Anna Maria Radziwiłł

At the table

Meat was a rare treat for peasants

While wealthy city dwellers consumed meat regularly, ordinary families and peasants relied primarily on grain-based dishes like bread and porridge, eating meat only on rare occasions.

What people wore

Simple Leather Footwear Was Commonplace

For footwear, ordinary city residents and peasants often wore naginės, which were simple, plain-soled shoes crafted from animal skin. In warmer months, many of the common people would frequently walk barefoot.

Getting around

Travel costs and vehicle mishaps

In the 17th century, wealthy travellers sometimes hired local guides, such as Tartars, to transport goods for a fee of four guilders. Broken wheels and vehicle breakdowns were considered a major misfortune that could necessitate repairs or the purchase of a new carriage.

What it cost

Cost of sauerkraut in 17th century Lithuania

In the mid-17th century, a barrel of sauerkraut cost 3 groschen.

Music

Traditional instruments in daily life

Kanklės were traditionally played by men, often accompanied by singing or other instruments like bagpipes or pipes during weddings and tavern festivities. Musicians were frequently rewarded with small donations for performing at church festivals and gravesites.

Daily life

Modest Peasant Wooden Homes

Peasant homes were modest wooden structures with straw roofs and windows covered with animal bladder or greased paper. Inside, furniture was simple, consisting mostly of tables and benches, the latter also serving as beds for sleeping.