Queen Eleonore of Bulgaria

Getting around

Railways significantly reduced travel time

Traveling between Moscow and St. Petersburg by train took 22 hours, whereas a carriage journey previously took 4 to 5 days.

At the table

Staple diet of ordinary families

Potatoes, rye bread, and cabbage soup were the staples, often eaten from a single common bowl by the whole family. Vegetables like peas, beans, and grains were also dietary mainstays.

What people wore

Women's Everyday and Festive Clothing

Women's everyday work clothes were made of coarse hemp or flax linen, while their heads were typically covered by simple linen scarves tied behind the neck. On feast days, they wore ornate, colorful skirts and intricately embroidered shirts or corsets, often seeking help from experts to tie their decorative headscarves.

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

Home utilities and lighting in urban areas

Ordinary urban homes lacked piped water, requiring residents to fetch it from public wells or rely on water carriers. Lighting was provided by simple means like brass candlesticks, as kerosene lamps and electricity were rare or non-existent in common households.