The birthplace of modern saunas that continue to spread. There, almost every single home has a sauna, and the ritual of sweating is part of the national identity.
The sauna tradition in Sweden can be traced back thousands of years to the Sami people of northern Scandinavia. The Swedish word for sauna is bastu, and the act of going to the sauna is basta.
A key part of the banya experience is being gently (or vigorously) massaged with a venik, a bundle of birch or oak twigs. This stimulates circulation, improves skin health, and releases a pleasant aroma from the leaves.
People believed that saunas were sacred spaces, where prayers were said, and rituals for health and fertility were performed. In Latvia, the sauna is called pirts, and in Lithuania, it’s called pirtis.
Norway is famous for its floating saunas. These saunas are built on pontoons and float on the water, allowing users to jump directly into the sea or lake for a cold plunge. In many Norwegian rural cabins (hytte), saunas are still wood-fired, providing a rustic and traditional experience.
Iceland is known for its geothermal activity, and many saunas in the country use natural geothermal heat. Hot springs and geothermal waters are abundant, and many saunas and spas incorporate this renewable energy source to provide a sustainable and soothing sauna experience.
In both Austria and Germany, saunas are typically textile-free zones, meaning people are expected to be naked while using the sauna. This is seen as a hygienic practice, and it’s very common in public saunas. However, towels are used to sit on for comfort and cleanliness.
Japan has its unique sauna experience called ganbanyoku, or “stone sauna.” In a ganbanyoku, people lie on heated slabs of stone, typically made from volcanic rock, which emit far-infrared rays to heat the body.
The hammam is the traditional form of a sauna-like experience. It is a steam bath combined with a cleansing process. It’s deeply rooted in Ottoman and Islamic culture and has been a part of Turkish life for centuries.
The tradition of sauna in Hungary can be traced back to ancient times, influenced by the Turkish occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Turkish brought their own bathing culture, which laid the groundwork for the Hungarian sauna tradition.
While modern saunas in China often follow Western styles, there is also a growing interest in incorporating traditional Chinese elements, such as using Chinese herbs and oils in the sauna environment to combine the benefits of both cultures.
In South Korea, saunas are often found in jjimjilbangs, which are large, multi-purpose public bathhouses. Jjimjilbangs offer not only saunas but also a variety of other facilities, such as hot baths, cold baths, steam rooms, relaxation areas, and even entertainment and dining options.
Our journey from Northern to Eastern Europe, and finally to Asian countries, will be culturally and educationally enriching.
We will explore the relationship between sauna traditions and modernism in all these nations, as well as intriguing information and ideas!
…where history, health and well-being meet, join us on this journey!
Whether you’re a long-time fan or someone curious to learn more, The World of Sauna promises a series that will warm not only the body, but also the soul!
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