Russian Banya is probably the most famous thing about Russia. Trying to keep up with the Western well-developed world, people started calling them saunas, but it is almost an insult because a real Russian banya is so much different from a sauna. A Russian banya is not just an establishment where one can take a steam bath, or wash the body. A Russian banya is a combination of Russian traditions, history and enormous love of people who go there every weak.

       In villages banyas used to be public during the Soviet Union period. On Saturdays many families would go to a banya and wash there (men washed separately from women and kids). In cities there are still many public banyas. New, modernized and well-equipped banyas are now called saunas and are quite expensive. It may cost up to $50 to rent a sauna for 1 hour. That is why it almost became a new Russian tradition now for Russian students to get together, buy food, split all expenses and go to such a sauna for several hours. It is common to bring hot tea, sweets, beer, dried or smoked fish, and other food to a sauna. They offer massage and spa services, food and drinks, etc.

       If you go to Russia you may find the real banya in the countryside. Most country people have their own banyas now where the wife and the husband bathe together. In a real Russian banya there are usually several rooms.

       Predbannik - dressing-room of the Russian bathhouse - is where the action starts and ends. Here people undress and get dressed after they are done.

       The most important room is Parilka – the Russian steam room where all the action takes place. Here people can take a steam bath. The steam however must be transparent and dry. In the corner of parilka there is a big furnace covered with big stones which get burning hot because of their direct contact with the fire. Russians pour hot water on those stones, the water evaporates in an instance and makes the room hot and steamy. One can add some drops of scented oil to make the air smell good.

       Another important part of a Russian banya's tradition is venik – a bunch of green birch (or sometimes oak) twigs. Russians put a fresh venik into a tub with very hot water, then take it out, shake it over the hot stones and take turns in beating each other on their backs and sides with it. Even though it may sting for the first couple of strokes, it soon becomes pleasant and relaxing. The effect of parilka and birch twigs is really rejuvenating. Many old and young people love this procedure because it makes them healthier, helps restore their strength and drive toxic elements out of the body. Inhaling birch aroma is also extremely healthy and healing.

       According to an old Russian traditions, in winter after taking a steam bath and beating up with birch twigs, one should run outside naked and dive into a snowdrift – the difference between the extremely hot temperature inside and cold weather outside is believed to make your body stronger and much healthier. Another Russian tradition implies that the bride and the groom must go to a Russian banya with their friends separately the night before the wedding – something very similar to stag and hen parties.

       There may also be another room with a wooden table and chairs where people can eat and drink when they want to rest. After having a little break with hot tea or beer, Russians usually return to parilka for a steam bath and more birch twigs again.