Pulsnitz Opens the Traditional Gingerbread Market

There’s a hint of Christmas in the air: The traditional gingerbread market has opened in Pulsnitz. Through Sunday, more than 100 vendors will be showcasing their wares. The focus is on specialties from local gingerbread bakeries, which entice visitors with filled lace cookies, honey cakes, and artfully decorated gingerbread.

Pulsnitz is known far beyond the region as the “Gingerbread City.” Held annually since 2003, the market draws thousands of visitors to the town northeast of Dresden every year on the first weekend of November.

In addition to the sweet specialties, visitors can also look forward to a craft fair this weekend. There, artisans from all over Saxony showcase ceramics, woodwork, and blacksmithing, among other things. There’s plenty for families to enjoy as well: at the Gingerbread Museum, visitors can decorate their own cookies, and for children there are carousels, puppet shows, and pony rides.

For the gingerbread bakeries in Pulsnitz, the market traditionally marks the start of the most important time of the year: the peak sales season. At the Löschner gingerbread bakery, for example, production was already in full swing back in September. There are about 30 varieties available in the bakery’s own store, including “Orangentaler” with Italian candied orange peel and a chocolate coating.