On 8 September 2025, Sturdza Castle in Miclăușeni, Iași county, became the setting for a true journey back in time: “Journey to 1900”. Guests came dressed in the spirit of the Belle Époque, and tea was, naturally, one of the stars of the day.
A neo-Gothic castle and a bygone world
Built in the neo-Gothic style and surrounded by an old park, the Sturdza family castle keeps the atmosphere of the grand country houses of the late 19th century. The perfect place to go back to the 1900s, when an afternoon at tea meant conversation, music, fine porcelain and good manners.
Tea stories from 1900
Liliana Nestor, co-founder of the Sakura tea house and TeaLove – affectionately called “the tea fairy” by the organisers – took guests through the stories of tea from more than a century ago: how it was served, what was and wasn't proper at the table, what was discussed in the salons and how the tea dances that were all the rage in Paris and London came about.
What an afternoon at tea looked like around 1900
In the good households of the time, ladies had an “at-home day”: a particular day of the week, known to friends and acquaintances, when the hostess received visitors at set hours. Guests didn't stay long – a courtesy call lasted about a quarter of an hour – and tea, served in the drawing room, was the heart of these visits. When the hostess wasn't at home, visitors left a calling card, sometimes with one corner folded, a small code meaning they had called in person.
On the table stood a silver or porcelain teapot, fine cups, small sandwiches, cakes and candied fruit. Women wore “tea gowns”, looser than evening dress, and the conversation steered clear of politics and money: people talked about books, music, travel and the news of the town.
Tea dances
In the years before the First World War, a new fashion appeared in Paris and London: the thé dansant, or tea dance. In the lounges of grand hotels and elegant restaurants, tea was served in the afternoon and people danced – above all the tango, which had conquered Europe around 1913. It was a respectable occasion for young people to meet and dance before nightfall, under the watchful eyes of mothers and aunts. The fashion soon reached Romania's big cities too. You can read about such an evening, recreated in our own time, in Tea dance at Ghika Castle in Dofteana.
Why we keep going back to 1900
The Belle Époque fascinates us because it was a time of patience and attention to detail. A cup of tea drunk without hurry, in beautiful porcelain and in the company of people we love, is still one of the simplest pleasures we can give ourselves.
How to prepare for a 1900-style event
- For ladies: a long or midi dress with a defined waist, in pastel or cream shades, lace, fine gloves, a hat or hair ornament and, of course, a string of pearls.
- For gentlemen: a suit or waistcoat, a white shirt, a bow tie or tie, perhaps a pocket watch and a hat.
- Accessories: a fan, a parasol or a walking cane. You don't need period costume: a few well-chosen details are enough.
- Manners: just as important as dress. Read our tea etiquette rules and you'll be ready.
A 1900 tea at home
For a Belle Époque afternoon, choose an elegant black tea or a jasmine green tea, and for guests who avoid caffeine, a fruit tisane.
Frequently asked questions
What tea did people drink around 1900?
In Europe, mostly black tea from China, India and Ceylon, served plain, with milk or with lemon. Green tea was drunk far less often.
What was a tea dance?
An afternoon party where tea was served and people danced, fashionable in Paris and London in the years before the First World War.
Do you need period dress for such an event?
Not necessarily. Organisers appreciate details in the spirit of the era, but good humour and good manners matter more.
All our gatherings are on the Press & events page.