The Parthenon

Nashville called itself the Athens of the South, and for the state's centennial exposition in 1897 it built a full-scale Parthenon in plaster and wood. It was meant to be temporary; it proved too popular to pull down, and between 1920 and 1931 it was rebuilt permanently in concrete on the same footprint. It is the only full-scale reproduction of the building anywhere. Inside stands Alan LeQuire's Athena Parthenos, finished in 1990 and gilded in 2002 - nearly thirteen metres tall, holding a two-metre Nike in her palm, reconstructed from ancient descriptions. The lower level holds an art gallery. Casts of the surviving Elgin marbles line the upper chamber.

What to look for

• A full-scale Parthenon in concrete - rebuilt permanently 1920-1931.
• Athena Parthenos - nearly thirteen metres, gilded in 2002.
• Casts of the marbles - along the upper chamber.
• A park setting - Centennial Park around it.

When to go

Year round; closed some Mondays. An hour and a half.

Good to know

It is a replica and reads as one up close - the concrete is unmistakable. The interior is a single large chamber plus a small gallery. Parking in the park fills at events. It is a short visit.

Nearby

Downtown Nashville is east; Vanderbilt is adjacent.