In Rus', it has always been believed that the bath is a special and spiritual place. In addition to its main purpose, it was also used to treat the body and soul. Although it was believed that bathing was the prerogative of the peasants, the royal people also loved to bathe. In fact, the first complex of baths was built by Peter I in Peterhof and named by him "Moplaisir".
Until the time of Peter the Great, there were no duties on the construction of baths, so in St. Petersburg they were built by everyone, choosing places away from housing and using only stone for construction.
Until the time of Peter the Great, there were no duties on the construction of baths, so in St. Petersburg they were built by everyone, choosing places away from housing and using only stone for construction.
However, Peter I decided that he could benefit from the popularity of baths. In 1704, a fee was introduced from each house bath in cities and districts by decree of Peter I. As a result, the government began to encourage the creation of public baths.
Initially, like everyone else, Peter I went to the city baths, but then he built his own steam room. In 1714 he built Monplaisir in Peterhof, and by 1719-1721 it was decided to add guest rooms. In one of the rooms, a soap room was organized, which today is known as a bath complex. The main feature was that cannonballs were placed on the stove instead of stones, which was a real innovation, as they proved to be much more durable.
Peter I himself took a steam bath with pleasure and even visited the steam room more than once a week. If he had health problems, he went straight to the soap bar and treated his wounds with crushed earthworms and wood lice on the advice of doctors.
Peter I himself took a steam bath with pleasure and even visited the steam room more than once a week. If he had health problems, he went straight to the soap bar and treated his wounds with crushed earthworms and wood lice on the advice of doctors.
