Lebzelterhaus (Gingerbread Maker’s House), Melk

The Gingerbread Maker’s House, was built in 1657 and once belonged to the guild of Lebzelters-artisans known for producing honey-cakes, gingerbread, and other spiced confections. Like many guild houses of the time, it served both as a workshop and a residence, reflecting the close ties between domestic life and trade in early modern Austria.

As centuries passed and guild traditions declined, the building adapted to new uses. Its façade, with distinctive window forms, masonry, and painted shutters, still carries echoes of its original function while blending naturally into the evolving streetscape of Melk’s old town.

Today, the Gingerbread Maker’s House houses a pharmacy, keeping it actively woven into daily life rather than preserved as a static monument. This ongoing use ensures that the building continues to serve the community, while its preserved historic features offer a quiet reminder of Melk’s artisan heritage.