SAUNAMAA

THE CAVE SAUNA
THE ESTONIAN SAUNA
THE FINNISH SAUNA
FILM SAUNA
THE BATH BARREL
FOREST-WAR SAUNA
THE SWEAT LODGE SAUNA
HOT TUBE WITH BUBBLE SYSTEM & LED LIGHTING
SMOKE SAUNA

THE CAVE SAUNA

Built in autumn 2009 (replica/copy)

It is a rude cave-like sauna with the most primitive architecture. It is either totally or partially built inside the earth. There were quite a lot of cave saunas at the beginning of the previous century. There are more records about them in the southern part of Estonia as elsewhere, as the hilly landscape offers better building opportunities for such buildings. Apparently, the traditions of this architecture origin from the times when the corner joints of logs and the cross-bar building were not yet been devised.
Source: Eesti Saun (Estonian sauna) – Tamara Habicht, publishing house Ilo and the heir Jaan Habicht, 2008
About our sauna – the sauna was built by using natural building materials we have tried to build in the way it was done centuries ago. The sauna steam is strong but also moist, with a smell of smoke and earth. We recommend that you jump into a barrel with cold water, in order to feel the right sauna pleasure.

Ask more information about the saunas and the prices by phone +3725070244 or per mail info@saunamaa.ee

THE ESTONIAN SAUNA

Built in 1967

(The saunas built after the war and now, these saunas are really different from the old saunas. All of them have a chimney, an iron barrel as an oven, iron stones inside. The base of barrel, the flues and the chimney are from bricks. The ceiling is from boards, the roof mostly from asbestos cement.) A sauna with a foundation, a floor from cement, with a large window.
Source: Eesti Saun(Estonian sauna) – Tamara Habicht, publishing house Ilo and the heir Jaan Habicht, 2008
About our sauna – we make no secret of the fact that it is really a more modern sauna, but its sauna steam is definitely not worse and we surely recommend trying the sauna steam with a birch whisk.

Ask more information about the saunas and the prices by phone +3725070244 or per mail info@saunamaa.ee

THE FINNISH SAUNA

Built in 2004

In a good Finnish sauna which is heavily heated the dry warmth beams from the hot sauna heater everywhere in the sauna room. After being shortly in this room the body begins to sweat. A moist air which does not support sweating has the quality to induce an intensive skin arousal. For that reason water is thrown on the sauna heater to induce sauna steam and to make the air moister in that way. A stronger effect on the skin can be obtained by whisking. In a well heated Finnish sauna the moisture resulting from the sauna steam is only temporally. It disappears quickly and the air is as dry as before. The peculiarity of the Finnish sauna is the opportunity of interchange of hot dry and moist air.
Source: Eesti Saun (Estonian sauna) – Tamara Habicht, publishing house Ilo and the heir Jaan Habicht, 2008
About our sauna – it is a modern sauna, fitting good for a smaller party.

Ask more information about the saunas and the prices by phone +3725070244 or per mail info@saunamaa.ee

THE SWEAT LODGE

It is a place for performing a spiritual and physical purification ceremony. In the Indian culture, it is a “sauna-church”. According to some sources it is the oldest ceremony of Indian people used by most tribes. It is carried through in a small dome-shaped tent. In this ceremony claimed to be the first one of Indian people by some sources the sauna and the church are united. People sit next to each other in a circle around a hole dug into the middle. Stones heated in a campfire are placed into the hole. In the tent, circumstances similar to the mother belly are created. In order to support the purification process prayers and songs are used. The sweat lodge helps to release cumulative tensions and to continue your life with a cleaner and better feeling.
Source: Wikipedia – the free encyclopedia, http://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saun

Ask more information about the saunas and the prices by phone +3725070244 or per mail info@saunamaa.ee

THE BATH BARREL

The bath barrel has a diameter of 2.0 m and at the same time, there is enough room for 6-7 persons

The home country of the bath barrels is Japan. Bathing in Japan is a centuries-old tradition. According to the legend the Japanese got the idea from the monkeys who were splashing in a hot spring during the winter. The wooden bath barrels have traditionally a circular shape. The diameter of different bath barrels is between 150 and 250 cm and they are meant for 3-8 persons. A bath barrel can be placed anywhere, only the ground has to be even. When you change the water in the barrel after every few uses, there is no need for any chemicals or filter systems. If you want to keep water in the barrel for a longer period of time you certainly have to take care of the water hygiene. The bath barrel can be used all year round.

Source: http://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saun
The producer: OÜ Haberek, http://www.haberek.ee/

In Saunamaa we offer a bath barrel with a diameter of 2 metres and it has room for 6-7 persons. The heating of the barrel takes about 4 hours depending on the water temperature the visitors want to have. The bath barrel is enjoyable in the summer but it gives the most special experience during the winter period, in the middle of snow and frost. We respect our guest and sauna friends very much and we can guarantee that there will be clean and fresh water in the barrel for every party, waiting just for you!

