The History & Making of Cuckoo Clocks

A look into the history of one of Germany’s most treasured traditions

PAST AND PRESENT

Cuckoo clocks are a product near and dear to the people of Germany’s Black Forest region, who have been making them for hundreds of years. The meticulous and time-consuming craft began as a way for farming villages to find extra income during the cold winter months. As they grew in popularity, the designs became more and more intricate. Carefully carved wooden houses, painted decorations, and most importantly, a singing cuckoo bird became tradition. Why a cuckoo bird? Simply because it was a common local species and iconic enough to give character to the art.

The charm of these little singing birds—and the usefulness of their announcing the time to everyone nearby, without having to look at the clock—kept the tradition of clockmaking alive for centuries and brought this local craft to world fame. Today, the official versions of these timepieces are made in both quartz and mechanical styles. Quartz clocks bear the same intricate woodworking and style as the original cuckoo clocks, but with the added modern convenience of a more automatic clock system. Mechanical clocks, on the other hand, are traditionally hand-wound.

Experience the Germany’s Black Forest region, with GrownUps Holidays travel partner Uniworld on their 8-day Castles Along the Rhine river cruise. For more information contact GrownUps Holidays on 0800 842 685.