Before wellness was a trend: a short history of sauna
From practical bathing spaces to places of connection, sauna has a story far older than the modern spa.
An everyday essential
Long before sauna became a feature of gyms and luxury retreats, it served everyday needs. In Finland, sauna buildings were places to wash, keep warm and carry out household tasks. Historical uses included washing clothes, drying linen and smoking food. They were also connected with significant moments in family life, including childbirth and washing the deceased. ThisisFINLAND
It is more useful to understand sauna as a tradition that developed over generations than to pin it to one tidy invention date.
From smoke to city life
The traditional smoke sauna, or savusauna, is an important part of that story. Smoke heats the space during preparation; it must be cleared before bathing. The long preparation and distinctive experience help explain why smoke saunas remain a cherished tradition. ThisisFINLAND
As Helsinki grew, public saunas offered washing facilities to residents without their own. Around the turn of the twentieth century, they were a practical part of urban life. Later, bathrooms and shared or private saunas in apartment buildings reduced the need for public bathing spaces. City of Helsinki
That was not the end of the story. New public sauna venues opened in Helsinki during the 2010s, giving the tradition a fresh social role. People returned for the experience of spending time together as well as for the heat. City of Helsinki
A living tradition
In 2020, UNESCO inscribed sauna culture in Finland on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition celebrates knowledge, customs and community—not just buildings or heaters. UNESCO
For us at TwigGo, that history is a reminder to leave room for the simple things: warmth, conversation and a moment without a schedule. The setting can change while the invitation to pause remains.
Image: Traditional smoke sauna at Telkkämäki Heritage Farm by JP Korpi-Vartiainen
Required credit: “Finnish smoke sauna” by JP Korpi-Vartiainen, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Indicate any crop or other changes; adaptations must use the same or a compatible licence.