Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Getting around

Horse-drawn trams in Luxembourg City

The first horse-drawn tram line in Luxembourg City began operating in 1875, running between the railway station and the Athénée. By the late 19th century, the service was so popular that intervals were reduced to about 9 minutes to accommodate high passenger demand.

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

Demanding Household Chores

At home, laundry was often a strenuous task done by hand, sometimes using irons heated with hot coals.