Dating back thousands of years, sauna culture began in Finland and dates back to the Bronze age when saunas were built in pits. In the iron age, saunas were built on top of the ground and so the smoke sauna was born. It was common that the sauna was the first building on a new homestead and was used as living space until the actual house was completed. 

In Finland, the sauna has been the centre of life and is rooted in tradition. It is used for washing, cooking, making clothing, giving birth and preparing the deceased, the sauna is considered a place of ritual.

In Finnish culture, a special mysticism is associated with the sauna. Finns believe that the healing effects of the sauna are not only physical but also cleansing for the mind.