Maria Francesca Pignatelli, Princess of Campofranco

What people wore

Coral jewelry for festive occasions

On feast days, ordinary women often adorned themselves with coral jewelry, which was meticulously categorized into fourteen different shades, ranging from blood-red to black. This industry was so significant that it drew the interest of foreign travelers who observed the detailed production process in Livorno.

Getting around

Rare river travel by boat

Travel by boat on the Arno River was possible but rare, as travelers often preferred carriages out of fear of heavy rains and the river's unpredictable water levels.

At the table

Simple and Shared Meals

Families practiced extreme modesty and sobriety, with husband and wife often eating from the same dish and drinking from the same cup. Their basic diet was primarily composed of bread, fruit, jam, and herbs.

Music

Pergolesi's Stabat Mater tradition

During Lent in Florence, a popular and recurring musical event was the performance of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, which became a hallowed tradition.

Daily life

Schools and Student Life

State-run schools for girls taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and textile work, with deserving students eligible for a substantial dowry of 140 scudi after eight years. Pupils were required to maintain absolute silence and were corrected with zeal and charity if they showed negligence or inappropriate behavior.

What it cost

Fixed Price Bread in Florence

In Florence, the price of a loaf of bread was fixed at eight soldi for most of the eighteenth century, with authorities adjusting the loaf's weight rather than the price itself to manage market fluctuations.