Barbara Zápolya

What people wore

Adjusting skirt length for muddy conditions

To keep skirts clean and manageable in muddy conditions, women wore them tucked up. This practical adjustment allowed them to adapt the length of their clothing to the environment throughout their daily work.

Daily life

Advanced curriculum in Bardejov school

Under Leonard Stöckel's leadership, the Bardejov Latin School became an outstanding institution that taught subjects including physics, astronomy, and Greek. The school also incorporated the study of drama into its educational process.

Work

High level of professional craft specialization

In 16th-century Košice alone, there were 230 different types of crafts performed, demonstrating a high level of professional specialization.

Music

Church music in urban centers

In towns like Levoča and Bardejov, municipal cantors and students performed complex polyphonic and polychoral music in parish churches during daily services and festivals.

At the table

Staple foods and fermented drinks

Ordinary people frequently ate grain-based porridges, soups, and dishes prepared from flour, such as 'kasha', which were often seasoned with oil, poppy seeds, or honey. Fermented sour drinks and soups like 'kisiel', 'kwas', and 'zur' were also popular staples in their diet.

Getting around

Postal stations and horse changing stops

Postal stations were established along royal routes such as the one from Vienna to Kosice, typically located about 15 kilometers apart to allow for changing horses. These stations also provided refreshments and lodging for travelers and were managed by a postmaster.

What it cost

Rye bread was the peasant staple food

In 16th-century Slovakia, dark, dense bread made from rye was the staple food for peasants, while meat was considered a luxury reserved for feast days or winter slaughter.