Sauna: origins, history and traditions
Born in Finland, the sauna has very ancient origins: it seems that its creation took place around 1100. The first saunas were built and used mainly for being winter residences. Originally it was a simple hole in the ground, around which a hut was built, then covered with earth. Inside was then set up a pile of stones, a sort of coarse fireplace under which the fire was lit.
Winter homes
These primitive saunas were used as dwellings during the colder months. The heat allowed to perform the typical functions of a dwelling. With the fireplace you could cook and smoke meat and fish. By pouring snow on the incandescent stones steam was generated to heat the environment and clean the body. The structure underwent a constant evolution over time: it became more sophisticated taking the form of an oven. The Finns began to build wooden cabins, equipped with an electric stove.
Dry sauna
The dry sauna corresponds to a room covered with linden, pine, fir, alder or poplar. The wood used for its construction is not subjected to any treatment to prevent the chemical compounds can then disperse into the air due to high temperatures. The temperature is regulated so that it is always between 80 and 90, i.e. between 80 and 90. The heat is generated by pouring water on hot lava stones, creating steam that regulates humidity between 10 and 20%. The real dry sauna does not require the use of any aroma, nor of relaxing music and is poorly lit.
