Finnish culture practically revolves around the sauna. Historically, it was the place where Finns washed, steamed, washed clothes, received treatment, gave birth, prepared the deceased for their last journey, or simply drank beer.
Think about it, today there are more than three million saunas in Finland, and this is for 5.5 million inhabitants! There are serious conversations about work, sex, relationships, politics and faith. It’s not just going there, life is in full swing there!
If you are planning a stay in Helsinki and are a lover of good steam, be sure to visit one of the publicly accessible Finnish public baths . And this article about seven authentic or simply charismatic saunas known outside of Helsinki will help you make a rather difficult choice, find out prices, visiting hours and individual features of specific establishments.
Public sauna Arla - “Sauna Arla”
Back in the 1920s and 1930s, during the period of industrialization, many Finns moved from rural forest areas to cities. But since hot water was rare in city apartments, most residents used public saunas. Although the situation has changed radically since then and almost most families have their own sauna and hot water in the house, the public bath system still exists today.
The famous entrance gate "Arla"
The Arla wood-burning sauna, founded in 1929, in addition to the usual relaxation in the legendary steam room, offers its visitors massage services and is one of the most famous facilities in Helsinki. The manager of the Arla complex, Kimmo Helisto, has his own opinion about what it is to steam in Finnish style and what a sauna is in Finland:
… “It’s not bright light and heat that creates its own slightly strange, but warm world. You don’t need to talk too much, because here you can be with yourself and think about your deeply personal things”...
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Arla is the second oldest, but not the most popular and recognizable bathhouse complex in Helsinki, which Wikipedia also writes about.
The harsh men's steam room has remained unchanged for many decades
On weekdays the establishment is open from 15.00 to 21.30, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 14.00 to 21.30, but entry is allowed until 20.00. Monday and Tuesday are not working days. An entrance ticket costs €12.00, with a discount for students, and the length of stay is not limited , although according to observations on average it ranges from two to two and a half hours.
Dressing room without embellishment and frills
In addition to access to the steam room, for this money you get free tea, coffee, water and a spacious wardrobe. Refreshments and snacks can be purchased for a fee. But the most valuable thing that many of those who visit this establishment for the first time note is the cozy, friendly atmosphere. In between visits to the steam room, you can go out to the secluded patio and cool off.
… “A wonderful sauna that doesn’t even try to be bigger than it actually is. One of the fading gems of the nostalgic past...
This is one of the most interesting and accurate characteristics from visitors to “Sauna Arla”, which seems to convey the essence of this oldest complex.
Which doors to choose for a Finnish sauna
It is preferable to install a wooden or glass door in a Finnish bathhouse.
When installing doors, it is necessary to pay attention to its thorough sealing. To do this, it is necessary to fill the existing gaps with a felt plate, and if there is a vestibule or dressing room, the doors do not need to be insulated additionally. It is worth noting that Finnish wooden baths have a low ceiling, just over 2 meters high. This plays a certain role when installing entrance doors. The classic sizes 2000x600–900 mm may not be suitable. You will have to make a door to order or purchase a special one - for Finnish baths. Remember that the door must open outwards!
Note! Considering that the construction of a Finnish sauna implies the absence of windows, the lighting problem needs to be solved. In this situation, the best option would be to install corner or wall lamps that will not be too bright and will not cause discomfort to vacationers.
Kaurilan sauna – “Sauna Kaurilan”
Another one of the oldest baths in Helsinki, Kaurilan, is located in a 19th-century log house. It was originally located in the nearby municipality of Tuusula, but in 1995 it was moved to the famous Old Meilahti district of Helsinki, most of the buildings of which were erected between the 1930s and 1940s.
Mysterious and kind and will accompany you everywhere
Its owner, Saara Lehtonen, who makes her own sauna equipment and organic cosmetics in a workshop not far from the main building, says she has recently seen a surge in activity among Finns seeking the social and spiritual aspects of sharing it.
… “Public saunas have always been a place where your status does not matter and everyone can relax and enjoy the beautiful, unique and even sacred atmosphere that only a steam room can offer”…
You can purchase a ticket for a visit for €16.00, the duration of the session is 2 hours. Tickets can be purchased on the website. At the same time, choose the time of visit: from 18.00 to 20.00 or from 20.00 to 22.00. If one standard session is not enough for you, then purchase two tickets for 4 hours, paying €32.00.
