The history of sauna goes back thousands of years, and modern versions of sauna have certainly evolved since people in Finland first dug pits in the ground where they heated stones on a wood fire and threw water on the hot rocks to create a heated space. Pronounced “SOW (rhymes with “wow”)-nah” by Finns or “SAW-nah” by most English speakers, the word “sauna” is perhaps the only Finnish word that has entered the English language; it refers to both the practice of sauna bathing and the physical structure where bathing takes place. As Finnish people migrated all over the world, they brought their sauna traditions to many different cultures, and Finnish sauna culture is recognized by UNESCO.
What is the history of sauna?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
The history of sauna dates back thousands of years and originated in Finland, where early versions involved heating stones in pits and creating a heated space. The term "sauna," which has entered the English language, refers to both the practice and the structure, and Finnish sauna culture has been recognized by UNESCO as it spread globally through Finnish migration.