Maria I of Portugal

What people wore

Women's footwear and regional clothing habits

Women in the Beira Litoral region often went barefoot to save shoes, carrying wooden clogs or slippers to put on when entering villages. They typically wore wide skirts, cotton or linen blouses, and a black hat worn over a headscarf.

Daily life

Water delivered by paid carriers

Drinking water was often delivered to homes by water carriers; in one noble household, a water carrier was paid 2$400 réis per month for this service.

Music

Guitars and violins fueled lively festivities

During social events, when festivities became lively, it was common for guests to play the guitar or violin and sing before transitioning into dances.

At the table

High cost of beef

In 1739, beef was so expensive in Sines that there were no bidders to supply it, making its sale free instead of regulated.

Getting around

Travel by foot and pack animals

In the mid-18th century, ordinary people primarily traveled on foot or used pack animals like mules, as there were almost no carriage roads for public transport. Travel was slow and difficult, with carriages like the seggia or liteira being rare, expensive luxuries for the elite.