Parthenon and Centennial Park

Welcome to Centennial Park! As you can see, Nashville takes its nickname—the Athens of the South—both seriously and literally. So why is there a full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon in the middle of Tennessee? The answer goes back to 1897, when Nashville hosted the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, a world’s fair-style celebration marking 100 years of statehood. Hoping to showcase a post–Civil War vision of progress, industry, and education, organizers chose the Parthenon as the exposition’s centerpiece—a tribute to ancient Athens and a symbol of Nashville’s cultural aspirations.

Here's a bit of trivia for you: There are eight colleges and universities within five miles of the park—Vanderbilt, Belmont, Fisk, Tennessee State, American Baptist, Lipscomb, Trevecca Nazarene, and Meharry Medical.

The original Parthenon was temporary, made of plaster and wood, but it struck a lasting chord with locals. That same year, the site hosted one of Nashville’s earliest cinematic attractions: Edison’s Mirage, a 360-degree rotating theater created by showman Henry Roltair. Using synchronized Kinetoscope projections, visitors saw short Edison films like The Kiss (1896)—featuring the first on-screen kiss—and The Corbett–Fitzsimmons Fight (1897), one of the earliest feature-length sports films.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the permanent Parthenon you see today was reconstructed in the same spot. Decades later, it became the dramatic setting for the finale of Robert Altman’s Nashville. In the 1975 film, 24 characters converge at a political rally on the Parthenon steps. Thousands of locals appeared as extras during the August 1974 shoot, lured by 10-cent hot dogs, 5-cent drinks, and free watermelon. The film ends with a shocking act of political violence—set against Nashville’s most classical icon.

More recently, the Parthenon appeared in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010), doubling as the mythical entrance to the Underworld. The park also runs a summer series called “Movies in the Park,” that harkens back to the drive-in movie days, with lawn chairs traded in for cars.

From silent shorts to one of the greatest films in American cinema, the Parthenon remains a movie mecca. Learn more by exploring our other tours: Centennial Park, Woman’s Suffrage, LGBTQ History, Civil Rights, and Athens of the South. Enjoy the many sights and stories of Nashville’s central urban park!

Directions: Continuing on to our final stop, this is another live music venue that has seen its share of superstar performers. Turn RIGHT onto 21st Ave S and stay straight as you cross over West End Ave. Turn RIGHT to stay on 21st Ave S. You’ll pass a few earlier stops like Scarritt Bennett Center and the Belcourt in Hillsboro Village. Stay on this road about 3 miles as it becomes Hillsboro Pike until you pass the Green Hills Mall on your right. The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Pike, will be on your left. Parking is available in front of the building. Check their website for an updated performance schedule.