Deep, evolving roots of Finnish sauna culture
Finnish sauna culture intrigues many, with its unique evolution from prehistoric times to the homes and cabins of present-day Finns. Connection with nature has always been an integral part of the Finnish sauna experience.
While sitting in the heat and silence of the sauna, in particular, thoughts can flow freely and sometimes they do drift to wondering how old this tradition is and when the first saunas were built in Finland.
There isn’t a clear answer to those questions, but it is safe to say that saunas have been part of Finnish life for as long as any form of shelters have been built up here in the cold, snowy Northern latitudes. The earliest saunas were simple pits in the ground, covered by a roof. And while the emergence of Finnish sauna is shrouded with uncertainty, what is clear is that the concept has its roots deep in the Finnish soil and its atmosphere echoed in the national folklore.
Therefore, sauna is something much more than just ‘sweat bathing’, a fact that holds true in many other cultures as well. For example, Native Americans had their own steam saunas, where sweating served both cleansing and spiritual purposes. In the Balkans, traditional baths have long used heat and steam to promote health and well-being. While these saunas bear some resemblance to the Finnish sauna, what makes the Finnish version unique is how it has remained a central part of everyday life for such a long time, even today.
From earth pits to building blocks
Considering that there are 5 million people and 3.2 million saunas in Finland, it is perhaps safe to say that Finnish sauna culture is vibrantly alive even today. But why has sauna retained its exceptional significance in daily life of the Finns? It comes down to how sauna culture has adapted to different eras. Initially, saunas were simple earth pits, but over time they evolved into log-built smoke saunas. The addition of chimneys to these smoke saunas marked a major shift, making the sauna experience more practical and safer.
In the 20th century, as urbanisation took off, saunas followed people from the countryside to cities. Communal neighbourhood saunas and saunas in apartment buildings became familiar to city dwellers. These saunas were not just places to clean oneself, but also vital social hubs where neighbours met and caught up with each other.
Technological advancements have also influenced the sauna’s development. The traditional wood-heated sauna has gradually given way to electric saunas, which have made the experience more accessible. However, for many Finns, a true sauna experience still comes with the crackling of a fire and the smell of smoke spreading over a lakeside landscape–nature close by and silence all around.
Sauna and nature – an inseparable pair
Saunas have always been built to blend harmoniously with their natural surroundings. A sauna is not just a structure in nature; it is of nature itself. Wood, fire, water, and stone are integral to the sauna’s essence. Through these elements, the Finnish sauna connects the bather with nature in a way that might not fully reach the conscious mind but is felt deep in the body.
The charm of the Finnish sauna lies in its simplicity and modesty. It doesn’t boast – it is quiet and dim, a place where stress and the pressures of life melt away. It is where the mind rests and the body cleanses. Finns have preserved this tradition strongly, and sauna-going remains a vital part of both everyday life and special occasions.
Despite the hustle and bustle of modern life – or perhaps because of it – people still seek out the sauna to pause, disconnect, and find peace. This ancient tradition lives on, its unique connection to the Finnish way of life passed down from generation to generation.
Many Finns, including us at Hawkhill, warmly welcome people from other cultures to experience authentic Finnish sauna moments. It’s not difficult. All it takes is a bit of curiosity and those typical Finnish moments where no one speaks, and everyone simply – is present.
