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The sauna is a ritual of

physical and mental health,

and is an ancient tradition

in Finland, where it is

considered an essential part

of the country’s culture.

It is a place for cultivating

relationships, meditating

and regenerating the body

and mind. The Finnish

sauna was included in

UNESCO’s intangible

cultural heritage in 2020.

Warmth where it is cold. A feeling of well-being that is Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. It is a place for cultivating
difficult to describe. But if there is a term that can explain luxury relationships, meditating and regenerating the body and mind.
in the sense of being able to enjoy a unique experience, sauna is The Finnish sauna, in particular, was included in UNESCO’s
one of them. And we are not talking about just any sauna, but one intangible cultural heritage in 2020, as it was recognised as having
experienced where this ancient tradition originated. It is not just a fundamental role in promoting well-being and community. The
wellness; it is also culture. The sauna is often found inside a spa, a transformation of a necessity into an art of quality living.
word that has two origins: an ancient one (salus per aquam, as the Since everything is transformed, modernity has led to
Latins used to say) and one linked to Spa, a Belgian town, symbol different types of saunas, each with specific characteristics. The
of thermal waters. The sauna is part of this ritual of physical and best known is the classic Finnish, dry and heated to temperatures
mental health, and is an ancient tradition in Northern Europe, between 80°C and 100°C: in this sauna, water is poured over hot
particularly Finland, where it is considered an essential part of stones to create steam, although there is an ancient variant heated
the country’s culture. Its origins date back more than 2,000 years, by a wood stove without a chimney. The Turkish hammam, on the
when local people developed this practice to cope with the harsh other hand, is heated to lower temperatures (40-50°C) with high
Nordic winters and satisfy hygienic and spiritual needs. concentration of humidity. The more modern ones, on the other
The first saunas were simple wooden huts dug into the hand, use infrared panels to heat the body directly but at lower
ground, heated with hot stones. These spaces not only provided temperatures (40-60°C). Then there is the so-called biosauna,
warmth during the winter, but also served as places to cook, sleep created in an environment that combines moderate heat (50-
and even give birth to children. The heat and steam produced 60°C) and humidity, for a more gentle experience.
created a purifying environment, considered sacred by the ancient In short, there is something for everyone; the key is to follow
Finns. Over the centuries, saunas evolved: during the Middle the tips to fully enjoy the experience: take a shower before entering
Ages, underground huts were replaced by wooden structures to cleanse the skin and enhance sweating; stay inside for 10-15
above the ground, equipped with chimneys to improve ventilation. minutes at a time, taking cooling breaks in between; drink water
This evolution coincided with an increasing use of the sauna as before, during, and after to replenish lost fluids; only use a towel
a space to socialise and relax, consolidating it as a fundamental or even go nude – as long as no one is offended, of course. Because,
part of daily life for the Nordic peoples. And this is why today the ultimately, the real secret to a great sauna experience is simple:
sauna is a cultural symbol not only in Finland but throughout savor the magical moment.

30 Lifestyle Protagonist