Although the sauna has been a part of Finnish cultural heritage for centuries, it continues to play a strong role in the daily lives of Finns. Did you know that the Finnish sauna tradition has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list? The heating of the sauna, the related traditions and customs, and its presence in songs, beliefs, and folk tales are all part of this rich, living intangible cultural heritage.
For Finns, sauna is more than just a way to cleanse oneself – it is a ritual that combines nature, tradition, and relaxation. The sauna is designed to promote circulation, relieve stress, and provide overall well-being.
What is your favourite sauna?
The traditional wood-heated sauna provides soft and pleasant steam, while the smoke sauna represents the oldest Finnish sauna tradition. In a smoke sauna, the stove is heated for a long time without a chimney, resulting in particularly gentle and humid steam. Electric saunas, on the other hand, offer a more modern solution that allows for effortless sauna bathing.
A common tradition during sauna bathing is vihtominen (whisking), where using a birch whisk promotes circulation and adds a pleasant fragrance to the steam. You can watch how local Petri teaches how to do your own whisk here.
Smoke sauna in Lentiira Holiday Village
Cold exposure is also a key part of Finnish sauna tradition – in the summer, people move from the sauna to swim in a lake or the sea, while in winter, ice swimming or rolling in the snow adds a refreshing element to the sauna experience.
Sauna bathing is deeply rooted in Finnish life and continues to evolve while traditions remain strong. Regardless of how the sauna is heated or where it is located, sauna bathing is important to us.
Sauna and traditional treatments in Kuhmo
In Kuhmo, you can experience all kinds of saunas. Most rental cottages come with a sauna, sometimes even two: an indoor and a lakeside sauna. The Kuhmo swimming hall & Hotel Kainuu offers sauna facilities, or those seeking wellness experiences can head to Hotel Kalevala’s sauna and also enjoy the outdoor hot tub or the ice-cold waters of Lake Lammasjärvi. Lentiira Holiday Village offers cottages and an impressive smoke sauna. A smoke sauna is also available by Harakkasaari at Kalevala Juhlatakomo and can be heated upon request.
You can also enhance your sauna experience with traditional treatments, offered by Kalevala Experience. How about trying a sauna therapy treatment with 3,000-year-old peat or a Kalevala bone-setting therapy, performed by skilled practitioners in Kuhmo? Read more about traditional treatments on the Traditional healing -page.
