A bathhouse on a country property is not just a place for cleansing the body, but also an important part of rural relaxation. The modern Russian bathhouse includes a changing room, a steam room, and a washing area. The best material for construction remains natural wood – solid or profiled logs, as well as wooden beams. These materials ensure ecological safety, hygroscopicity, and excellent heat retention, creating ideal conditions for bathing procedures.
RUSSIAN BATHHOUSE
For interior finishing and the construction of benches and shelves, linden, larch, birch, or other valuable woods are used. The bathhouse stove is used not only for heating the room but also for heating water. Modern bathhouse projects include showers, relaxation rooms, and even small pools.
"BLACK" BATHHOUSE
The "black" bathhouse is the oldest type of bathhouse, especially popular in the northern regions of Russia. Its walls turn black due to the lack of a chimney: soot from burning wood settles on the walls and ceiling. This type of bathhouse attracts traditionalists but might be unfamiliar to city dwellers used to modern comforts.
The "black" bathhouse is a log structure with a warm changing room for storing brooms and relaxing. The steam room and washing area are usually combined, saving on construction materials and fuel. A stone stove, made from brick or natural stone, was placed near the entrance to allow smoke to easily exit. Stones in the stove heat up and retain warmth for a long time. Windows in such bathhouses are small and placed low, helping to retain heat inside.
The special atmosphere of the "black" bathhouse is created by a slight smoky aroma. However, it's important for the wood to burn completely; otherwise, there's a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Birch wood, due to the tar it contains, additionally disinfects the air, making the bathing experience even more beneficial.
Experts say that heat from stones is softer and more comfortable than the heat from cast-iron stoves, making high temperatures easier to endure and positively affecting the respiratory system, skin, and nervous system.
"WHITE" BATHHOUSE
The modern "white" bathhouse is equipped with a full stove and chimney, ensuring a high level of comfort. The interior layout remains traditional: a steam room with shelves at different heights, heated by a stove, stones made of basalt, jadeite, or quartzite for steam generation, and a washing area with a shower or water containers. The presence of plumbing, sewage, and ventilation systems ensures maximum comfort.
Using aromatic brooms, herbal infusions, and oils makes the bathing procedures not only beneficial but also enjoyable.
The Russian bathhouse is a true national treasure, but there are other types of bathhouses, such as the Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam, or Japanese ofuro. Learn more about these in our upcoming articles. Stay tuned!
