Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria

Getting around

Trains slashed travel times drastically

In the late 19th century, trains significantly reduced travel times; for instance, the journey from Vienna to Graz took nine hours by train, compared to twenty-nine hours by post coach.

At the table

Meat consumption frequency for workers

Ordinary workers typically ate meat only twice a week, usually on Saturdays and Sundays.

What people wore

Work aprons and reversible sheepskin coats

Men frequently wore a blue apron called a Firta for daily work, while craftsmen wore green aprons; for demanding barn work, they utilized sackcloth aprons and wooden clogs. Additionally, men often wore sheepskin coats that could be reversed, with the wool inside during winter and outside during summer.

Music

Rural music instruments in Voralpen

In rural areas near the Semmering and Wechsel regions, music was often performed using the zither and the hammered dulcimer (Hackbrett). This contrasted with urban areas where violin and harp combinations were more common in taverns.

Daily life

The multi-purpose kitchen stove

In rural kitchens, the stove was the central hub for cooking, drying laundry on an overhead pole, and providing heat.