Russian Banya (or bania) is a traditional Russian steam bath-house.
Russian banya was first mentioned in the chronicles in the 10th century, and since then it
has always played a significant role in the life
of Russian people. Banya was always visited on Saturdays and before religious holidays.
It was very important to clean up before going to the church.
Banya was used for many purposes - washing, giving birth to children, fortune-telling
during Christmas-tide, etc. Of course, the main purpose was to relax and to wash oneself.
Even Emperors of Russia liked to go to banya. And it is known that when Peter the Great
was in Paris, at his command a big banya was built on the banks of the Seine, and the citizens
of Paris were shocked to see Russian people running out of banya into the river.
Russian banya was usually built on the banks of either the lake or the river.
It was a one-storeyed building consisting of three rooms - steam room,
washing room and dressing room. In the middle centuries black banya was widely spread in
Russia. It didn't have a chimney and a proper stove,
that's why all the walls and the ceiling were always black because of the smoke.
Today it is difficult to find a real black banya, so it
is a unique experience not only for foreigners but also for Russians themselves.
Later people started to build stoves with big chimneys in banyas, and "white" banya appeared in Russia.
Nowadays people build banyas in the villages and near their
summer houses outside of the city, try to find a good place for banyas closer to the lake or
river or another water reservoir. In some regions in northern Russia Finnish sauna is also popular.
There is a tradition of jumping into the water in summer or even into an ice-hole in winter
after getting steamed thorouhgly in the steam-room.
Russian banya is believed to cure some diseases. Some people when they catch cold go to banya
to get some warmth and to get rid of the infection.
Russians take besoms made of birch leaves, juniper or oak leaves. They beat themselves or each
other with besoms and blood starts to circulate faster.
Today Russian banya is more like an entertainment activity rather than a part of life for most
Russians. There is a special ceremony of going to banya for several hours,
relaxing with a cup of tea (couple of beers) afterwards.
Visiting Russian banya is a unique opportunity to feel the old Russian tradition which survived
till our days.
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