Carlota Joaquina of Spain

What people wore

The Essential Male Cape

Ordinary men frequently wore a cape, which was considered essential even for the very poor, who might lack a shirt or shoes but would still wear their cape to be buried decently. The cape served multiple purposes, acting as a mattress or blanket at night and as a way to hide worn-out clothing.

Daily life

Water access and hygiene practices

Most people obtained water from public fountains, while those who could afford it purchased water from carriers who delivered it to their homes. Due to the difficulty of accessing water, personal hygiene was often limited, and many still followed the belief that water could be harmful to one's health.

Music

Home Parties and Popular Dances

Seguidillas and fandangos were iconic dances often held in private homes during informal parties called bailes de candil. These lively gatherings featured music from guitars, violins, and bandurrias, providing entertainment for neighborhoods.

At the table

Diet of the Laboring Poor

Poor laborers often ate soup with oil or cornmeal porridge in the morning and legumes or salted sardines at midday. Wine was considered expensive, so these families typically drank it only on feast days, sometimes to excess.

Getting around

Post riders travelled quickly between stations

Travelers could ride as post, which was the fastest and most advanced way to move around Spain, covering 36 to 48 kilometers per day on average. Riders moved between postal stations, typically 14 to 22 kilometers apart, aiming to spend only 45 minutes per league traveled.