Stairway to Parnassus Terrace

The Parnassus Terrace, located below the Terrace d’ Luna, references a Greco-Roman mythological place called Mount Parnassus, the home of Apollo and the Muses. The Muses, daughters of Apollo, were believed to inspire creativity by visiting artists while dreaming. Modern variations of statues representing the muses include architecture, engineering, science, mathematics, medicine, industry, and other schoold of intellect and the arts.

The small statues along the concrete wall on this terrace represent the modern arts. The muses at the north stairway reflect the sections of the orchestras – woodwinds, strings, and percussion. The south stairway represents the four seasons – Fall, Summer, Winter and Spring. The southern statues represent theater and architecture. Note the actor with his script and mask and the architect/builder with his plan and calipers.

Photography by Kevin Miyazaki.