The Parthenon in Nashville

Before we left Nashville, we had to squeeze in just a little more sightseeing.  On our way out of town, heading to Hannibal, we stopped at the world's only full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.  It was fabulous!

You really don't expect to see something like this in the Midwest, but Nashville calls itself the "Athens of the South." 

This imposing structure was built in 1897 for the Tennessee Central Exposition.

It faces east, like the Parthenon in Athens, allowing the morning sun to light the interior.

It was originally built of plaster, wood and brick, but was rebuilt with concrete starting in 1920.  It was finally completed in 1931.

There are 46 columns:  17 on each side and 6 at each end.

Surprisingly, the columns all differ in diameter and are spaced slightly different too.

The bronze doors weigh 7.5 tons each.  They are 24 feet high, 7 feet wide and 1 inch thick, making them the largest set of bronze doors in the world.

The Parthenon serves as an art museum and centerpiece of Centennial Park today. 

Unfortunately, it wasn't opened while we were there in the early morning hours.  We  really want to go back to Nashville sometime and visit the inside!

Some year ago our daughter, Dawn, won a trip to Nashville and New Orleans with a stay at the Opryland Hotel.   She was kind enough to take her sister, Gayle, with her.  They had a wonderful time and Gayle said we should visit the interior of the hotel.  However, we didn't feel too inclined to pay $18.00 just to park, so we had to be contented viewing the outside. 

I really appreciated the manger scene they had on display.  It was so nice seeing Christmas celebrated as Christ's birth.

Soon, we were crossing into Missouri, passing the St. Louis arch, and turning north to Hannibal and Thanksgiving dinner.

Last weekend, Hubby and I returned to the Whitehall Mansion (a.k.a The Flagler Museum) in Palm Beach for the lighting of the Christmas Tree in the Grand Hall.  Next week, before we leave for Arizona, I'll share "Christmas at Whitehall."