The origin of baths as a practice of cleansing and hygiene dates back to ancient times, and at different stages of history and in different cultures, they developed in their own ways.
Thus, baths existed in various cultures around the world, each contributing uniquely to the traditions and development of baths as we know them today.
- Ancient Rome: One of the most well-known examples of ancient baths are the Roman thermae. These large public baths were not only places for bathing but also centers of social life. The Romans used hot and cold pools, steam rooms, and massage rooms.
- Finland: Finnish saunas also have an ancient history. Finns used saunas for purifying the body and soul. Traditional Finnish saunas were small wooden huts where stones were heated to high temperatures and water was splashed on them to create steam.
- Russia: Russian baths also have a centuries-old history. The Russian banya, like the Finnish sauna, includes a steam room but is distinguished by the use of birch branches for massage and skin cleansing. In ancient Russia, baths were considered sacred places and were used not only for hygiene but also for purification rituals.
- Ancient Greece: In Ancient Greece, there were also public baths. Greeks used both cold and hot baths and considered them an important part of their culture.
- Turkey: Turkish baths (hammams) have deep roots, stemming from Roman thermae and Byzantine baths. Hammams are steam baths with a sequential transition from a warm room to a hot one and then to a cold one.
- Japan: Japanese onsens (hot springs) and sento (public baths) also have an ancient history. These baths used natural hot springs and were places not only for cleansing but also for relaxation.
Thus, baths existed in various cultures around the world, each contributing uniquely to the traditions and development of baths as we know them today.
