She lived through 10 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Parma.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
The 1840s · Princess is born in Parma
In the news1842
First seaside medical hostel opens in 1842
In 1842, a seaside hostel was opened in Viareggio, Tuscany, specifically for treating children suffering from tuberculosis. This was the first facility of its kind in Italy, marking an early attempt at marine therapy.
What people wore
Sorrento women's feast day attire
On feast days, peasant women in Sorrento wore bodices of damask with braided trim, styled their hair in a Chinese fashion, and wore a special pin called a spadella with a ribbon hanging down their necks.
Getting around
Climbing Mount Etna by horse and carriage
To climb Mount Etna, travelers would depart Catania by carriage for Nicolosi, then ride horses to the Casa degli inglesi, arriving at midnight. From there, they trekked 1.5 hours before dawn to reach the summit to witness the sunrise.
In Europe · 1848
The Revolutions of 1848. Uprisings spread from Paris to Vienna, Berlin and Milan; most were put down, but serfdom ended in Austria.
Horace Vernet · public domain
In the news1847–1848
First telegraph line established in 1847
The first Italian telegraph line connecting Florence, Pisa, and Livorno was established in 1847. This technology represented a major leap in communication speed across the region.
Music
Music in religious festivals
Religious processions and festivals were vibrant musical events where people sang devotional songs and participated in popular theatre performances. These celebrations often merged music, dance, and collective banqueting to strengthen community bonds.
Daily life
Peasant homes in Fardella
Peasant homes in Fardella typically consisted of a ground floor for stables and storage, and a single first-floor room where families cooked, ate, and slept; they lacked both drinking water and electricity.