Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú, 10th Marquis of Villaverde

Getting around

Circular railway tickets for long journeys

At the start of the 20th century, travelers could purchase circular tickets from the Norte Company, allowing them to travel up to 3,000 kilometers over 45 days.

At the table

Staple diet of ordinary Spanish families

Ordinary families relied heavily on cereals, potatoes, and legumes, which made up about 60% of their caloric intake. Meat consumption was low due to high prices, and families often saved money by eating simple national dishes like puchero.

What people wore

The Protective Waist Sash

Workers commonly wore a sash or faja around the waist to protect the lumbar area while lifting heavy weights, a practice that remains part of traditional festive attire today.

Music

Christmas music and nativity traditions

Christmas celebrations featured midnight masses where people sang villancicos, and homes were decorated with elaborate nativity scenes called nacimientos instead of Christmas trees. Children received their gifts on January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany, brought by the Three Kings.

Daily life

Mandatory Schooling vs. Reality

Although primary education was legally mandatory for children up to age 12 in 1901 and age 14 by 1923, poverty often made schooling an unattainable luxury for many families. Education was frequently deprioritized in favor of immediate economic needs and child labor.