Maria Alekseyevna of Russia

At the table

Daily diet of cabbage, porridge, and bread

Ordinary families relied heavily on cabbage soup (shchi), porridge, and black rye bread, often supplemented by seasonal mushrooms, berries, and vegetables like turnips or cucumbers. Meat was consumed less frequently due to numerous religious fasts, and the pungent aroma of garlic and onion was characteristic of their daily meals.

What people wore

Essential Daily Clothing and Belts

Ordinary people wore linen shirts as a base layer, with men pairing them with knee-length trousers and women wearing long shirts often decorated for festivals. A belt was essential, as appearing in public without one was considered highly improper.

Getting around

Challenges of 17th-century Russian travel

Travel was slow, often taking weeks, and due to a lack of inns, travelers had to carry their own food, axes, and fire-making supplies to camp outdoors. Wealthy travelers often traveled by post-horses, changing them at stations, though they frequently faced shortages of horses or corrupt officials demanding bribes.

What it cost

Cost of footwear

In the late 17th century, a pair of fine morocco leather boots cost 1 ruble, while simpler leather shoes were significantly cheaper.

Music

Church ban on musical instruments

The Russian Orthodox Church strictly forbade the use of musical instruments in churches, teaching that objects without souls could not praise God. Musical instruments were considered appropriate only for secular settings and private feasts, rather than religious worship.

Daily life

Chimney-less huts and smoky interiors

Ordinary homes were chimney-less huts where smoke exited through a small hole, sometimes shared with poultry and young livestock during winter. Lighting was provided by splinter torches, and windows were often small, shuttered, or covered with bull's bladder.