Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Getting around

Station distance and local transit

The railway station was located 1,400 meters from the city center for military reasons, leaving travelers to walk or take an expensive horse-drawn omnibus reserved for the wealthy. Service on the horse-drawn tram ran from 6:30 am until 9:00 pm to connect with train arrivals.

At the table

Thrifty cooking with fats and offal

Ordinary families frequently used lard (Schmalz) as a fat for cooking and spread it on bread, while meat, particularly smoked pork, was typically reserved for festive occasions. Traditional dishes often incorporated thrifty use of leftovers, including offal like liver, heart, and lungs, which were used to make hearty soups such as Gehäck.

What people wore

Public shaming for late-night partying

If a man stayed out too late partying at a kermess, his wife would hang blue trousers outside their home to invite friends over to gossip about him. Conversely, a husband whose wife went on an extended bender would hang a blue apron outside to achieve the same effect.

Music

Children used wooden rattles for Easter announcements

During the week leading up to Easter, children went from house to house with wooden rattles instead of church bells to announce services, receiving treats or money in return.

Daily life

Schooling Costs for Families

Primary education was not legally mandatory, and families who could afford it often had to pay fees to contribute to school costs.