Princess Eleonora of Savoy

Getting around

Most common travel was on foot

For most people in the Duchy of Savoy, the most common way to travel between towns was on foot.

At the table

Bread as the common staple food

While nobles enjoyed refined breads, the main daily food for common people was bread made from grain, often in the form of simple, rustic focaccias.

What people wore

Functional button decor

Men's coat sleeves were decorated with three vertical buttons, a feature originally intended to prevent lower-class soldiers from wiping their noses or faces on their sleeves.

Music

Music in streets and squares

Outdoor public events featured brass and percussion musicians who accompanied processions and rituals in streets and squares. These performances blended with the sounds of the crowd, creating a conversational atmosphere shared across different social groups.

Daily life

Rural home layout and food storage

Rural homes featured a spacious kitchen that served as the heart of daily life, where families prepared bread, processed pork, and performed household chores. The kitchen was typically south-facing to catch the sun, while cellars were positioned on the north side to keep food cool.