Why cannot the Finns live without saunas?

This love is admirable: in a country with a population of 5,5 million people there are more than 3 million saunas! The average Finn visits this heated place at least once a week, and in his own house - every day. This tradition inspires respect: a sauna in this country is literally a sacred place where both the body and the soul are purified.

There is a legend that one day, in cold and snowy weather, two brothers lost their way while hunting. They came upon a hunt lodge with a leaky roof, but they could not keep warm there because of cracks and wind. The snow fell on the stones of the heath, and the raising steam warmed the brothers and saved their lives. In fact, saunas have been known in Finland for a couple of thousand years. In ancient times, these were dugouts (“warm pits”) or huts called “kota”, made of trees trunks, birch bark and earth. These kind of dwellings were used for both living and steam-bathing. Such dwellings existed until the 19th century.

“A drugstore for the poor”

Heat and smoke kill germs and bacteria, so the sauna, even the “black” one, has always been the most sterile place in the house. Here, babies were delivered and seriously ill people were treated. Visiting the sauna regularly helps to improve blood supply, boosts the immune system and has a positive effect on skin and muscles. These facts have been known for a long time, but the researchers’ new discovery is amazing: the sauna also saves from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease! For 20 years, specialists have monitored the health of men who visit the sauna. It turned out that warming the body in the steam room for 4-6 times a week reduces the risk by 65%!

A place to socialize

A sauna is a good opportunity to socialize not only with the family, but also with neighbors, friends and colleagues. That is why in the basement of any apartment building there is a place for a sauna. And not only in houses and apartments: saunas in Finland are just everywhere. They are put on construction sites so that workers could rest and gain strength. The most imposing offices are equipped with them. Of course, any sports or spa complex is unthinkable without a sauna. Since 1937, a “Finnish sauna society” has been functioning in the country, and in 2016 the Sauna Day was formally established. Is it worth mentioning that there is a steam room for the deputies in the Finnish parliament?

A steam room at a height

The Finns are great inventors, so their love for the bath spirit has made them come up with most unusual places for saunas:

1. SkySauna on the Ferris wheel. This miracle operates in Helsinki, and a group of up to 20 people may rent it. Some of them, rising to the height of 40 meters, will enjoy the heat while the others will wait for them in the whirlpool bath or in the lounge zone.
2. Sauna Gondola in the poma lift in Lapland, Yllas. The only one in the world. The lift cabin is lined with wood and frosted glass, and inside it there is a stove with stones. This kind of structure can retain heat for 30-40 minutes. Of course, it is required to make a reservation for the Sauna Gondola beforehand: the cabin is warmed up while being prepared for the ride, and it takes only 10 minutes to mount it on the lift. On arrival, the heated guests of the sauna go directly to the hot hydro-massage pool, and all this is possible in winter, at the temperature of minus 20!

1. Floating sauna. It is neither a ship nor a barge but a real floating little house for relaxation, slowly drifting along the purest lake. This structure can hold up to 12 people at a time. The Finns have small floating saunas in their collection, and also premises with a living room and a terrace on the first floor equipped with a mini-restaurant and a bar. Just imagine: you may steam up and then freshen up immediately, literally stepping overboard to find yourself in the cool water of the lake. And then sit down to festive dinner table. Floating saunas are made entirely of wood: which is an illustrative proof that wood and water get along well!

1. The Löyly restaurant and sauna complex in Helsinki, which, according to the Times, is on the list of the world’s top 100 attractions. The building was designed by the Avanto architectural bureau and is entirely constructed of recycled wood. In one part of the complex, there is a restaurant, while in the other one, there are steam rooms and a spa zone. Löyly embodies the ecological thinking: energy is received here from the wind and the sun, firewood comes only from reusable forests and only organic products are used in the kitchen.

It now becomes clear why there are saunas in the LUMI POLAR projects of houses. There is always a place for a steam room in an authentic Finnish house!