Alfonso, Prince of Asturias

What people wore

Limited Wardrobes and Constant Mending

Ordinary people wore clothes until they wore out, often mending them until they could be reused as rags; many owned only two outfits, one for work and one for Sunday or feast days.

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.

Music

Religious dancing in Seville cathedral

On feast days at the Seville cathedral, twelve youths dressed in 17th-century silk costumes traditionally danced the sevillana before the high altar.

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.