Juan de Borbón y Bragança

At the table

High cost of wheat in 1825

During periods of severe scarcity, such as in 1825, the price of a fanega of wheat in Jaén could reach as high as 75 reales.

What people wore

Essential outdoor attire for women

Regardless of social class, women wore a black basquiña skirt and a mantilla over their other clothes when going out in public or to church. These garments were considered so essential that they were present in every dowry, whether from a wealthy or modest family.

Getting around

Stagecoach travel revolutionizes Spanish transit

Organized stagecoach travel between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia began in 1816, significantly reducing travel times by the 1850s. For example, a journey from Madrid to Barcelona that took about 13 days in the 1820s was reduced to 3 to 4 days by the 1850s.

What it cost

Labor for food and shoes

During times of economic crisis, some workers were forced to offer their labor solely in exchange for basic food and footwear instead of monetary wages.

Music

Social gatherings and lively dances

Ordinary people often enjoyed social gatherings in tabernas or outdoor settings where they participated in dances like the fandango, which was both sung and danced. These lively gatherings featured instruments like guitars and bagpipes to animate the atmosphere.

Daily life

Storing water in rural homes

In rural homes, water was stored in two to six clay jars kept cool inside the house, often covered with white linen cloths and wooden lids.