Queen Eleonore of Bulgaria

Getting around

Transfers between Warsaw railway stations

In Warsaw, passengers traveling between the St. Petersburg and Vienna railway lines had to transfer by horse tramway because the stations were on opposite banks of the Vistula River.

At the table

Everyday drinks and supplements

Water and buttermilk were common daily drinks, though some households prepared bread kvass or beer; coffee made from roasted barley and chicory was also a caloric supplement.

What people wore

Women's Everyday and Festive Clothing

Women's everyday work clothes were made of coarse hemp or flax linen, while their heads were typically covered by simple linen scarves tied behind the neck. On feast days, they wore ornate, colorful skirts and intricately embroidered shirts or corsets, often seeking help from experts to tie their decorative headscarves.

Music

Songs and sounds of daily life

Singing was an essential part of daily life and work, with repertoires changing by season and calendar, such as spring carols known as konopielki. Church bells were the dominant artificial sound, marking time, calling to services, and serving protective roles like warding off storms.

Daily life

Home utilities and lighting in urban areas

Ordinary urban homes lacked piped water, requiring residents to fetch it from public wells or rely on water carriers. Lighting was provided by simple means like brass candlesticks, as kerosene lamps and electricity were rare or non-existent in common households.