The History of the Kuckucksdiele
Franz Meinhard, a farmer's son from Kleinbocka who owned a small haulage company in Gera, bought a piece of undeveloped land north of the Great Oak at the foot of the Hainberg in 1910.
He filled in the sinkholes, which were up to 5 m deep, and over the years created garden areas, which he sold. From 1917 onwards he set up a bottled beer business in a gazebo in the southernmost part of his remaining property. He enlarged the wooden gazebo, put up tables and chairs and from 1920 to 1923 built the more solid barracks of the current garden restaurant, which was expanded further after inflation.
Some old men (architect Drechsel., sculptor Oettel and others) often sat with a glass of beer under the green trees of the Meinhard garden restaurant.
On a beautiful spring day the old men were in a particularly good mood and enjoyed the enticing calls of the cuckoo from the nearby Hainberg. They gave this regulars' table restaurant the name "Kuckucks” - Diele.
ca. 1918 - later Kuckucksdiele
Look "forward" without forgetting what's "behind"!
The great-grandparents of the previous owner took over the restaurant in 1955, and it was during this time that it was expanded and reconstructed for the first time.
In 1999, the old building was demolished and replaced by a new building.
The result is a mix of tradition and modernity that combines Thuringian hospitality with individual service. In 2012, the entire restaurant was renovated and redesigned again. In autumn 2022, the long-time owner of the restaurant died suddenly and unexpectedly and the gem on the edge of the forest plunged into a deep sleep for a year until Spyridon Gkogkas and his family began to fill the tranquil property with new life. However, there were still many tasks to be completed and renovations to be carried out before the reopening in autumn 2024.
The wonderful location on the edge of the forest and in the “Heinrichsgrün” musicians’ quarter offers good opportunities for hikes or walks and of course a rest in the “Kuckucksdiele” forest restaurant. There are lovingly designed guest rooms on two floors, all of which have different names and are furnished accordingly, also for all celebrations.
Whether inside or outside on the open terraces, you will be surprised by the extensive food and drink menu. Whether traditional, seasonal or good home cooking, the head chefs know how to spoil their guests.
There are around 200 seats inside and up to 100 seats outside, against the backdrop of the Gera city forest.
