Infante José, Prince of Brazil

What people wore

Fishermen kept gala outfits for generations

Fishermen wore simple linen breeches during work, but dressed in blue cloth suits for Sundays and kept their finest gala outfits for rare feast days. These precious gala sets were often passed down through generations, from parents to children and even grandchildren.

Getting around

Common travel in mule-drawn calashes

Due to poor road conditions, the most common vehicles in Lisbon were two-mule calashes, while traveling by horse or mule was often necessary. A rental calash in the city cost 42 réis per day.

At the table

Regulated bread weight during scarcity

Bread prices were regulated, and during times of scarcity, a loaf known as pão de vintém would be sold with a reduced weight of approximately 0.3 kg.

Music

The Popular Fandango Dance

In the 18th century, the fandango became so popular across all social classes that some foreign travelers considered it Portugal's national dance. Originally from Spanish theaters, it was danced by couples using castanets or finger snapping, often in taverns and even convents.

Daily life

Value of household repairs versus food

A household once paid 2,400 réis for the repair of a water barrel, which was exactly the same amount spent to purchase two chickens in the same period.