11-02-2024
In 1897 a replica of the Parthenon was built for the Centennial Exposition. The original build, of plaster, wood and brick, was meant to be temporary and began to erode heavily over time. In 1920 they rebuilt using the same structure covering it in a special cement. The statuary below the roofline are authentic copies from the original Parthenon.
The building uses the same construction illusions developed by the Greeks. This prevents the building from looking like its sagging and the pillars tilting.
Why the Parthenon? In 1820, the city got the nickname “Athens of the South” because of it’s commitment to education and higher learning.
On the lake next to the Parthenon is Bee Island. Home to over 300,000 honey bees. Stretching out from the State Capitol is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall. One side is lined with a granite wall commemorating historical events of Tennessee, including the WWII Memorial. At one end is a courtyard with tall towers which play music (when it’s working) and an amphitheater at the other end.