Story of traditional Finnish sauna culture

Historically sauna was a heated cave or pit to keep people warm during winter. The Finnish sauna is based on the ancient Scandinavian and medieval pan-European sauna culture, and in Eastern Finland, on the later Great Russian sauna culture.
The basic idea of ​​a sauna has remained the same for centuries. A sauna is a heated space, a separate building or part of a building. A sauna is heated with a stove containing stones. The air in the sauna is made moist by throwing water onto the hot stones in the stove. This hot, moist water vapor rising from the stove is called ”löyly”. The heat, humidity and ventilation of the sauna are regulated.

Today Finnish sauna is a cosy wood-lined building or room, warmed to a temperature of around 80-110°C (176-230°F). Smoke saunas on the other hand may only reach 60°C (140°F), because their higher humidity makes them feel hotter than they are. In sauna Finnish people relax and benefit of the healing steams: regular sauna visits are thought to improve your blood circulation and wellbeing. The Finns actually have a name for this feeling of post-sauna glow: “saunanjälkeinen”. Many studies have shown that having sauna baths lowens your blood pressure, smoothens your skin and is good for your lungs.

There are 3 main types of sauna: wood, smoke and electric, which are slightly different sauna experiences. Wood and smoke saunas are favoured because they are historically authentic. Electric stove saunas are more convenient in the city appartments and in the hotel spas. 

The wood-heated sauna is the Finnish classic. This sauna type is a popular choice with Finns at their summer cottages and in the country side. 

A smoke sauna (“savusauna”) is the oldest and rarest variety of Finnish sauna and it will require around 2 hours to prepare it. In the beginning a fire is lit, and the room is allowed to fill with smoke. In the final step when to stones in the stove are warm enough, the room is aired thoroughly to clear the smoke. Finns use very often birch branches (“vasta” or “vihta”) to beat (“whisking”) themselves gently with these birch bundles. This method improves your body fluids circulation while in the sauna. After sitting in sauna, it is good to have refreshing swim or just to go outside during winter season to cool down. 

Finnish Sauna Culture belong to Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage! 

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