Paris is the City of Lights.New York is the City That Never Sleeps, The Big Apple, Gotham.
Here's one for you: Alma, AR - Spinach Capital of the World!
Nashville, TN? Music City.
And what does that bring to mind? Neon lights. Cowboy hats. Hard-luck, Wrangler-clad crooners. Dolly Parton. Hank Williams.
But as someone who lived there for fifteen years - all of them formative - I can tell you Nashville is not defined solely by the music industry, and even that is not just country.
Here are some little known facts:
** Nashville actually has a larger population than Atlanta! (Nashville, 626,144; Atlanta, 537,958)
** Nashville has the world's only full-scale replica of the Parthenon, intended to symbolize the city's commitment to education and its status as the "Athens of the South." Inside stands a 54-foot, gilded statue of Athena. All dimensions and interpretations were taken from ancient molds and texts.
** The Ryman Auditorium (the "Mother Church of Country Music") was first built as a tabernacle.
This was inspired by Lorel Clayton who said, "Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Nashville as you write....I love learning about new cities from storytellers, so entertain me."
That's all for now! More later...Back to my WIP!
Nashville is a beautiful town...and there's a lot of culture, there, too. Went there sometimes when I lived in Birmingham (not too far of a drive.)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I saw the Parthenon there on my family's cross-country trip a few years ago. For a moment, I thought we'd taken a really wrong turn!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a huge country music fan & really wants to visit Nashville one day. Sounds like a wonderful city :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth- I take compliements of Nashville personally, so thank you! I'd say it's worth another trip.
ReplyDeleteAlan- The Parthenon catches a lot of people by surprise. It was built as part of the state's centennial celebration in 1897 (a year late, actually), and was just one of 32 buildings on the site. It is the only one still standing there.
Jemi- There are plenty of festivals and historic landmarks to interest her!
Oooh I love it! This is the unique view of Nashville I was hoping to get. I ADORE the Parthenon replica. It's actually classy, unlike Las Vegas's pyramid. Plus, they've made some improvements--it doesn't have that incredibly steep climb to reach it that the real one does.
ReplyDeleteLorel- It is an impressive building. A stage shell hosts Shakespeare In the Park performances in the summertime, and many wonderful artisan festivals spread across the grounds throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteI do hope to make it to the Acropolis someday! A new museum is open there.
Michele
I never knew there was a replica for the Parthenon.
ReplyDeleteCooool. That gives me a reason to visit Nashville.