Maria Radziwiłł

At the table

Daily diet of the commoners

A typical meal for ordinary people consisted of boiled grains like beans or peas without oil, and cabbage preserved in brine for winter consumption.

What people wore

Everyday clothing materials and colors

Ordinary people in Moldavia often wore clothes made from natural, undyed fibers like wool, linen, and hemp, or fabrics dyed with local essences that produced paler, less durable colors than the rich, vibrant fabrics used by the wealthy.

Getting around

Animal-drawn transport and river navigation

Travelers used animal-drawn vehicles on dry or snow-covered roads, and navigation on rivers was common for both transport and trade.

What it cost

One or two cows sustained a family

An average urban family in the Principality of Moldavia could support themselves with one or two cows, which provided enough milk for both adults and children.

Music

Entertainment at Moldavian wedding feasts

Wedding feasts in the 17th century featured diverse music from local and foreign traditions, including the ruler's own musicians and entertainers like acrobats and jesters who were rewarded with coins or silk cloth.

Daily life

Traditional Moldavian Peasant Homes

Traditional peasant homes were constructed from local materials like wattle-and-daub, earth, and straw, and were designed with very low ceilings to better retain heat during the cold seasons.