Why did cities smell so horribly in the 15th century?

Answer 1

No sewage system. People used to just throw their wastes in the streets.

Answer 2

Because it was part of the Middle Ages and hygiene did not play a huge role back then. People fell ill and died frequently, and their bodies were often discarded in the streets, as were all varieties of waste and fecal matter. With all of those things conglomerated in the streets, plus the large volume of bodies crammed into one place, it is inevitable that the cities would reek.

Answer 3

they did not have an adequate sewage system nor garbage system in place. I also imagine that another contributing factor was that people at the time were not as aware of the dangers of bad hygene.

Answer 4

All the above and people hardly ever bathed PLUS all kinds of domestic animals roaming the streets.

Answer 5

Let's see, no sewage system whatsoever, rats crawling around with pestulince and barely anyone took baths, that enough?

Answer 6

Ahhh, you know. Sewage, dead animal parts, garbage, lack of bathing, little cleaning of homes and streets, homes made of mud and cow patties, rot, mold, etc.

Answer 7

There were no municipal sewage systems, and personal hygiene was practically non existent.

Answer 8

no sewage management. people threw waste down the streets and people would just walk around it. thats how the black plague started.

Answer 9

No proper sewage management.

Answer 10

Because of the smell of rotting dead flesh of black death victims.