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Metaxourgio

Metaxourgio got its name from the homonymous former silk factory of the area.

  1. Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )


  2. Ottoman era (1453- 1821)


  3. Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)


  4. Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)


  5. Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)


  6. Classical era (478-323 BC)


  7. Archaic era (800-479 BC)


  8. Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)


  9. Prehistory (-1100 BC)


What I can see

According to maps of the Municipality of Athens, Metaxourgio is a small neighbourhood between Kolokynthous and Thermopylon Streets. Metaxourgio, however, is considered by most people the whole area around Karaiskaki Square. The oldest buildings belong to an idiosyncratic category, that of popular neoclassicism with inner courtyards. The folk character of the area developed after the abandonment of plans to build the palace in today’s Omonia area and with the operation of the silk factory (today’s Municipal Gallery), which attracted many workers and small businesses. From the middle of the 20th century, apartment buildings began to dominate the neighbourhood. Today, Metaxourgio is a neighbourhood that is slowly recovering, after a long period of decline and abandonment, but this does not mean that there is no petty crime. Building murals, many of which are by famous street artists, such as INO, who remains anonymous like Banksy, also contribute towards this upgrade. We see their works in various streets, such as Achilleos, Kolonou and Kolokynthous. “Solon” (INO) stands out in the blind facade of an eclectic building on Achilleos Street. Solon symbolizes the impact of ancient personalities on modern culture. Finally, Iasonos Street is an informal Red Light District of Athens. Sex work in Greece is still on the edge of legality, which proves the lack of political will in terms of ensuring social rights and equality at work.

What I can't see

The Italian artisans of the Poulopoulos hatmaking factory, who founded the first choirs, also lived here. During the interwar period, Metaxourgio became well known for its theatres, whose productions aimed at lower-income citizens, with topics related to current events and their daily lives. Also, here one could find the best draught retsina, the best dairies and taverns, which were frequented by the artists of the theatres. The fame of these theatres is big to this day. The neighbourhood is full of tags of various graffiti writers, who started from the streets of Athens and today, some of them are internationally renowned artists.

Bibliography

Yohalas T., Kafetzaki Τ., (2013), Αθήνα, Ιχνηλατώντας την πόλη με οδηγό την ιστορία και τη λογοτεχνία [Athens, Tracing the city guided by history and literature], ESTIA Bookstore

 

Field observation by scientific editors

 

Makrogianni M., (1995), Ματιές στην Αθήνα που έφυγε, [Glances at Athens that is gone], v.1. Filippoti

 

Filippotis S.G. (2013), Αθηναϊκό Ημερολόγιο, [Athens Diary], Filippoti