Sharona Hurmuses
June 10, 2026
Slow Living in Athens with The Halo Collection
Have you ever returned from a holiday feeling more exhausted than when you left? Many trips are packed with back-to-back sightseeing, tight schedules...
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Metaxourgeio
greek music
greek history
Sharona Hurmuses
April 14, 2026
Metaxourgeio: Athens’ Historic Neighbourhood of Music and Culture
Metaxourgeio: Birthplace of Laïko, Rebetiko and Greek Music Legends in Athens
Metaxourgeio is a historic Athens neighbourhood with deep ties to Greek music, especially Laïko and Rebetiko. The Silk House stands in this area that gave Greece Vicky Moscholiou and Giorgos Zampetas, two of the most iconic voices of these genres. Rebetiko dominated from the 1920s to the 1940s, with a revival in the 1960s, before Laïko took over in the 1950s–1970s. A blend of pop and Greek folk, this music became Greece’s mainstream soundtrack, and you can still hear it in local restaurants today.
Vicky Moscholiou: The Cello of Greek Music
Vicky Moscholiou grew up in post-war Athens and began singing in a nightclub where her cousin worked. She rose to fame in her early twenties and soon collaborated with leading Greek composers and songwriters. Manos Hatzidakis, one of Greece’s greatest composers, described her voice as "the cello of Greek music." She later performed at major venues in New York, London, and Paris, carrying the sound of Laïko far beyond Athens.
Giorgos Zampetas: The Legendary Bouzouki Master
Giorgos Zampetas was a legendary bouzouki player, composer, and singer and is still considered one of the greatest of all time. As a teenager, he met his idol, Vassilis Tsitsanis, a pioneer of modern Laïko, and soon formed his first band. He became one of the most recognisable Greek musicians of his era, composing soundtracks and appearing in Greek cinema. Today, his songs remain favourites in Athens tavernas.
Metaxourgeio in Song: Giving Voice to Everyday Greek Life
Moscholiou and Zampetas sang about real life in Athens: love, loss, hardship, and hope. Metaxourgeio is still all about showing visitors its authentic side, which is why a stay at the Silk House feels timeless.
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