Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
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Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee |
| DESCRIPTION: | Centennial Park was the site of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. On this site were build large models of the Eiffel Tower, one of the Great Pyramids, and the Parthenon as a tribute to Athens, Greece, Nashville's adopted sister city. The parthenon, the only one of these models still standing today, has been restored over the past few years and is the only scale replica of this Ancient Monument in the world. A tour through the Parthenon is like a walk back in time, as the museum there shows scenes from the 1897 exposition, as well as history of the original Parthenon. The highlights of this tour are definitely the casts of the original pediment sculptures (now in the English Museum in London) and the Colossus of Athena Parthenons, goddess of war and patron goddess of Athens. This statue is the best estimate of what the original statue in Greece looked like, and standing 42 feet, is the largest indoor statue in the western world. It was also designed and constructed by a Vanderbilt graduate! Other attributes of centennial park is the mile long road which is safe from traffic for running or walking. There are also models of a steam locomotive, an air force fighter jet, and a concrete model of the U.S.S. Tennessee. Lake Watuaga, a scenic pond is home to many waterfowl and the gardens behind the Parthenon are pleasant in the Spring. |
| DIRECTIONS: | Take a right into the park from West End Avenue just after you pass Vanderbilt Campus heading west. If you get to McDonalds, you have gone to far and are blind for missing the Parthenon! |
| CAUTIONS: | Although this park is beautiful by day, at night it is often populated by some of Nashville's homeless. Though the park is patrolled very well by Metro Police, it is not the safest place in town late at night. It is a great place to go walk off that "Big Mac Attack" or sit in the sun and study. |
| FOR MORE INFO: | Check out the Nashville Citysearch Information Page and the official Parthenon of Nashville Web Site. |