Did you know that the Hofewiese in Dresden has a history stretching back to the 16th century? The Hofewiese wasn’t always the popular destination it is today. Originally a farm belonging to the royal court it was a place where peasants performed services for the royal family. The name itself hints at this dual meaning.
The Hofewiese evolved over centuries. In 1804 Count Marcolini took ownership. A house for the groundskeeper and stables were built. The first groundskeeper Hausche served for over 40 years under four kings. Initially the Hofewiese provided rest for forest workers. The groundskeeper supplied them and the royal staff with food and drink. This slowly developed into a permanent tavern. Even then there was no official license.
Early visitors were at the mercy of the groundskeeper’s wife. Her unique style of hospitality is the stuff of local legends. Her successor DÄbler however understood the needs of guests better. His tenure starting in 1870 saw a massive increase in visitors. The Hofewiese went through various renovations. The cow shed was moved and a coachman’s apartment added.
The kitchen was enlarged and guest rooms built upstairs. In 1877 the long overdue liquor license was granted. The groundskeepers after DÄbler also ran the tavern. More renovations happened in 1904. Max Frommert was the last groundskeeper. His time saw the tavern’s expansion. After his death in 1927 family members continued running it. In 1933 they sold it to Albert Fuchs a relative.
The 1930s saw more construction. The tavern expanded in 1932. In 1934 the property was connected to electricity and water. A major renovation and expansion lasted from autumn 1935 to spring 1936. The Hofewiese then took the form many remember.
The simple building with its attic blended with the landscape. The south facing extension of rough-hewn wood and gardens under shady trees held up to 700 guests. The interior was rustic. Hunting scenes decorated the walls. Many paintings depicted wildlife hunting and equipment. Two historical crossbows were on display. Local artists like Karl Hans Taeger and Rudolf Trache created these works. A wood carving from between 1840 and 1850 showed Frederick August II’s journey through Bavaria.
The Hofewiese attracted artists and high-ranking guests. Equestrian events were popular. The 20th century saw fluctuating ownership. It was later owned by the state then by the Wettin family again. After the Second World War the municipality of Langebrück obtained the building rights. The Hofewiese eventually became part of Dresden in 1999. Sadly several paintings and historical items were lost.
In 1992 the Hortschansky family took over. After a period of closure it reopened in 1993. However it later closed again in 2000. After a period of neglect it was eventually purchased in 2016 by Holger Zastrow. He reopened the beer garden as a popular destination. The Hofewiese continues to be a beloved spot in Dresden’s history. It truly combines nature history and recreation.