Archduchess Franziska, Archduchess Maximilian Eugen of Austria

Getting around

Vienna to Budapest rail travel time reduction

When the rail line between Vienna and Budapest first opened, a direct train took about six hours, a time which fell to four and a half hours by 1900.

Daily life

Homemade lighting and fire safety precautions

In the 19th century, the cheapest source of light was a simple wooden piece known as a torchlight, which burned for about ten minutes and had to be constantly replaced. To prevent fire in wooden homes, children kept the light over a vessel filled with water so the burning end would drop safely into it.

What people wore

Intricate apron embroidery

Peasant women created aprons with elaborate embroidered blossom borders that could take an experienced worker more than a full week to complete.

Music

Paying six kreutzers for a song

At local village feasts, musicians were paid six kreutzers per song. Some attendees would dance all day without paying, leading to frequent fights with the young people who hosted the events.

At the table

Coffee substitutes for families

When coffee was too expensive, families brewed substitutes from ingredients like chicory, malt, or rye.