What is Russian sauna culture like? What do I need to know about Russian saunas? Do I have to go in naked or should I use a towel or a swimming costume? What role does sauna hat play in the Russian sauna culture? What are the main differences between Finnish and Russian saunas?
Russian sauna history
Just like Finland, Russia has a long sauna history. Nestor’s letopis (the Russian Primary Chronicle) describes bathing in the Russian way as early as 1113. It describes how the Russians used to bathe in small, hot cottages and use birch whisks.
Rudolf Sykiäinen’s book explains how Russians sometimes used baking ovens as saunas. After baking, they crawled through the small opening into a large baking oven, spread straw on the bottom, and threw water on the walls. They came out to cool down and went back again for another round!
Aristocracy and gentry had access to princely spas. There were many kinds of ceremonies associated with the sauna. The Tsar was said to have seven bath helpers: towel cleaners and back washers, each with their own duties.
It was customary to take a sauna once a week, as well as before parties, weddings and after weddings. The Tsar’s Court organized large dinners in the banyas. They ate and enjoyed the sauna all night long.
The Russians were born and died in the sauna, just like the Finns.
Russian sauna is “banya/banja”
There are many similarities between Finnish and Russian sauna cultures. However, they are slightly different. It is often claimed that a Russian sauna is more humid and a Finnish sauna drier. The Russian sauna is called banya. A smoke sauna is called a black banya and a sauna with a chimney is a white banya. Once the banya is heated, there is no need to add firewood.
So called “folk saunas” (public saunas) have been on the decline in Russia. They do not attract as many visitors as they used to. However, veterans, students and those who do not have their own sauna still visit these saunas regularly. Maybe public saunas will come back to fashion?
Banya is quite similar in structure to a Finnish sauna. Banya has benches and a stove right next to the door. The old Russian sauna was not heated as hot as it is today (100 ° C). The relative humidity is higher than in a Finnish sauna.
The Russians are not quite as steam-focused as the Finns. However, they do use a lot of water in the sauna (for sauna whisks etc.) which makes the sauna more humid.
There are also electric saunas in Russia that resemble a Finnish sauna and are called saunas (instead of banyas) or “finskaja”.
Sauna whisk is called “venik”
Sauna whisks are called venik in Russian. In addition to birch, oak and juniper are used for the whisks. They are either combined with birch twigs or used on their own. The Russians love their sauna whisks.
Russian sauna culture
Sauna hat
In Russian sauna culture, a sauna hat is one of the sauna rituals. You can’t go to the sauna without a sauna hat. In a hot sauna, especially on higher benches, the ears burn easily without a hat. So, I highly recommend bringing a sauna hat if you visit a Russian sauna. Sometimes you can borrow a hat or, if you are lucky, even get one gifted.
Who takes the sauna?
Usually men. However, women also go to the sauna and do sauna treatments, such as exfoliations etc. However, there are more services available for men. Men spend more time in the sauna and thereby bring more money to the spas.
Women may wear swimsuits; men are mostly naked.
Where are the saunas?
Saunas can be found in hotels, spas, gyms in private homes. Banyas are usually public saunas with their own receptionist. They offer a variety of services such as back washing or massages.
Russia has many different, fascinating saunas; underground saunas have been dug into riverbanks, peat saunas have been built on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in Siberia saunas have been built of clay. The nomads have used tent saunas.
Sauna elf or Bannik
The Russian sauna elf is called Bannik. Saunas have a long history which includes old habits, beliefs and magical creatures. According to one belief, only three groups of bathers can visit the sauna in one evening. If a fourth group comes in, Bannik gets angry and throws glowing stones at them.
The last bather leaves Bannik a bar of soap and water, so he can bathe as well.
When a child was born, Bannik had to be kept away. Sadly, I do not know how or why. Do you have any idea?
Sauna vocabulary English-Russian
Sauna – Banya
Steam room – parilka
Stove – Kamenka
Smoke sauna, black sauna – tsrornoje Banya
Sauna with chimney, white sauna – belyje Banya
Sauna whisk – Venik
There is a lot of discussion amongst sauna enthusiasts about where sauna is originally from. From Finland, Russia, or somewhere else? Some believe that the Finnish and Russian saunas are of Roman origin. There used to be a European sauna culture that was presumably inspired by the Romans.
I do not know if there will ever be an answer to this debate. The Russian and Finnish saunas are at least very similar.
Are you interested in other sauna cultures? The blog also provides comprehensive information on other sauna cultures. Why not start with German sauna culture?
Read more: German sauna culture
