Adolph, 10th Prince of Schwarzenberg

Adolph Schwarzenberg was a notable landowner, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the eldest son of Johann and Therese Schwarzenberg, née Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg. An outspoken opponent of the Nazi regime, his properties were seized by the German Reich and by Third Czechoslovak Republic shortly before the Communist coup of 1948.

Intricate apron embroidery

Peasant women created aprons with elaborate embroidered blossom borders that could take an experienced worker more than a full week to complete.

Men's work jacket

Men frequently wore a short, waist-length, form-fitting jacket called a spenzl for work, which was typically blue or red and lacked a collar.

Paying six kreutzers for a song

At local village feasts, musicians were paid six kreutzers per song. Some attendees would dance all day without paying, leading to frequent fights with the young people who hosted the events.

Harpist hired for tavern dances

A blind harpist from the village of Syrovín continued to be hired by local youths to play at tavern dances until around 1890. It was common for folk musicians to perform for intimate occasions, sometimes playing alone while singing and stomping to keep the rhythm.

Faster travel between Vienna and Graz

Taking the train from Vienna to Graz took nine hours, which was a significant improvement over the twenty-nine hours required by post coach.

Horse-drawn railway journey and restaurant stop

The horse-drawn railway from České Budějovice to Linz took 14 hours, with a midday break at the Kerschbaum station, which hosted the first railway restaurant in Europe.

Homemade lighting and fire safety precautions

In the 19th century, the cheapest source of light was a simple wooden piece known as a torchlight, which burned for about ten minutes and had to be constantly replaced. To prevent fire in wooden homes, children kept the light over a vessel filled with water so the burning end would drop safely into it.

Bathing rituals in the household

Families used a single tin bathtub brought into the kitchen, which was filled with water heated on a stove. To conserve resources, the entire family bathed in the same water, typically with children going first, followed by the wife, and finally the husband.

Coffee substitutes for families

When coffee was too expensive, families brewed substitutes from ingredients like chicory, malt, or rye.

Meat consumption habits

Working-class families typically ate meat only twice a week, usually on Saturdays and Sundays.

Food and footwear prices

At the turn of the century, 1 kilogram of bread cost 0.20 to 0.30 crowns, and 1 kilogram of pork cost 1.20 to 1.50 crowns. A pair of shoes was priced at 5 to 10 crowns, which was a significant expense for a modest family.

Worker earnings and housing costs

In 1900, an average worker earned between 60 and 120 crowns per month, while mid-19th-century workers typically brought home about 20 gold coins monthly. Rent often consumed nearly half of these earnings.

Common Skilled Trades

The most common skilled trades included shoemakers, bakers, tailors, carpenters, locksmiths, plumbers, butchers, barbers, and glaziers.

Difficult Living and Working Conditions

In a Prague glove workshop, inspectors found 20 apprentices for only 26 workers, while some bakers locked their apprentices in cellar dormitories at night to prevent theft. Workers in Vienna often spent up to one-third of their earnings just on rent for cellar or attic dwellings.