Tsarevich Alexei Alexeyevich of Russia

What people wore

Protecting Fine Garments

Valuable clothes were frequently stored in chests under pieces of water mouse skin to protect them from moths and dampness. Such fine garments were strictly reserved for holidays and special occasions.

Daily life

Chimney-less huts and smoky interiors

Ordinary homes were chimney-less huts where smoke exited through a small hole, sometimes shared with poultry and young livestock during winter. Lighting was provided by splinter torches, and windows were often small, shuttered, or covered with bull's bladder.

Work

High infant mortality rates

A harsh reality for many families was that approximately one-third of children did not survive past their first birthday due to constant physical labor and difficult living conditions.

Music

Solitary dancing and embroidered handkerchiefs

When dancing, Russians traditionally did not hold hands; instead, individuals danced alone, often waving intricately embroidered handkerchiefs while moving their arms, shoulders, and hips.

At the table

Everyday kvass and hangover remedies

Kvass, a fermented beverage made from rye or barley, was a daily staple for people of all social classes. When feeling unwell, especially after drinking, Russians consumed a specific dish called pokhmelye, made from chopped cold mutton, pickles, spices, vinegar, and brine.

Getting around

Challenges of 17th-century Russian travel

Travel was slow, often taking weeks, and due to a lack of inns, travelers had to carry their own food, axes, and fire-making supplies to camp outdoors. Wealthy travelers often traveled by post-horses, changing them at stations, though they frequently faced shortages of horses or corrupt officials demanding bribes.

What it cost

Food prices in mid-17th century Moscow

In Moscow during the mid-17th century, a chicken cost 3 kopecks, while a kilogram of bread, pork, oil, or sturgeon also cost approximately 1 kopeck and 3 kopecks, respectively.