Good day, everyone!
Whenever I visit the countryside, we always go to the banya. In fact, Saturday is traditionally known here as “banya day”
Right now, I’m going to warm up a bit, carry a couple dozen liters of water, and then it’ll be time to fire up the banya. 🙂
For those hearing the word "banya" for the first time, a traditional Russian banya is a separate wooden building, usually constructed from solid logs such as pine, spruce, linden, or aspen.
Inside stands its heart a stove filled with heated stones, known as a "kamenka". Water, often infused with herbs, is poured onto the stones to create what we call “light steam.”
Once the banya is properly heated, the natural wood seems to breathe, filling the air with an incredible forest aroma.
Going to the banya is much more than simply washing yourself, it’s an ancient ritual for restoring both body and soul. 🌞
Unlike a dry sauna, a banya is all about balance: gentle heat of around 60–70°C combined with high humidity.
One of its signature traditions is a massage with a "venik" a bundle of birch or oak branches. It stimulates circulation and releases beneficial essential oils. So if you ever find yourself in a banya and someone offers to give you a "venik" treatment, don’t hesitate to say yes 😄