Ask more information about the saunas and the prices by phone +3725070244 or per mail info@saunamaa.ee

SMOKE SAUNA

The smoke sauna was built in late 19th century and was moved and renovated in 2010.

A smoke sauna is usually built beside a cottage or farmhouse. It is significant in many ways and it serves many purposes. The smoke sauna is mostly known to be used for bathing, but it is also used to kipper meat and recover health. Archaically it has been used as a living space, for giving birth and as a death bed. Saturday is the traditional sauna day. This is a special day for the whole family, when the sauna affects every bit of work. It takes about a half-day to heat the sauna and there is usually only one person who heats it, traditionally the master of the house or his wife. Sauna sessions are ordinarily taken with the whole family. There are village communities where sauna is heated for several families and sessions are held with the folk next door or people from around the village. It is customary to invite friends if it seems that people are lacking for a good sauna session. One must take time in the smoke sauna — sometimes sessions can last several hours. People sit in the steam room, whisk themselves, cool themselves off and repeat. The last thing they do is wash themselves using as little soap as possible, since the body is actually clean from the session itself. These sauna sessions give a very upbeat fealing. The smoke sauna is praised for its atmosphere, which feels clean and soft.
Source: Estonian Intangible Cultural Heritage list
About our sauna: Our smoke sauna is over 200 years old and was originally built in Põltsamaa paris. There are two rooms in the sauna: the antechamber and the steam room, both of which have enough room for 4–5 people. It takes about 4–6 hours to heat and the sauna steam is pretty fierce. We always recommend to use a whisk in the sauna. The smoke sauna has a quaint scent of smoked meat, because we also use it for kippering.

For more info about saunas and pricing call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

FILM SAUNA

Film saunas are built as temporary saunas when camping by a lake, in the woods or anywhere else where there is no traditional sauna.
Our film sauna goes against tradition and is built as a permanent structure. The walls are made of transparent double-layered film and the roof is built of boards. It is the light gleaming through the walls what makes the film sauna special. The sauna is built in the shade of trees and shrubs, so nothing should invade your privacy. For convenience, the sauna also has a small antechamber and a terrace. Instead of electricity oil lamps are used for lighting. The sauna is heated with a Finnish heater and the steam is damp and mild. It is the mildness of the steam that allows children and people sensitive to heat to use the sauna. The steam room has enough room for 3–4 people.

For more info about saunas and pricing call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

HOT TUBE WITH BUBBLE SYSTEM & LED LIGHTING

The diameter of the hot tub is 2 meters and it has room for 6–7 people

Hot tubs are native to Japan, where bathing is a centuries-long tradition. Wooden hot tubs are traditionally round in shape. The diameter may vary from 150 to 250 centimeters meaning there is room for 3–8 people. The hot tub may be placed everywhere, given that the ground is level. If the water is changed every two or three sessions, then no chemicals or filter systems are needed. If the water stays in the hot tub for longer, then it becomes necessary to sanitize the water. The hot tub can be used all year round.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_tub
Manufacturer: OÜ Haberek http://www.haberek.ee/
Saunamaa offers a hot tub with bubble system and LED lighting, which is 2 meters in diameter and has enough room for 6–7 people. It takes about 4 hours to heat the hot tub, exact time depends of the desired temperature. The hot tub is enjoyable in the summer, but using it in the winter, amid snow and frost, gives the most extraordinary experience. The bubble system helps you relax and the colorful LED lighting pleases the eye in evening. We hold our visitors and sauna users in highest regard and we guarantee that the clean and fresh water is waiting just for you and your companions.

For more info about saunas and pricing call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

FOREST - WAR SAUNA

This type of ``Forest/war`` Sauna was common during the war years of 1939-45. The sauna was built where the soldiers were at the front. Any suitable Tiber was used and Groove roughly to from the corners of the farme. Moss was used to seal up the cracks. This sauna was built with no ohter tools than an axe and a knihve. There are no nails or boards in it. These wartime saunas were either smoke saunas with stone stoves or chimney saunas with metal stoves.
Source: Muurame Sauna Museum

For more info about saunas and pricing call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

THE MANOR
THE MANOR: 2nd FLOOR
GRANARY & COOKHOUSE

THE MANOR

Manor (built in 1937)

The manor is very cozy and snug; it was rebrought to life in 2009 when the ground floor was renovated.
The kitchen with a bread oven, living room with a fireplace, porch with a piano and an English-style suite with a
bathtub welcomes all visitors who appreciate a romantic environment, all year round.
For accommodation, the manor offers a suite with a king-size bed and a room with three single beds.
The manor covers all basic needs: a separate restroom in every room, a bathtub in the suite, and also cookware and a shared shower.

For more information about accommodation and prices please call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

THE MANOR: 2nd FLOOR

In spring 2011 the second floor of the Nogo tourist farm was completed.
The dark attic transformed into well-lit living rooms with accommodations for 13 visitors in 5 rooms.
In addition to the rooms there are 2 shared bathrooms on the second floor. The whole house now accommodates 18 visitors.
Manor aside, there is also room for 14 visitors to sleep in the granary and more than plenty of space for tents in the courtyard.
It means that families and parties big and small can be accommodated and they can enjoy saunas provided by Saunamaa.

