Grand Duke Vyacheslav Constantinovich of Russia

What people wore

Peasant Men's Everyday Attire

Ordinary peasant men wore baggy linen trousers, known as portki or gacie, and shirts made of simple homespun cloth. For everyday work, they wore durable garments made from coarse, homespun linen, often opting for straw hats in the summer.

Getting around

Transfers between Warsaw railway stations

In Warsaw, passengers traveling between the St. Petersburg and Vienna railway lines had to transfer by horse tramway because the stations were on opposite banks of the Vistula River.

Music

Instruments used in everyday folk music

Villagers used simple instruments like willow flutes, whistles, reed pipes, or trumpets bought at fairs, while adults played violins, bagpipes, or drums at dances. Musical ensembles at festive events often included violins, basses, clarinets, and sometimes tsimbls.

Daily life

Childhood education and seasonal school attendance

Many children received their first education at home from their parents or through secret, informal teaching to preserve the Polish language and spirit. Formal schooling was often irregular, sometimes limited to winter months because children were needed for farm work during the summer.