Princess Maria Pia of the Two Sicilies

Getting around

Challenges of early travel

Before railways were built, travel was often restricted to mule tracks or rudimentary roads, such as a 6-mile trip to Osilo that could only be made on horseback and took 6 hours.

At the table

Daily Meals Based on Soup and Bread

Ordinary families typically relied on a single daily meal, often a soup (minestra) made of vegetables, potatoes, lard, or salted pork, frequently served with bread. For many, meat was an exceptional treat reserved for Sundays, holidays, or celebrations like weddings.

What people wore

Cagliari bread seller gala dress

The gala dress of Cagliari bread sellers, or panattara, featured a massive skirt of blue silk satin worn over one or two petticoats to create a bell-shaped volume. It was completed by a striking red cloth head cloak known as a mantilla, decorated with silver thread embroidery.

Music

Rural brass bands were popular musical associations

In the late 19th century, rural French brass bands often consisted of about 25 members, with many musicians starting as young as 8 or 9 years old.

Daily life

Modest homes and contaminated water supplies

In homes before electricity, families often lived in just a few square meters, using a ground floor room as a kitchen and an upstairs room for sleeping. Lacking public water pipes, residents relied on wells or public fountains, and their drinking water was often contaminated due to the absence of sewage systems.