Princess Maria Anna of Naples and Sicily

At the table

Acquacotta: The Peasant Stone Soup

Ordinary people often ate acquacotta, a simple dish literally meaning cooked water, made from water, stale bread, and onions.

What people wore

Sardinian Costume as Cultural Identity

During the second half of the 18th century, traditional Sardinian costume became a distinct and exclusive form of cultural heritage that served as a tool for ethnic and social identification. Although garments varied by village, they were deeply rooted in the daily lives of the population.

Getting around

Strict schedules for grain carts

Farmers transporting grain to cities used slow ox-drawn carts and had to arrive before noon, or they were forced to stay overnight in the town outskirts.

What it cost

Fixed Price Bread in Florence

In Florence, the price of a loaf of bread was fixed at eight soldi for most of the eighteenth century, with authorities adjusting the loaf's weight rather than the price itself to manage market fluctuations.

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.

Daily life

Rural Homes and Living Conditions

In rural areas, many families lived on the upper floors of small stone buildings, keeping their pigs and chickens on the ground floor. Water was obtained from wells or cisterns that collected rainwater, while candles provided light during long winter nights.