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Minerva

Italian, ca. 1853
Original location: On the parapet of the house
Location of original statue: storage

While the theme of Minerva, goddess of war and wisdom was a common theme in classical art the inspiration for this particular statue is unknown. Fragments of the Belmont statue was found in the fill ruble under Freeman Hall [North Front] at the beginning of renovations in 1984. The head and the extended or right arm were not found. This recreation is based on other surviving statues of Minerva. It is unclear if the original statue contained a scroll in the extended hand as the goddess of wisdom or a spear as the goddess of war.

It is known from descriptions that Minerva was originally located on the parapet of the house. The placing of urns or statuary on parapets of houses was an element of Palladian architecture. Belmont was conceived as an Italian villa in the style of the sixteenth century architect Andre Palladio.

GPS ADDRESS

Belmont Blvd & Acklen Avenue 

Nashville, TN 37212

MAILING ADDRESS

1900 Belmont Blvd

Nashville, TN 37212

615-460-5459

Elopement Packages

Intimate and elegant elopement ceremonies are popular at Belmont Mansion! Affordable Nashville Elopements start here!

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Photos by Ed Houk

The architecture of Belmont Mansion makes it one of the most significant homes of 19th century Tennessee.

Sold by the Acklen family in 1887, the house went to a developer who began one of Nashville’s early suburbs.

It was then purchased by two women who in 1890 started a college which evolved into Belmont University. Today the Belmont Mansion Association, which was formed in 1972, owns the collection, runs the museum, and shares this unique story of 19th century Nashville with visitors from far and near.

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About the Mansion

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