There’s something magical about stepping into a hot sauna, heat wrapping around you like a heavy blanket, your skin beading with sweat as your mind clears. The sensation is both ancient and universal, a ritual that transcends time and borders. But where did it all begin? Many assume the Romans pioneered the art of bathing, but the truth is more fascinating—it’s a story of cultural exchange, adaptation, and a deep human connection to heat and water.
The Romans weren’t the first to embrace hot air baths—far from it. They actually inherited the practice from the Spartans, who were known for their intense discipline and physical resilience. The Spartans indulged in loconicum—a type of hot-air bath that was the foundation of what would later evolve into Roman bathing culture.
But if the Spartans planted the seed, the Romans perfected it. With their vast empire came an unprecedented focus on public health, leading to massive investments in infrastructure like aqueducts and balneae—small-scale heated bathhouses. Over time, these modest spaces expanded into grand bathhouses featuring tepidariums (warm rooms), caldariums (hot rooms), and frigidariums (cold plunge pools). These weren’t just places to get clean; they were centers of health, socialization, and even intellectual pursuits. Libraries and gymnasiums were often built nearby, recognizing the profound connection between physical and mental well-being.
The act of sweating wasn’t just about relaxation—it was deeply tied to brain health. Modern science now confirms what ancient cultures instinctively understood: heat exposure triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key neurotransmitter that enhances memory and supports neurogenesis (the creation of new brain cells). It’s no wonder saunas became a place where great minds gathered, where business deals were struck, and where ideas flowed as freely as the sweat dripping from their brows.
While the Romans and Spartans laid the groundwork, other cultures carried the tradition forward. The Vikings, for example, were known for their love of steam baths, a precursor to the Scandinavian sauna culture we recognize today. Even in the UK, archaeological evidence near Stonehenge suggests that prehistoric communities practiced ritualistic sweating, much like Native American sweat lodges.
What makes sauna culture so unique is how deeply ingrained it is in everyday life. In Finland, for example, it’s nearly impossible to separate the people from their saunas—it’s simply what they do. Historically, the sauna wasn’t just a place to bathe; it was a birthplace, a site for healing, and even a sacred space for the dying. The practice has never been a luxury but a necessity, a cornerstone of life itself.
In the modern age, personal home saunas became more common, leading to a decline in traditional public saunas. But today, we’re witnessing a renaissance. Countries worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of communal bathing, bringing spa culture back into the mainstream.
One fascinating revival is the smoke sauna, an ancient precursor to today’s modern sauna. Unlike the electric-heated versions we see now, smoke saunas rely on wood-fired heat, filling the room with thick, fragrant steam before it’s aired out. This raw, earthy experience is growing in popularity, as people crave more authentic and immersive wellness rituals.
Germany, too, has embraced sauna culture in a big way. The art of Aufguss, a performance-driven sauna ritual, has taken off in places like Liquidrom in Berlin. Trained sauna masters use essential oils, ice, and rhythmic towel movements to enhance the sauna experience, making it a multisensory event that feels almost theatrical.
The spread of heat bathing didn’t happen by accident—it was championed by passionate individuals throughout history. One of them was David Urquhart, a Scottish diplomat who fell in love with Turkish baths and, alongside an Irish doctor, introduced them to the UK in the 19th century. Their vision of accessible, affordable heat bathing took time to catch on, but it laid the groundwork for modern spa culture in Britain.
Today, sauna masters like Katie, trained in Lithuanian and Aufguss rituals, are keeping these traditions alive. The Aufguss method itself dates back to the 1930s, when Finnish athletes brought their saunas to the Olympic Games, showcasing their deep-rooted sauna culture to the world. From that moment on, saunas became an integral part of elite training regimens, reinforcing their undeniable link to health, endurance, and mental sharpness.
The beauty of sauna culture is its universality. Whether you’re stepping into a smoke sauna in Estonia, an opulent bathhouse in Istanbul, or a modern wellness spa in New York, the essence remains the same. The heat heals, the sweat cleanses, and for a brief moment, time slows down.
As more people rediscover the power of heat bathing, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a trend—it’s a tradition as old as civilisation ation itself. And whether you’re a seasoned sauna-goer or a first-time visitor, there’s an undeniable thrill in knowing you’re part of something timeless, something deeply human.
So next time you sit in the gentle heat of a sauna, close your eyes and imagine the generations before you—Spartans, Romans, Vikings—doing the exact same thing. You’re not just sweating; you’re connecting to history.
