Anna Sophie of Prussia

At the table

Turnips and pirog pastries

Turnips were a staple vegetable, and households commonly served a pastry called a pirog, which was filled with chopped fish, meat, or onions.

What people wore

Embroidery as a Protective Charm

Clothing served as a protective charm, with embroidery on collars, hems, and cuffs acting as a guard for the wearer. Even daily garments were typically decorated, while holiday or ritual clothing featured significantly more elaborate embroidery and precious ornaments.

Getting around

Efficient state posting system for travelers

For authorized travelers, the state-run posting system allowed horses to be changed at stations every 40 to 50 kilometers. Using this relay system, the 524-verst journey between Novgorod and Moscow could be completed in 72 hours.

What it cost

Laborer wages and shoe costs

In early 16th-century Saxony, a day laborer could earn 9 groschen per week with keep or 16 groschen without keep. For comparison, a pair of shoes cost 3 groschen.

Music

Tsar Ivan IV Composed Church Music

Tsar Ivan IV was an avid lover and composer of church music, dedicating several hours a day to it. His compositions, known as stichera, remain part of the repertoire today.

Daily life

Smoky log cabins housed families and livestock

Most ordinary homes were log cabins without chimneys, meaning smoke from the stove had to escape through small windows or a hole in the roof, creating a dark and smoky atmosphere. These huts often housed the family's young livestock during the winter to protect them from the harsh frost.