What) The
Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to
the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered
their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the
Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was
completed in 438 BC, although decorations of the Parthenon
continued until 432 BC. It is the most important surviving
building of Classical Greece and is generally considered the
culmination of the development of the Doric order. Its
decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points
of Greek art. The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol
of Ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy and one of the
world's greatest cultural monuments. (1)
Originally
constructed for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, a
full-sized replica of Athens' famous Parthenon resides today
in Nashville's Centennial Park. Its remarkable quality is that
it's made entirely out of concrete. The building also houses a
42-foot recreation of the Parthenon's Athena statue, the
original of which has not survived today. It is a destination
unto itself, but also serves as one of the city's top five art
museums. (2)
Where) 2600 West End Avenue 1-615-862-8431
Why) I have
always wondered why buildings and structures like this one are
not constructed more often. The original Parthenon is
now mostly ruined and conservation/restoration efforts are
proceeding very slowly. Doesn't it make sense to build
an entirely new version and attempt to make it as true to the
original as possible. In this way we can see the
building as it was meant to be. I guess ruins just don't
hold any appeal for me. 
This is the version that they constructed in Nashville. (4)
