon in Nashville?

2. The permanent Nashville Parthenon was built on the foundation of the temporary one at a cost of about $1 million between 1920-1931. The most recent Parthenon restoration took place between 1991 and 2001 at a cost of more than $12 million.

Who destroyed the Parthenon?

On 26 September 1687, an Ottoman ammunition dump inside the building was ignited by Venetian bombardment during a siege of the Acropolis. The resulting explosion severely damaged the Parthenon and its sculptures.

What are the nicknames for Nashville?

What is left of the Parthenon?

A shrine within the Parthenon housed an extraordinary statue of Athena, known as Athena Parthenos, which was sculpted by Phidias. The statue no longer exists but is thought to have stood 12 meters high (39 feet).

Who paid for the Parthenon?

Made from 20 thousand tons of marble quarried from nearby Mount Pentelicus, the huge cost of the building was partly financed from the treasury of the Delian League, which caused great resentment among many of Athens' allies, who were to be the source of many future troubles...

What are 5 facts about the the Parthenon?

Is the Parthenon one of the 7 Wonders?

New 7 Wonders Finalist

The Athens Acropolis is home to many important archaeological sites. The most famous is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.

Does the Parthenon still stand today?

The Parthenon today

The Parthenon, along with the other buildings on the Acropolis, is now one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece. The Greek Ministry of Culture, with funding for the Olympic Games in 2004 and funding from UNESCO, has inaugurated a massive restoration project, still in progress.

When did the Parthenon explode?

On 26 September 1687 Morosini fired, one round scoring a direct hit on the powder magazine inside the Parthenon. The ensuing explosion caused the cella to collapse, blowing out the central part of the walls and bringing down much of Phidias' frieze.

Is Greece rebuilding the Parthenon?

The Greek Central Archaeological Council (KAS) decided on Wednesday that a part of the Parthenon, now in ruins on the Athens Acropolis, is to be rebuilt using mostly materials which are now lying on the ground.