The real interior of old Finland creates an atmosphere of home comfort
There is also a choice for visitors: ordering only for men or only for women, or a combined option, because joint saunas in Finland are quite widespread.
In addition, group reservations are possible: 1-6 people €180/2 hours, 7-10 people €250/2 hours, 11-15 people €300/2 hours. Tickets purchased are non-refundable. You also need to print out the purchased ticket and present it at the entrance.
For those who want to feel and learn the traditions of the Finnish sauna and plunge into the atmosphere of a real village bathhouse, “Kaurilan” will be the place where all this will be possible.
Wood-burning stove and authentic design elements immerse you in the distant past
Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks to their private event. Towels, seat covers, and handmade cleaning products are provided in the cloakroom area.
If desired, it is possible to additionally purchase various homemade shampoos, creams and soaps, which are positioned as organic and free of harmful chemicals. The average cost of shampoos with a volume of 90 grams is around €15.00, and organic fruit creams of 50 grams cost about the same.
Construction from foundation to roof
You can build a Finnish sauna, especially a small one, with your own hands. The main thing is to understand the main stages and not skip any little things. To build a Finnish sauna with your own hands in the following periods:
- Selection and installation of the foundation.
- Installation of a log house.
- Roof.
- Interior decoration.
Let's look at each in more detail.
Installation and selection of foundation
Initially, it is necessary to determine the type of soil where the bathhouse will be installed. You can find out the features of geodesy yourself: dig a hole 1.5 m deep and look at the features of the soil:
- If the ground is wet and there are alternating layers, then plan a monolithic or strip foundation with a location below the freezing point of the soil.
- If clay alternates with gravel, then it will be easier to make a columnar foundation.
- If the landscape is uneven, it is easier to use screw piles.
How to properly pour different types of foundations? The main thing is to install metal anchors into the foundation. The anchors are tied to the foundation reinforcement. The harness will be attached to the anchors, so they must be strong. It’s easier to take threaded anchors; on them, the first crown is simply screwed on with a nut.
Installation of a Finnish sauna frame
The easiest way to assemble a bathhouse with your own hands is from profiled timber.
The most economical option is to assemble a bathhouse using a frame method. But if you want to get a real Finnish steam room, then it is better to take a log or timber made of moisture-resistant pine species. It is optimal to use larch, but the price of wood is high. But the bathhouse will not rot and will serve a single generation of the family.
Do not neglect ready-made baths for assembly. It’s easier to build one with your own hands. It is enough to assemble the box according to the numbers on the logs or the diagram for the timber structure.
The lower crown must be treated with antiseptic compounds, so that moisture will not enter the capillary system of the wood. The foundation is also treated with bitumen mastic and two layers of roofing material are laid on top.
If you buy an unfinished box, then before assembly you need to immediately plan: what the internal layout will be, where to install the partitions and what size the windows and doors will be.
Sauna floor installation
The wooden floor in the sauna can be laid on top of the concrete screed.
It is better to screed the floor in a dry sauna immediately after installing the sewage system. A separate foundation is installed for the furnace or placed on a common screed. In this case, the structure must be strong enough. The floor is sloped either to the center or to one side, so that the drain goes into a single pipe.
Often, sauna floors are installed with infrared or hydroheating. If you plan to lay ceramic tiles, then additional waterproofing is done on top of the screed with special compounds. It is necessary to lay wooden grates on the tiled floor in the steam room, so your feet will not freeze.
Features of the ventilation system
Diagram of various exhaust systems in a Finnish steam room.
Since the steam room in a Finnish sauna must be dry all the time, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation. To do this, air duct openings are made in each sauna room. They are placed below on the wall opposite from the stove, so that warm air does not escape to the street.
But this method is not always effective; in such cases, a mechanical ventilation system is installed. It is better if air exchange occurs between the steam room and the relaxation room. So, the warm one will heat the rooms, and oxygen will enter the steam room.
Sauna roof
The roof of the sauna is made of a gable or single slope, but of the simplest design.
The roof of a small Finnish bathhouse is pitched, with a slight slope. In some cases, gable. The choice depends on the type of roof and how the attic space will be used.
