The Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 is a time to celebrate the sauna and all it has to offer. Now more than ever, during this year-long celebration it’s time to get naked and whisk away the evil spirits in a steaming hot sauna. What’s the Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 and how can you enjoy the unique Estonian sauna culture? Let’s look closer. Unique Estonian sauna culture One of the best things to do in Estonia definitely enjoying a baking hot sauna. The sauna is a crucial part of Estonian culture and has been for centuries. As proof of that, on a walking tour in Tallinn Old Town, you can find “Sauna” street and even a medieval Sauna tower. The first written records of saunas in Estonia are found from the 13th century but in reality, the Estonian sauna traditions date back even more. Did you know that in the very beginning, all the saunas were actually smoke saunas? The chimneys were added much later and are now commonly known as the “Finnish saunas”. But let’s rewind a bit and figure out what’s a smoke sauna. Since this type of sauna has no chimney, the smoke is let out through a window. They say the lack of chimneys maintains a higher temperature for a longer period of time. Smoke sauna is now mostly found in the south of Estonia, in Võru, and is listed by UNESCO. Off to a great year of saunas The Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 couldn’t have started better. Estonian Anna Hints won the hearts of everyone at the Sundance Film Festival and got the best-directing award for her “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” documentary. The women in the film open up about the issues and experiences of womanhood in a safe place
The Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 is a time to celebrate the sauna and all it has to offer. Now more than ever, during this year-long celebration it’s time to get naked and whisk away the evil spirits in a steaming hot sauna. What’s the Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 and how can
