Sauna
Photo: Pekka Halonen, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
A sauna is a bathing facility where sweating in a hot room is an essential part of the cleaning procedure. The word is Finnish and the Finnish sauna is famous. There are "Finnish" saunas all around the word, some true to their name, some indeed not. There are also similar traditions in other parts of the world, such as bathing tents in many cultures, the Korean Jjimjilbang and the Roman and Turkish baths.
Sauna is used for getting clean, but very much also to relax and socialize.
Though sauna-bathing is traditionally done nude in groups, e.g. the Finnish do not associate saunas with sex. However, in some countries with no domestic sauna tradition, the term "sauna" may also be used for certain venues for sexual encounters; the term gay sauna is always used in that way, for men looking for same-sex encounters.
Finnish saunaIf tar, liquor and sauna do not cure; the disease is fatal
Sauna in other countriesThe sauna culture in parts of Russia is similar to the Finnish, with their sauna called banya (баня).
Stay safeAnyone who's elderly or has a medical condition (especially high blood pressure) should consult their physician before using a sauna.g. dehydration and timing of medications can be important issues.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Sauna" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Pekka Halonen, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons