Agafya Grushetskaya

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.

What people wore

Footwear and Winter Warmth

Peasant footwear was typically made from natural materials like tree bark or vine twigs, though some people used leather soles tied with belts. During winter, both men and women relied on sheepskin or hare fur coats to stay warm.

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.

Music

Church ban on musical instruments

The Russian Orthodox Church strictly forbade the use of musical instruments in churches, teaching that objects without souls could not praise God. Musical instruments were considered appropriate only for secular settings and private feasts, rather than religious worship.

Daily life

Home and monastery-based education

Children were typically educated at home, focusing on reading, writing, and counting, with some instruction provided by monasteries. Wealthier families also began to introduce foreign languages like Latin and Polish in the 17th century.