Benedetto Filippo d'Este

At the table

Winter pig slaughter and blood usage

In December, families slaughtered pigs and used every part, including filtering and cooking the blood with breadcrumbs, cheese, and spices to make a dish called cervellati.

What people wore

Soldiers' neckcloths indicated their rank

In the Duchy of Modena, soldiers' neckcloths served as rank identifiers, with ordinary soldiers tying them at the back and corporals wearing them with the ends hanging down at the front.

Getting around

Travel by foot, mule, or carriage

For most people, travel between towns along the mountainous Via Vandelli was done on foot, horseback, or by mule, while only the flatter Emilian stretch could accommodate carriages. A full journey between Modena and Massa took about one week, even with postal service arrangements.

What it cost

Generous daily wine rations

Workers in northern Italy often received significant daily wine rations, sometimes ranging from 1 to over 5 liters, as part of their in-kind compensation.

Music

Music in streets and squares

Outdoor public events featured brass and percussion musicians who accompanied processions and rituals in streets and squares. These performances blended with the sounds of the crowd, creating a conversational atmosphere shared across different social groups.

Daily life

Washing and water access in rural homes

Rural kitchens lacked modern sinks, so dishes were washed outside in the courtyard or under a porch using buckets and basins. Water was often drawn from a well located under the porch, where it was also used to water livestock.