Gera's 16th-century Museum Cellar reopens after years of restoration
Gera's Historic Cellars Reopen to the Public with Expanded Access
Yesterday, the organization overseeing Gera's famed underground cellars announced several exciting updates: The Museum Cellar beneath the Schreiber House—which welcomed nearly 8,000 visitors last year—will reopen to individual guests on March 5, 2026. Public guided tours will be offered at 11:30 AM on Thursdays and Fridays and at 2:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets can be purchased at the Museum of Natural History's box office, priced at €6 (€4 reduced). Children and young people under 18 enjoy free admission.
Local Guides and Cellar Association Support City Administration This reopening has been made possible through collaboration between the Cultural Office, the Gera Region Tourist Guides Association (Gästeführer Region Gera e.V.), and the Society for the Preservation of Gera's Cellars (Verein zur Erhaltung der Geraer Höhler e.V.). "I am deeply grateful to the members of both associations for their support," said Felix Eckerle, head of the Cultural Office. "After it became clear that continuing operations in the previous format was no longer feasible, we worked together to find a practical solution to keep this historic site accessible." In addition to these public tours, group visits can be booked through Gera-Information, while tours for preschoolers, school classes, and children's birthday parties will continue to be organized by the Gera City Museum.
Gera's cellars are one of the city's most distinctive landmarks, nestled along the White Elster River. These deep basement vaults, constructed beneath the Old Town's houses in the 16th century, originally served as beer storage cellars. Spreading like an underground labyrinth up to 10 meters below ground, over 200 cellars were dug over the centuries, their steady temperatures of 12–13°C ensuring refreshingly cool beer even in summer. By the late 19th century, many fell into disuse—some repurposed as storage, others filled in. During World War II, a few served as air-raid shelters. Since the 1980s, these remarkable structures have regained public attention and been restored for visitors. A visit to the Museum Cellar can be perfectly paired with the nearby Museum of Natural History's cellar, home to the exhibition "The ABCs of Minerals," showcasing around 350 stunning mineral specimens from around the world.
Cellar Association and Cultural Office Plan Future of the Cellar Biennale as a Joint Project Last year's 12th Cellar Biennale, expertly curated by Dr. Gitta Heil, marked the final edition under her leadership, drawing regional and national acclaim. Now, the Society for the Preservation of Gera's Cellars and the Cultural Office—which will co-host the art exhibition in the historic beer cellars from 2029 onward—are taking time to rethink its structure, personnel, and organization. "I'm thrilled that the Cellar Biennale will continue and that the Cellar Association, together with the city administration, is approaching this as a shared endeavor," said Mayor Kurt Dannenberg. "The combination of volunteer dedication and professional frameworks ensures that, through installation art, Gera's cellars will keep shining as a cultural beacon."
"We've jointly decided to skip a cycle to preserve the Biennale's character," explained Felix Eckerle. "This is partly because 2027 will mark the20th anniversary of the Federal Garden Show (Bundesgartenschau), where art and culture will play a central role. Additionally, before concrete preparations for the next Cellar Biennale can begin, we need to address key questions regardingstructures, venues, and funding."
The Caves Association considers itself fortunate that the Cave Biennale—organized since 2003 with immense voluntary dedication, creativity, courage, and passion—will continue, with the city administration now stepping in as a responsible partner for this community project. Special thanks go to all the active participants and supporters who have shaped the biennales thus far. For now, however, I am especially looking forward to the next Cave Festival, which we are preparing together with the city administration and which will be dedicated to the 789th anniversary of the granting of town rights," said Dr. Günther Linsel on behalf of the association's board.
