The Estonian sauna is far more than a place to relax, sweat, and cleanse the body. Long before modern wellness culture and spa concepts emerged, sauna held deep spiritual, social, and practical meaning in Estonia, shaping everyday life from birth to death.
Today, this worldview still resonates. Estonia shows that real impact does not come from scale or spectacle, but from authenticity, craftsmanship, and quality—whether in technology, architecture, or sauna design.
Ancient Roots and Earthly Connection
Ancient roots of the Estonian sauna lie in pre-Christian, pagan traditions that regarded the sauna as a sacred and purifying space. The word saun belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family, connecting Estonians with Finns, Karelians, Votes, and other nature-based cultures around the Baltic Sea.
Although written history is limited, historical accounts from as early as the 1200s describe how Balto-Finnic tribes used the sauna not only for washing but for spiritual cleansing. The Livs, for example, were said to wash off their Christian baptism after sauna rituals, viewing the sauna as a more authentic place of purification.
For centuries, the sauna was also the cleanest and most sterile building on a farm. This is why women often gave birth there and why healing rituals took place within its walls.
Sauna as a Sacred and Living Space
Sauna as a sacred space played a central role in life’s most important transitions. Birth, healing, preparation for death, and farewell rituals all took place in the sauna, making it a place where the entire human life cycle unfolded.
Beyond its spiritual role, the sauna was also a practical living space. Among poorer rural families, people sometimes lived in the sauna year-round, and farmhands were often housed there.
The sauna was believed to be inhabited by the “saunatont”, or sauna spirit, who ensured balance and order. Because of this, respectful behavior, calmness, and silence were expected inside the sauna.
The Heart of the Ritual: The Smoke Sauna
The heart of traditional Estonian sauna culture lies in the smoke sauna, known as suitsusaun. Unlike modern saunas, smoke saunas have no chimney, allowing smoke to fill the room during heating.
During the heating process, doors and shutters were kept open to let smoke escape. Once heating was complete, the first harsh black steam—called karm—was thrown and released, after which the sauna was carefully ventilated and sealed to retain heat.
Smoke saunas are characterized by soot-darkened walls, a rich smoky scent, and exceptionally soft, long-lasting leil. This unique atmosphere encourages slowness, silence, and deep presence.
The cultural value of this tradition has been internationally recognized, with the Võromaa smoke sauna tradition added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
Saturday Sauna Evenings and Community
Saturday sauna evenings were a cornerstone of traditional Estonian life. Nearly every farm had its own sauna, which was typically heated on Saturday evenings.
On sauna evenings, all other household work was set aside, and the entire family dedicated time to the ritual. Sauna was not a quick activity but a shared experience that marked the rhythm of the week.
In the 18th century, men and women often bathed together, sometimes with the whole family. Later, bathing times became separated, with men entering first when the sauna was hottest and smokiest, followed by women.
Steam and Whisking Rituals
Steam and whisking were considered more important than washing itself. Cleanliness was secondary to the experience of heat, steam, and ritual body treatment.
Whisking—the practice of gently striking the body with young birch branches—was believed to be highly beneficial for health. Proper whisking began from the soles of the feet and gradually covered the entire body.
The rhythmic movement, heat, and scent of fresh leaves improved circulation, relieved muscle tension, and strengthened the connection to the forest.
The Importance of Sauna for Health
The importance of sauna for health was widely recognized in traditional Estonian society. Sauna was used regularly to strengthen the body and relieve illness.
People engaged in heavy physical labor, especially farm work, found relief from muscle and joint pain through heat, steam, and whisking.
When someone was ill, the sauna was sometimes heated even on Thursdays—outside the usual weekly rhythm—specifically for healing purposes.
Customs and Seasonal Traditions
Customs and special occasions were closely tied to sauna rituals. In many regions, weddings included ceremonial sauna visits, such as the bride’s sauna before marriage or the couple’s first sauna together.
Brides arriving at their new home often brought offerings to the sauna, such as gloves or belts, as a sign of respect.
Seasonal customs were equally rich. At Christmas, straw might be spread on the sauna floor, protective symbols drawn on doors, or playful figures sent to scare children. Sauna whisks were even used for fortune-telling.
Practical Functions of the Sauna
Practical functions of the sauna extended far beyond bathing. Saunas were used to smoke meat, strengthen textiles, and dry grain, malt, clothes, and fishing nets.
In some regions, saunas even served as animal shelters, particularly for sheep, which were moved out only for sauna evenings.
The sauna also provided shelter for poorer families and hired farm laborers, reinforcing its role as a multifunctional and essential building.
The Sauna as a Respected Sacred Place
The sauna as a respected sacred place required proper conduct. The sauna’s location itself was considered holy, and new saunas were traditionally built on the same consecrated spot.
It was believed that hot sauna steam brought good fortune to household work and even fishing. Behavior inside the sauna had to be calm, polite, and respectful.
The sauna completed the human life cycle. It was the place where women gave birth, the sick were healed, and the deceased were prepared for their final journey—making it one of the most meaningful spaces in Estonian culture.
A Return to Presence and Modern Meaning
A return to presence defines the Estonian sauna experience today. Whether in a traditional smoke sauna or a modern, thoughtfully designed space, the purpose remains the same: arrival.
Modern Estonian sauna culture balances tradition with innovation, emphasizing correct proportions, proper ventilation, and heaters that create soft, lingering steam.
Rooted in ancient wisdom yet expressed through contemporary design, the Estonian sauna continues to offer something deeply relevant—a place to disconnect, recharge, and reconnect with nature and oneself.
References:
Habicht, Tamara (2014). Eesti saun. Saunakombed meie pärimuskultuuris. Tea kirjastus.
Margna, Epp (2012). Suitsusaun on eluviis. Eesti Loodus, 2012, 6-7.