For structures where the attic will be used as a place to relax or for storing garden tools and brooms, a gable structure is made. If the sauna has an attic, then the roof and ceiling must be insulated. After installing the roof, you can begin interior finishing. An example of a built Finnish sauna can be seen in the video:
Complex "Sauna Loyly"
The complex itself has become a popular daytime destination for many Finns since its opening in May 2020. Restaurants, bars, and several notable saunas await their guests from 13.00 to 23.00, depending on the specific steam room. The complex has the ability to choose the type of steam room. You can visit a traditional smoke sauna - a black sauna or a regular wood-burning sauna.
General view of the Löyly complex from above
The general manager of the elegant, magnificently evocative Löyly complex, with a name corresponding to the untranslatable Finnish word that refers to the sound made by splashing water on hot stones (the sound of steam), Emeli Nurminen says this:
…“The key to a good sauna is that it is heated with wood, it has a large enough stove, and it has enough fresh air”…
Guests of the establishment are not allowed to bring their own drinks . If you wish, you have the opportunity to order alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks on the spot. Separate changing rooms and showers for men and women are available for guests.
One of the mandatory requirements is the wearing of swimsuits . If you don't have one, you can rent one for €6 for 2 hours. The entrance ticket for a two-hour stay costs €19. The price includes a towel, a special seat for the steam room, shampoo and shower gel. Additional stays are charged in the amount of €10 per 60 minutes.
The steam rooms at Löyly are simply a work of art, combining modern technology and ancient traditions
On Saturday the same baths are open from 8.00 to 10.00 am. Service prices are above average. The cost of visiting is also €19 per person. If you want to enjoy the steam with up to 12 people, then it is possible to rent a small wood-burning steam room. Access to the steam room is through public areas. Löyly is the most popular sauna in Helsinki by the water. Therefore, in addition to the usual shower, there is access to the sea for swimming. The rental price is: from Sunday to Wednesday €300, and from Thursday to Saturday €400 for 2 hours.
Features of the ventilation system of Finnish baths
To build a Finnish sauna correctly and then enjoy pleasant procedures, you need to carefully consider the ventilation system. Ventilation in the bathhouse should be as close to natural as possible, because any forced ventilation can cause discomfort. Therefore, for proper air exchange, it is necessary to make 2 vents, which are made in opposite walls. The air inflow point is located at a level of 30 cm from the floor, and the hood opening is 30 cm from the ceiling. The first vent must be equipped with a valve so that it is possible to regulate the incoming fresh air into the bathhouse.
City district sauna Hermanni - “Sauna Hermanni”
Located in its district of the same name, Sauna Hermanni, like many saunas in Helsinki, has its own history. It opened to serve nearby residents back in 1953.
Its current manager and owner, Mika Ahonen, strives to preserve the aesthetics and atmosphere of that time. The walls of the establishment are covered with wooden clapboards, the changing rooms are decorated with wooden panels, there are many interesting photographs and posters from the past. In general, this is not a large, compact city establishment with history and traditions.
Simple and discreet entrance to Hermanni
Manager Mika Ahonen says about his visitors:
…“Most people come after work or school and relax for two to three hours, although we have no time limits and visitors can stay until closing”…
Men's and women's doubles are located separately. You are allowed to bring your own drinks , although it is also possible to purchase drinks with a variety of snacks on the spot.
Photo of the situation in the locker room combined with the relaxation room in “Sauna Hermanni”
The cost of an unlimited visit ranges from €3 to €10: €3 for children, €8 for students, pensioners and the unemployed and €10 for everyone else. For a group booking of 5 people the cost is €35, and for 10 people €70.
Classic wood-burning steam room “Hermanni”
On weekdays, work is carried out from 15.00 to 20.00, on Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00. General sanitary maintenance is carried out on Sundays. In general, over the years of its existence, the sauna has earned a positive reputation and is in demand not only among local residents, but also among tourists visiting Helsinki. It is possible to book a steam room on the website by sending a request by email, by phone, or through a group on Facebook.
Finnish bathhouse projects
Before the bathhouse project is made, it should be taken into account that the steam room is usually built in a small size, and it has an area of about 5–10 square meters. The total space of the bathhouse can reach 40–45 square meters.
