Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia

What people wore

Peasant everyday winter and summer clothing

Peasant men wore linen shirts and trousers, while women wore long linen shirts and a checkered woolen skirt called a poneva. In winter, both wore sheepskin coats with the fur turned inward to stay warm.

Getting around

Horse-drawn travel at 5 km/h

In the late 18th century, nobility and officials primarily traveled between towns in horse-drawn carriages, kibitkas, or sledges in winter, with an average speed of about 5 km/h.

At the table

Daily Rye Bread Staples

Rye bread was the essential staple, with adults consuming nearly two pounds daily, often stored as a sourdough starter for up to two weeks.

Music

Social work-based gatherings for youth

In urban areas, young people gathered for work-related social events like kapustki, where they engaged in cabbage chopping followed by singing and dancing once the older generation left the room. These gatherings served as important occasions for unmarried youth to socialize and choose a marriage partner.

Daily life

Peasant hygiene and living conditions

Peasant life included poor hygiene, as families often shared a single dirty cloth for two weeks to wipe their hands, faces, and kitchenware. In winter, young livestock were sometimes kept inside the peasant cabin, which, combined with smoky air, negatively affected living conditions and health.

What it cost

Food prices in St. Petersburg

In 1793, a pound of beef cost 9 kopecks in St. Petersburg, while a pair of chickens cost 80 kopecks.