Hugo José Jorge O'Neill

Music

Music in the home and theater

Influential families regularly organized private dinner parties and concerts at home, while urban centers saw a boom in theater construction throughout the late nineteenth century.

Daily life

Home life and cooking practices

Cooking was typically done over three stones as fireplaces were rare, and lighting in rural homes was provided by oil or olive oil lamps. Families often gathered in the kitchen, which served as the primary living space, to talk, read aloud, or play cards.

What it cost

Entrance cost to the Crystal Palace

While the bourgeoisie enjoyed Sunday leisure, those who could afford the entrance fee paid 50 réis to visit the Crystal Palace in Porto.

What people wore

Generational inheritance of Sunday clothing

Fishermen in the late 19th century owned very few sets of clothes; their Sunday best was often handed down through generations, passing from parents to children and even to grandchildren.

Getting around

Hiring Mules and Drivers

Travelers often rode mules, which were paid up to 12 testoons per day; the driver (arrieiro) was expected to be paid 240 réis per day in addition to his food.

At the table

Widespread wine consumption among the people

Wine was the most common beverage consumed by the general population in abundance. In some regions, like the Azores, the common people consumed a low-quality wine made from American Isabel grapes.