The shower or rinsing room is made small - up to 5 square meters. It is customary to combine the locker room, vestibule and rest room and allocate more space, usually at least 20 square meters.
If there is a lake or river near the bathhouse, then the pool does not need to be built. Particular attention must be paid to the choice of stove. Since the Finnish sauna is a dry steam room with a high temperature, it is better to opt for an electric one. But if you are a big fan of natural fire, then you can make a wood-burning one.
Family sauna Kotiharjun - “Sauna Kotiharjun”
Another popular and oldest washhouse in Helsinki was built in 1928. Over the decades, the basic structure and overall design remained unchanged: a men's steam room on the first floor and a steam room on the second floor. The upper steam room can accommodate 20 to 30 people.
Staying between visits to the steam room on an ordinary street is a common practice that does not bother anyone
Kotiharjun was extensively renovated in accordance with the requirements of architectural and historical traditions in 1999. The restoration was carried out under the direct control and support of the Helsinki Cultural Foundation. It is due to the careful and caring attitude that Kotiharjun has maintained its original architecture over the decades.
The modest Finnish sauna “Kotiharjun” has a modest dressing room without frills
In the main furnace, about 1500 kg of stones and about 800 kg of iron are placed in the main furnace to generate and maintain good heat and steam. On the men's side, stones are replaced several times a year! The atmosphere itself does not pretend to be sophisticated, but creates a feeling of home comfort and tranquility.
Interior of "Kotiharjun"
The work schedule is almost standard. Day off is Monday. On other days the sauna is open from 14.00 to 21.30. However, it is worth paying attention to certain non-working days, such as Father's Day, Independence Day, Mother's Day and others. The cost of a regular visit is €9.
There is a whole range of additional services. Massage - €35 for 30 minutes and €45 for an hour, manicure and pedicure from €45. It is possible to rent a steam room with an electric stove for small groups and families.
Walls and floor
For such a bathhouse, the frame must be unusually strong so that the very aggressive conditions created by the steam room do not have a detrimental effect on the structure itself.
It is best to build a sauna from timber. There is even the opportunity to purchase a ready-made set with numbered elements. But do not forget to treat the lower segments with an antiseptic.
As soon as the walls are ready, take care of thermal insulation - trim them from the inside with a heat reflector.
Sealing is very important. Hot air, as you know, is always directed upward, and if the vapor barrier is installed incorrectly, the wood of the ceiling will begin to rot. Double foil is used for this.
You should not make the floor wooden, because in a Finnish bath this is the coldest place. The wood will simply become damp and rot. The most suitable floor is made using sandwich technology: bitumen felt, concrete, tiles, movable wooden grating.
Sauna on the island of Uunisaari - “Sauna Uunisaari”
The tiny beach island of Uunisaari, which can be reached by ferry from the Helsinki pier in just a couple of minutes, carries a feeling of nostalgia and is reminiscent of the past. Already in the 19th century, a famous bathhouse in Finland was located on the island.
The popular restaurant, barbecue areas and island beaches are open to the public all year round. But the outdoor Jacuzzi is exclusively for reserved use, except on Sundays, when you can purchase a public ticket and relax between steamy sessions on the harbor-view terrace with cocktails and live music.
A holiday at Uunisaari is an opportunity to relax in the warm water of a jacuzzi right outside
The island itself is located in the south of Helsinki and is a traditional holiday destination for many local residents. The isolated rocky landscapes in the south will make you feel like you are in the middle of the ocean. The restaurant windows offer breathtaking views of the Finnish archipelago.
On the northern part of the island there is a beautiful beach with changing rooms, showers and toilets. From the north terrace you have beautiful views of the city and harbor, and there is a restaurant and bar with great cocktails. Many people note that the Yuzhn restaurant prepares excellent fresh grilled dishes.
Rest room at Sauna Uunisaari
Traditional Finnish style with hints of classic Scandinavian design creates a feeling of peace and tranquility. Probably thanks to this detail, soaring in Uunisaari is so popular. The entire furnishings are thought out to the smallest detail, and the classic steam room with a powerful stove will not leave anyone indifferent. There are a total of 2 steam rooms in the complex, with separate changing rooms and private terraces.
“Uunisaari” sauna in Finland: photo of the steam room
The sauna is open daily from 14.00 to 21.00, but it is possible to extend the work. Day off is Monday. For a group order the following prices are set: for 10 people the cost of a 2-hour visit to the steam room is €350, for 15 people the same is €350, each additional 60 minutes costs €50. Ordering a jacuzzi is made together with a steam room and will cost you €150 for 2 hours.
Saunas in Finland, Finnish sauna culture
History of the Finnish sauna
Sauna is a native Finnish word, along with such words as Nokia and Linux.
The Finnish sauna has won the love of all the inhabitants of the planet and undoubtedly deserves in-depth research. The history of sauna culture in Finland goes back about two thousand years. The design of the sauna is closely related to Finnish culture, lifestyle and local building customs. Slash-and-burn agriculture required frequent changes in settlement location, which required different solutions than in cities. The oldest saunas were all heated in black, the smoke spread throughout the room, heating it, part of the smoke was directed out through a wooden pipe or through a special hole in the wall. For Finns, the sauna is not just a hygienic procedure, but a part of national culture, a ritual that cleanses the body and soul. An old Finnish proverb says: “First build a bathhouse, and then take on the house.” This is what they do today: for example, finding themselves on the hot Sinai Peninsula, the Finnish peacekeepers first built a sauna and only then began to actually do peacekeeping. A modern resident of Finland cannot imagine life without going to the bathhouse and does it at least twice a week. Friends are invited to the sauna; business meetings, family holidays, and, more recently, corporate parties are held there.
There is hardly a house or cottage in the whole country that does not have a sauna. In Suomi there are more of them than cars: for a population of five million there are one and a half million bathhouses. Joining the prestigious Finnish Bath Society is quite difficult - some argue that becoming a member of parliament is much easier.
"Sauna" is a Finnish-Sami word. The core of the bathhouse was a heater - a pile of stones that were heated and around which they could steam under a temporary covering, similar to what the American Indians did in their steam hut. It is possible that a “sauna”-type steam bath was known back in the Stone Age about 6 thousand years ago.
The heater, which is a large pile of stones and was the original sauna hearth, continues to be used in modern “black-style” baths. It was well suited for heating homes and baths, but worse for cooking and baking. Therefore, in the 11th century, they began to use a chamber oven closed at the top for baking, and a kind of stove appeared in front of the cooking fireplace. Consequently, there were two different hearths: one was suitable for housing, the other for a bath. The bathhouse gradually turned into a room intended exclusively for washing. But some of the housework still continued to be done in the bathhouse. At the end of the 18th century in western Finland, closed brick stoves began to be installed in bathhouses, which were safer from a fire point of view than open heaters. Closed stoves had two or three nests: at the bottom there was a fire nest, in the middle there was a stone nest for steam, and at the top there was a chimney from which the smoke came out into the room.
A chimney appears in the bathhouse. The heater, which removes smoke outside, appeared at the end of the 18th century and marked a turning point in the history of the development of the heater and bathhouse. The closed heater was also equipped with a chimney: the chimney cap was lengthened, turning into a narrower chimney, equipped with a view and rising above the roof. The chimney, built on its own base, and a stove made of bricks separated from it, began to be used in the 19th century.
A stove with a smoke exhaust made it possible to build bathhouses even where a “black-style” bathhouse was out of place, for example, in an urban environment, while cities were still built of wood, and in the courtyard of a residential building there was a suitable place for a bathhouse. In the 1910s, factory production of standard heater stoves in a metal casing began. Manufacturers became interested in the “stove business”, their new models appeared on the market, and in the 1930s a completely new type of heater appeared: a continuous heating stove. In it, the wood burns in a separate chamber, and the fire and smoke do not come into contact with the stones at all, as happens in a heater with one-time heating. Thanks to this, the fire can be maintained in the hearth even while using the steam room, and the steam lasts while the wood is burning.
Map with the location of saunas in Finland. The sauna is declared a national symbol of Finland and an integral part of Finnish culture - just like Sisu, Kalevala and Sibelius.
What is a Finnish sauna
A classic sauna is a log house on the shore of a pond, so that after steaming you can throw yourself into cold water or just into a snowdrift. Today, a lake or river is replaced by a cool pool. The sauna hides many secrets.
First of all, wood. The steam room is built from coniferous wood, and only from the butt part: the walls of the sauna should emit a coniferous scent, and not ooze resin. Recently, Finns sometimes use alder, linden or some exotic species. But the traditional Finnish sauna is made of spruce and pine, which are good for toning and giving strength. Then - shelves, benches, tubs and other things that the skin comes into contact with. All of them are made from deciduous trees, so they don’t get too hot in a hot steam room. Such wood, as opposed to coniferous wood, promotes relaxation and relieves fatigue. They are smoothly planed and pleasant to the touch. And finally, about the stove-stove. The heater, which is a pile of stones, was historically the first sauna hearth, but even now it can be seen in modern “black-style” baths. In bathhouses on the shores of reservoirs, the heater is heated with wood, and in city apartments they use electricity. Saunas can be heated “black” or “white”. In modern apartments, electric heaters are usually installed.
What you need to go to the sauna
What to take with you to the sauna? First of all, time: a bath is a serious matter, requiring at least 3-4 hours. Bring two towels with you: one to sit on and the other to dry off with. You can sit on special blankets or sheets or get used to the heat of the tree with your naked body. Serious steam room lovers will not forget the felt cap on their head. It is recommended to drink herbal tea or compote in the sauna, as well as kvass. You can also grab a ladle, a brush and a washcloth.
Women in Finland will certainly pay attention to the charming national pyllyaluinen - towels on which they sit in the sauna: linen and woven, embroidered and with appliqués. Children make these towels at school during handicraft lessons.
What about swimming trunks or a swimsuit? Is it true that men and women wash together in a Finnish sauna? This was once the case, but with the influx of foreigners the rules have changed. Now joint washing is allowed only in the family steam room or in one’s own company. Usually they take turns steaming, or on “men’s” and “women’s” days. And they do it, of course, naked. The rules of good bath etiquette stipulate that when sitting on the steam room shelf, you should place a special towel. Any other behavior is considered impolite. Is a sauna dry steam? Not at all! There are few dry steam baths in Finland, and they are mainly intended for athletes and amateurs. In a regular sauna, steam is generated by throwing water from a special tub onto the heater with a ladle. Before this, a ritually polite question is often heard: “Shouldn’t I give in again?”
But what is a bathhouse without a broom? In Finland they are sold dry and even frozen, in vacuum packaging (to preserve the forest aroma). It is customary to cut branches for birch brooms in June, on a certain day and almost at a certain hour. There are brooms made of oak, eucalyptus, coniferous, as well as from mint and even rye straw. You cannot use brooms in public saunas (apparently due to cleaning problems). It’s a different matter in a private bathhouse: here you can “whip” to your heart’s content, after first soaking a broom in hot water poured into a special tub. The sauna is very hot, will there be any health problems? Doctors believe that the bath improves health. The health of the steamer improves, and, in addition, the sauna has a beneficial effect on the entire body. The usual temperature (from 90 to 100 degrees) may seem extreme, to put it mildly. For children and the elderly, there are also “warm” baths, with a temperature of 50–60 C. Beginners should not plunge into ice water or even a cool pool. For those who can’t wait to show off their prowess, I’ll quote a Finnish proverb: “It’s better to be a live pig than a dead walrus.”
You can only drink non-alcoholic drinks in the sauna. But after the bathhouse, why not have a sip of beer? Or, say, sakhti - a special type of beer prepared according to an old recipe. For high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and vascular spasms, a sauna is even recommended. But during an exacerbation of diseases, it is better to postpone the joys of bathing. In a word, feel free to go to the Finnish sauna! And then try to find words to express your delight.
Tourism and recreation – Finnish sauna
The sauna is a national treasure of Finland.
