Behold the Parthenon— in Nashville.  Who knew?  Yes there is a life size replica of the Parthenon built in 1898 for an Exposition and refurbished in the last ten years.  Built to the exact specifications of the original, complete with 90 foot stature inside of…… wait for it—- a solid gold Athena!!

 

 She’s holding Nike in one hand, and her shield in the other. And looking mighty impressive— even has pure white skin and blue eyes. 

Yes that’s Medusa on her shield and also on her breastplate… having another bad hair day.

Now you may well be wondering, how the Parthenon ended up in a field in Centennial Park in Nashville.  Well,  it goes back to the fact that Nashville with its famous University (Vanderbilt) had come to be called the Athens of the South a center for philosophy and learning— hence the building of the Parthenon, hence the 90 foot golden girl within.  If you are wondering where her Owl is, she is wearing them on her earrings and she’s got the Python behind her shield to back her up (symbol of the Python spirit of prophecy). 

Of course the problem with replicas is that they depend on your conception of the original, which is partly in ruins, and in any case doesn’t look like we might think—- here is what the original in Paul’s day probably looked like…. really spectacular and colorful, rather like what was discovered recently about the Sistine Chapel once the grime was removed.

And then there is the difference between a construction made out of limestone and marble (the original), and the Nashville Parthenon out of reinforced concrete… a truly modern medium.   But,  hey,  if you can’t afford to go to Greece and see the original one perched on a hill, you can come to Nashville, visit the Opry, and then go see the Parthenon perched in park.    Only in America!!     But there is one more surprise.   Originally there was not just a Parthenon here….. there was a Pyramid in 1898 as well.

 

So, I’m thinking instead of going to Gatlinburg  Tn.(aka Mountain tacky holiday spot)  you should visit Nashville, and check out what them cats have done down there.  Its amazing.  Then afterwards, go visit Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge  🙂