Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman Auditorium is a Victorian Gothic concert hall in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, with 2362 seats arranged in wooden church pews. The red brick facade features pointed windows and a central tower, while the interior includes stained glass windows and a raised stage.

Thomas Ryman commissioned the building in 1892 as a tabernacle for revival meetings, which later evolved into an entertainment venue. From 1943 to 1974, it housed the Grand Ole Opry radio show, which spread country music across America.

The venue takes its name from its founder and originally served as a place for religious gatherings before becoming a center for country music. Visitors today still see the original church pews where generations of audiences sat while legendary performers took the stage.

The building sits in the city center and offers several guided tours daily, including access to areas behind the stage. Visitors can also walk through the building on their own and explore exhibits at their own pace.

The wooden pews from the founding era create natural acoustics without electronic amplification that many musicians prefer. Recordings made in the hall often capture instruments sounding fuller and clearer than studios with modern technology.

Location: Nashville

Inception: 1892

Founders: Tom Ryman

Architects: Hugh Cathcart Thompson

Official opening: 1892

Address: 5th Avenue North

Website: https://ryman.com

GPS coordinates: 36.20681,-86.69209

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:15