Land Travel During the Renaissance
For most people during the Renaissance traveling by land was limited to the local fair or farmer’s market. Most peasants did not have the time, resources or reasons to travel far from their homes or farms. And getting from point A to point B by land during the Renaissance was not easy. Roads were little more than rocky pathways, and could be dangerous, with bandits waiting to pounce on unsuspecting travelers. For this reason the very wealthy traveled with dozens of men-at-arms for protection.
Common vehicles for traveling on land during the Renaissance included horses, pack mules, wagons and for the wealthy, coaches. The most common way to get around on land was on foot. And it was usually the most efficient. Carts and wagons were slow and cumbersome. Traveling by horseback was the fastest way, but only the wealthy had horses for riding and if a person was traveling any great distance, they would need a fresh horse about every 12 miles.
Travelers in need of over night accommodations could rent a bed at roadside inns. These establishments were extremely expensive and the sleeping conditions, less than ideal. Often two or three strangers would have to share a single bed, which could be infested with fleas and lice.
Water Travel During the Renaissance
Merchants, missionaries, soldiers, students and pilgrims were the most likely to use sea travel during the Renaissance. As trade and exploration increased during the Renaissance, overseas travel became more popular. Though you could travel to distant lands by ship, it was not without serious dangers. Storms could easily sink a ship and pirates were always a problem.
In many parts of Western Europe, water travel was also popular for short distances. Rivers, canals and lakes offered much quicker travel time than by land. However, if a barge was trying to travel against the current, it could take three times as long then going downstream. Tolls along the river or canal would slow travel down even more, if there was a line at the crossing. River travel was not always reliable, either. In dry times water levels could drop too low for barges or boats.
Travel Trade in the Renaissance
One of the main reasons for any traveling was for trade. Spices, textiles, grain and animals were just a few of the items that had to be moved in bulk. Merchants moved merchandise along river barges, which were often pulled along by horse walking along the riverbank. For safety reason merchants traveling by land often traveled in large caravans of wagons and pack mules.
Sources:
Sider, Sandra. Handbook to Life in Renaissance Europe. New York: Facts on File, Inc. 2005
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