Art Review: Nashville Parthenon Brings Temple Ruins to Life

Greetings from Nashville, mostly known today as Music City, but its other sobriquet — the Athens of the South — suits it as well, and has for far longer. From its earliest days, Nashville was a college and university town. Its capitol is a Greek Revival pile inspired by a monument in Athens — the Greek Athens — honoring Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, ritual madness, and theater. Now, that’s truly politically correct.

Nashville was first called “the Athens of the West” in the 1820s, when Tennessee was still on the edge of the country. Oh, and the Parthenon’s here. In the heart of the city’s Centennial Park is a 1:1 scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens. It’s the only replica in the world, and the only Parthenon with air-conditioning. It’s an art museum, history museum, and not to be missed.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

Greetings from Nashville, mostly known today as Music City, but its other sobriquet — the Athens of the South — suits it as well, and has for far longer. From its earliest days, Nashville was a college and university town. Its capitol is a Greek Revival pile inspired by a monument in Athens — the Greek Athens — honoring Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, ritual madness, and theater. Now, that’s truly politically correct.

Nashville was first called “the Athens of the West” in the 1820s, when Tennessee was still on the edge of the country. Oh, and the Parthenon’s here. In the heart of the city’s Centennial Park is a 1:1 scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens. It’s the only replica in the world, and the only Parthenon with air-conditioning. It’s an art museum, history museum, and not to be missed.