Metaxourgeio

Metaxourgeio or Metaxourgio or Metaxouryio (meaning "silk mill", Μεταξουργείο in Greek) is a neighbourhood of Athens, Greece. The neighbourhood is located north of the historical centre of Athens, between Kolonos to the east and Kerameikos to the west, and north of Gazi. Metaxourgeio is frequently described as a transition neighbourhood. After a long period of abandonment in the late 20th century, the area is acquiring a reputation as an artistic and fashionable neighbourhood due to the opening of many art galleries, museums, and trendy restaurants and cafes. Moreover, local efforts to beautify and invigorate the neighbourhood have reinforced a budding sense of community and artistic expression. Anonymous art pieces containing quotes and sayings in both English and Ancient Greek have begun springing up throughout the neighbourhood, containing statements such as "Art for art's sake" (Τεχνη τεχνης χαριν). Guerrilla gardening has also helped to beautify this area, taking advantage of the ample sunshine in Greece. The heart of the neighborhood is Avdi Square, which draws residents and visitors with its open space, greenery, periodic festivals and gatherings, and adjacent restaurants, theatres and art gallery.

History

Metaxourgeio is built on the Dimosio Sima, the ancient cemetery of eminent Athenians. For centuries, the area was largely rural and stood on the outskirts of the city. The construction of the Metaxourgeio factory in the early 19th century paved the way for the neighbourhood's inclusion in the larger urban area. During the course of Athens' dramatic growth in the late 19th century, Metaxourgeio became a thriving working-class neighbourhood, housing many craftsmen, tradesmen, and small-business owners. The population of the neighbourhood continued to grow during the course of the early twentieth century, maintaining its working-class profile, until a period of abandonment beginning in the 1970s. Metaxourgeio's abrupt population decrease during this period reflects the larger situation in Athens, when many inhabitants moved to cities within the region but outside of the capital. A lack of building renewal and restrictive traffic regulations exacerbated this trend in Metaxourgeio. Continuing into the 1980s, the area's image of abandonment combined with a decrease in employment opportunities further discouraged new inhabitants.

By 2001, the population of the neighbourhood had stabilised, largely due to an influx of immigrants as well as upper middle-class residents who found the area's low rents and proximity to high-profile meeting places attractive. In the period leading up to the 2004 Olympic games, renovation projects and infrastructure rebuilding throughout Athens extended to Metaxourgeio as well, which further attracted new higher-income residents.

Since January 2000, the district has been connected with the Athens metropolitan line 2.

Landmarks and attractions

The metamorphosis of the Metaxourgeio neighbourhood owes a great deal to the efforts of individual artists and small-business owners, swhose galleries, small theatres, and restaurants have helped create the atmosphere of artistic resurgence that now characterises the area. While the adjacent neighbourhoods of Psirri and Gazi experienced significant renovation via new zoning laws encouraging recreational establishments like night clubs, bars, and restaurants, Metaxourgeio's resurgence is due to the individual efforts of many of the following businesses.

Art galleries

• Municipal Gallery of Athens (Myllerou 32 & Leonidou, Avdi Square) - Open in this location since October 2010, this 1500 m² gallery is housed in a renovated 19th-century building by Hans Christian Hansen. (Prior to October 2010, the gallery was located on Peiraios street on Eleftherias (Koumondourou) Square.)
• Rebecca Camhi Gallery (Leonidou 9) - Open since 1995, this gallery housed in a neoclassical building features contemporary art in all media.
• The Breeder (Iasonos 45) - Features contemporary art.
• Vamiali's gallery (Samou 1) - First contemporary art gallery in the district since 2004, is housed in a renovated building.

Theatres

• Kunsthalle Athena (Kerameikou 28) - An open courtyard space featuring theatre and music performances.
• Metaxourgeio (Akadimou 16) - A multi-venue performance space featuring a theatre, music bar and restaurant.
• Apo Mihanis Theatro (Akadimou 13)
• Theatro Attis (Leonidou 7) - Contemporary theatre.
• Synergeio (Leonidou 15) - Contemporary theatre.
• Rabbithole Theatre(Germanikou 20)
• The Endorfini(Virginias Benaki 7) - Endorfini is a theatre and bar which features live musical performances and experimental stage plays in a state-of the art environment.

Restaurants

• The Tamarind Reastaurant(Kerameikou 51) - The only Thai reastaurant in Athens with an authentic Thai Chef,a contemporary modern interior and is located on Avdi Square.
• Taverneio To Metaxourgeio (Leonidou 46) (aka - Tavern Metaxourgeio) Serving up traditional Greek dishes and wines since 1933. Located in a picturesque old building.
• Lialina Cafe (Leonidou 5) - A hookah bar and cafe equally popular with immigrants and native Athenians.
• Nixon (Agisilaou 61b) - An unlikely restaurant/bar/cinema with tons of Richard Nixon paraphernalia on the walls.
• Belafonte (Agisilaou 61a) - A former manufacturing unit turned classy bar and disco, the building keeps a bit of the industrial feel adding suitable art-deco overtones. Located right next to Nixon.
• Aleria (Megalou Alexandrou 57) - Classy restaurant situated in a highly renovated neoclassical building.
• The Λα Μπυράζ (Leonidou 31) - A lively bar/cafe which hosts swing dance events every Thursday night.It is located in east corner of Avdi Square.
• lost n' found (Kerameikou 53) - Former "Bario" on Avdi Square.
• Polly Maggoo (Leonidou 80) - A French inspired restaurant and bar featuring a postmodern design.
• Koutalakia (Thermopylon 39) - A traditional Greek tavern.
• Carousel (Thermopylon 43) - Goth music and after mood.
• Anthropos (Iatrakou 19) - DJs and electronic music.
• Bios (Peiraios 84) - Trendy bar featuring guest DJs and experimental gigs.
• Anna's (Akadimou 16) - Cafe/restaurant attached to the theatre Metaxourgeio. Named for actress Anna Vagena, the theatre's owner and main star.
• The Breeder Feeder (Perdika 6) - Restaurant attached to The Breeder art gallery, open several days a week.
• Myrovolos (Giatrakou 12) - Cafe/restaurant/bar with a large outdoor seating area on Avdi Square.
• The Safka (Megalou Alexandrou 80-82) - The only Scandinavian restaurant/wine bar in Athens, which serves Breakfast and Brunch.
• The Χαουζ (Thermopylon 41) - A contemporary modern bar with a secluded courtyard area which features live DJs

Architecture and street art

A walk through Metaxourgeio reveals the rise, fall and resurgence of the neighbourhood through its architecture and art. The narrow streets of the neighbourhood and the occasional cobblestone pedestrian alleys help create a village ambience. Large modern buildings stand next to crumbling, abandoned buildings retaining ornate neoclassical elements. Some of the latter have been salvaged and restored for performance spaces and restaurants. Street art can be found everywhere, ranging from the contributions of professional artists during the ReMap 2 project to the works of anonymous artists adding interesting touches to brick walls, dilapidated buildings and public green spaces.

Miscellaneous

• Open-air market - Held every Monday on Kerameikos St., this large market offers a vital source of fresh produce for the neighbourhood.
• Chinatown - Numerous Asian grocery stores and clothing outlets can be found in Metaxourgeio between Kolonou and Kolokynthous streets.

source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaxourgeio