Traditional saunas have been an integral part of Finnish culture for thousands of years. They involve more than just washing, but also cleansing the body, mind, and giving one a sense of inner peace. They also have been known as 'churches of nature' in Finland. When water is poured on heated stones, the löyly spirit is released.
A sauna is an ancient phenomenon. Although the earliest instances were recorded in European bathhouses in 7000 BC, Finnish bathing practices weren't well documented for most of history. Nestor the Chronicler wrote about the sauna customs of the Finns in 1112. Nestor described "hot wooden saunas where naked bathers beat themselves with branches and then poured cold water on themselves". During the Reformation in Scandinavia, European bathhouses were destroyed, and saunas became popular in other countries.
Finnish people have used saunas for centuries because they are so versatile. When Finns moved into Finland, the first thing they did was build a sauna. They used it to live in, eat in, treat matters of hygiene, and most importantly, give birth in a sterile environment. Unlike other more densely populated places in Europe, wood wasn't an issue in Finland.
In such a cold climate, saunas provide warmth for people for a short time. But they are also popular in the summer. In Finland, saunas are an integral part of everyday life. The tradition of taking a sauna is a part of the national identity. Saunas are usually taken once a week. Saturday is traditionally sauna day. Whenever Finns travel abroad, they love to have a good sauna.
There are three basic types of saunas: Individuals, couples, or families go to a sauna in separate rooms. Mixed saunas are the most common for younger people, and they are quite rare for older people or on formal occasions. It is common for teenagers to stop going to the sauna with their parents after some point.
Saunas come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as electric, wood-heated, smoke-filled, and infrared. It is common for saunas to be passed down in families. Sauna clubs and universities are ideal places to share knowledge. In a country with over 5 million people, there are over 3.3 million saunas.
Although traditional public saunas almost disappeared in the 1950s, private initiatives have resulted in the construction of new public saunas in recent years. Most detached houses in Finland have saunas, and many apartment buildings have communal saunas. Finns are now installing private saunas in their flats, keeping the tradition alive.