Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary

Getting around

Rare river travel by boat

Travel by boat on the Arno River was possible but rare, as travelers often preferred carriages out of fear of heavy rains and the river's unpredictable water levels.

Daily life

Primitive one-room homes for the poor

For the poor, homes were primitive, one-room ground-floor dwellings built from raw bricks or stone with packed-earth or cobblestone floors and no windows. The hearth was dug into the floor in the center of the room, and the home contained only a large parents' bed and mats for the children.

What people wore

Everyday dress for peasant men

Peasant men typically dressed in coarse-fabric jackets, knee-length breeches, and waistcoats. While these garments were not refined in cut, there was a noticeable attention to detail and a sense of good taste in the pairing of colors.

Music

Pietro Nardini, master violinist

The violinist Pietro Nardini was the leading instrumentalist in Florence, known for performing violin concertos and chamber music at court.

At the table

Leftover Bread Soup Traditions

Peasants commonly prepared large pots of vegetable and bread soup, specifically adhering to meatless diets on Fridays. Leftover soup was often reboiled with bread in the following days to create ribollita.