Natalia Maria Petrovna

What people wore

European dress reforms

Following reforms, men adopted caftans, knee-length breeches, and stockings, while women transitioned from concealing sarafans to dresses with low necklines and short sleeves.

Getting around

Winter travel by sledge and heated carriage

Winter travel was often considered faster and more convenient, as travelers used sledges to glide over snow and frozen riverbeds. Some specialized winter carriages, known as vozoks, were equipped with heaters and allowed passengers to lie down during long journeys.

At the table

Weekly bread baking routine

Peasants prepared bread only once a week to save fuel, baking a week's supply at once because fresh bread was considered too heavy for the stomach.

Music

Traditional dances included khorovod and skakati

In rural and urban areas, people performed khorovod, an ancient circular chain dance accompanied by singing, often held on Sundays and holidays. While women typically performed slow, flowing dances known as pliaska, men often engaged in skakati, which featured energetic jumps and capers.

Daily life

Founding of Secular Schools

By a 1714 decree, secular numeric schools were established to provide free education for children, though some students had to be forcefully recruited or were punished with rods for attempting to flee.

What it cost

Annual wages for Moscow factory workers

In the first quarter of the 18th century, a skilled weaver at a Moscow textile factory earned up to 24 rubles per year, while unskilled workers earned between 6 and 12 rubles per year.