For more information about accommodation and prices please call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

GRANARY & COOKHOUSE

Granary (built in 1902)

The granary was built in the beginning of the 20th century and renovated in 2006.
The original vibe was retained, but today’s necessities were added.
Sleeping in the granary, which can accommodate 14 visitors, is only possible in summertime.
The outbuilding has a washing room, sauna and a cookhouse.

Cookhouse

The roofed cookhouse is a nice place for a get-together, be there rain or shine.
It has all the necessities for making soup or having a barbecue in fresh air.
What could be better than enjoying a cup of coffee in open air, surrounded by nature!

For more information about accommodation and prices please call +372 50 70 244 or send an email at info@saunamaa.ee

THE SAUNA FAERIE

There are many books, tales and legends about supernatural beings dwelling in saunas – sauna faeries, spectres and even a sauna goose that was used to scare kids. The children were told not to eat, whistle, curse, or raise a rumpus in the sauna because it would displease and anger the spirits inhabiting the sauna.

There are other faeries and spirits who, according to lore, dwelled in the sauna occasionally or permanently.

Tales of sauna spirits were especially widespread during the Middle Ages – the Russian lore tells of a ghost called Bannik who wasn’t exactly benevolent. Only a few people saw Bannik, and described him as an old man with hairy paws and long claws. He was said to live behind the sauna stove or underneath the platform, appearing only when he was displeased with the vapours or irritated by the disrespectful conduct of the sauna-goers.

In Karelian lore, however, there are tales of the Sauna Mother, a good-hearted sauna spirit. Sauna-goers traditionally left behind some water and a birch whisk for the sauna spirits to bathe with.

The Tver Karelians believed in a faerie – the guardian spirit of the sauna – that was to be treated with utmost respect. That meant behaving in a courteous manner and refraining from arguing in the sauna. When first going to the sauna, it was customary to bring a billet of wood as a gift for the sauna faerie. In Finnish, Ingrian and Mordovian lore the sauna spirit is female. In West Ingria it was believed that after two rounds of sauna-goers the sauna spirit comes to bathe.

I believe that there is something preternatural and mystical about saunas. Having captained Saunamaa for three years I must say that every sauna-heating is a bit different – indeed, sometimes the stove won’t get hot, other times it takes several matches to light the fire. It feels as though something or someone simultaneously helps and hinders the process – be it a sauna spirit or a faerie, who knows. Even though, in the above descriptions, the sauna spirit takes the form of a malevolent and ghastly man, the sauna faerie in Saunamaa appears to be the complete opposite – an immaculate and fey-like maiden. The feedback about the Saunamaa faerie is pretty varying in nature – positive on one hand, a bit reproachful on the other. The main concern for visitors seems to be the nakedness of the faerie. Still, as the host, I would like to honour the rules of sauna-going. The first rule is that one must be unclothed in the sauna – exactly as we came into this world – therefore the Saunamaa faerie is close to nature in every way.

Host of Saunamaa,
Erki Pehter

SAUNA FAERIE'S HONEY

Treat yourself to something special – the silky smooth and 100% natural sauna honey is made from the nectar of wild flowers growing in the woodlands of Võrumaa. Fair ladies have used honey to retain their beauty since ancient times. Honey has a healing effect on the skin; it cleanses the body and removes toxins, and speeds up metabolism. Honey also helps break down fat, reduce cellulite and lose weight. Honey is rich in antioxidants that slow down the aging process, reduce wrinkles, and moisturise, nourish and soften the skin. A honey mask gives you a glowing complexion and makes you look young and pretty – the visible rejuvenating effect is recognised around the world.

After using the honey there is no need to use skin cream, even if you have very dry skin – your skin is already thoroughly moisturised. A honey mask also nourishes and moisturises hair, making it soft and glistening.

Should you wish, you can add essential oils and herbs to the sauna honey, because honey doubles their potency. Wildflower honey has unique energising and healing properties, bestowing the might of the wild upon the user, and cleansing and pampering both the body and the soul. Our honey is lathered using a special technology which makes it silky, ethereal and unbelievably tender.

- Mari the Sauna Faerie -

You can buy our pure remedial honey from Saunamaa (in Rõuge), via the Saunamaa Facebook page or by contacting info@saunamaa.ee.

You won’t find this honey in stores.

ABOUT US

Saunamaa in Võrumaa is like a separate sauna village, offering different saunas to be enjoyed with their charm and specialities.
You have an opportunity to rate the sauna steam of these saunas and to learn about their history.

Cave sauna, Finnish sauna, sweat lodge, Estonian sauna are the saunas we can offer at the moment, but there are many others under construction.

Saunamaa is a place where you can organize a company event, a birthday party or make a family vacation or just spend time with your friends with a nice sauna steam and accommodation.

Have nice sauna steam!
See you in Saunamaa!