Central German Craftsmen's Market Neschwitz 2026

Craftsmanship in the Baroque Castle

Neschwitz, a small town in the Bautzen district about 15 kilometers north of Bautzen, is home to one of the most beautiful baroque castles in Upper Lusatia. The late 17th-century castle with its 18-hectare landscape park serves as the backdrop for the Central German Craftsmen's Market twice a year — mid-July and late summer. From July 18th to 19th, 2026, the park opens for the summer edition.

Over 60 Exhibitors from Several Federal States

Over 60 exhibitors from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Brandenburg, and Berlin will present their works under the trees of the landscape park. The spectrum is broad: jewelry designers with handmade silver, bronze, and gemstone works, brush makers with traditional crafts from Upper Lusatia, basket weavers with willow work, wood designers with turning and carvings, textile designers with felt, woven fabrics, and embroidery, ceramicists with stoneware, raku, and porcelain, doll makers with handmade dolls, and soap makers with natural soaps and care products.

Demonstrations and Discussions

Many exhibitors demonstrate their craft live: you can watch the potters at the wheel, the basket weaver at work, the brush maker drilling the wooden bodies, the ceramicist firing raku. Those who want to understand craftsmanship not just as a product but as a trade will find rare opportunities for conversation and observation here. Small workshops allow visitors to create a piece themselves.

Castle Park as an Experience Space

The market extends across the spacious lawns of the landscape park and along the sightlines to the castle. The baroque castle itself is open for guided tours during the market — those who want to combine arts and crafts with cultural heritage will find it here. A bistro and snack stands in the park offer drinks, soups, salads, and Saxon specialties. For children, there is a hands-on program with small craft activities.

Neschwitz in Upper Lusatia

Neschwitz is located in the Sorbian settlement area — the bilingual signage «Nješwačidło» on the town signs indicates the region's dual cultural identity. Visitors to the market should plan half a day for the castle park, the stork and heath flora, and the nearby Sornoer Heide.