Finland is a country of bathhouses, and the Finns are bathhouse-loving people. Residents in Finland are 5.1 million, and baths are 1.7 million, i.e. one bathhouse for three residents. The bathhouse is considered an original Finnish phenomenon, but it is not a Finnish invention and does not belong only to Finns. In the second half of the 19th century, on the Old Continent, people took steam in bathhouses on a single territory stretching from the Baltic Sea far to the Ural Mountains. Bathhouse is a common occurrence among other Finnish peoples of the Baltic region: Estonians, Karelians, Vepsians, Livs. In addition to them, bath lovers include many Slavic, Baltic (Latvians, Lithuanians), Turkic-Tatar, as well as eastern Finno-Ugric peoples. A traditional sauna is a wooden building where steamers sit on a shelf, throw water onto the hot stones of the heater and steam with birch brooms.
Of the Finnish words, the most famous in different languages of the world is “sauna” (bath), although according to the Finns it is not always used in the correct meaning. The expression “go to the bathhouse” means both a visit to the bathhouse and the entire bathhouse procedure. It involves the process of sweating from the heat of the heater and the steam of water thrown onto the stones, in Finnish “löyulü”. (In the Finnish language there are two different words for “steam” - höyry - “höyuryu” and löyly - “löyulyu”. The first is steam in general, for example, from water boiling in a boiler, the second is the quickly formed steam from water thrown on heated stones of the heater.) So, it is löyly - “lyoyul” that is the spirit of the bathhouse. Löyly is a Finno-Ugric word that has been used in the Finnish language for 7 thousand years.
Finns are not the only steamers on the globe. Similar bathhouse buildings and customs are known among many cultures (Roman, Turkish, Celtic bathhouse, Indian “sweat tent”, Japanese “furo”, Russian “banya”, Mexican “temazcal”). The Finns can be considered special bath attendants because they have kept the bath tradition alive and adapted it to a modern way of life. Thanks to the fact that the Finns preserved, developed and promoted the sauna, it spread throughout the world under the trademark “Made in Finland”.
Modern Kulttuurisauna - “Sauna Kulttuurisauna”
Created in 2013 by designer Nene Tsuboi and architect Tuomas Toivonen, this wood-heated waterside sauna in Helsinki takes its stylistic cues from the ideas of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, who was an ardent believer in the purity and dignity of the sauna.
Follow just a few local rules and you'll feel the process is respectful and spiritual: no private parties, no groups of more than 3 people, no alcoholic beverages .
“Kulttuurisauna” does not amaze with its volume and grandeur, but is extremely popular
The establishment has separate sections for men and women, but swimsuits and towels are prohibited in the steam room, and photography of interior views is also prohibited. A huge plus for some is the real opportunity to swim naked in the cold Baltic Sea after a good steam, for example, in November when the air temperature drops to zero.
Entrance to the kulttuurisauna complex
Opening hours are daily from 16.00 to 21.00, but the last visitors are allowed until 20.00. Monday and Tuesday are days off. The cost of admission for students and pensioners is €12, for everyone else – €15. It is possible to purchase a seven-time weekly ticket for €70.
The kulttuurisauna complex uses wood stoves
The Helsinki saunas presented in this review are varied in shape, age, services provided and individual rules of use. However, there is no doubt that what they have in common is the love with which they are made, a reverent attitude towards the traditions of soaring and care for visitors. And every traveler will be able to choose the option that will not leave him indifferent and will make visiting the steam room unforgettable.
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Materials
As a last resort, a large cylindrical wooden structure - a barrel - is suitable. But ideally, a sauna of this type is built with your own hands from stone, brick or wood. In any case, the interior decoration should be made exclusively of wood.
What you will need to build a Finnish sauna:
- Double layer of roofing material for waterproofing.
- Wooden posts and beams (80 × 80, 120 × 120 mm). Frame or log walls best perform the function of thermal insulation.
- Boards (linden, birch or aspen) 30 mm thick are suitable for walls.
- Foil, polyethylene or parchment - for vapor barrier.
- Mineral wool – for thermal insulation.
- Felt - for insulating the door.
- Concrete and tile flooring.
This is not so little, but if you try to save money by getting rid of at least one material, the sauna will not be able to fully perform its main function.
Bake
When purchasing an electric oven, consider the ratio of the dimensions of the steam room and the power of the device.
When using a wood stove, leave space for the consumable fuel. Do not position the fireplace so that the person in the steam room is exposed to the main flow of heat from the stove while relaxing in the sauna. Take care of the protective railings in front of the stove.
If you doubt your capabilities, use the services of competent specialists or consult with experts.
