For centuries, the banya has been a key element of Russian culture, so much so that it has firmly made its way into colloquial language. Once a necessity and a place to congregate within a community, it now remains a cultural custom and a common pastime for families, friends, and even colleagues. 

Vocabulary

Here are some essential words and phrases to know before your first visit:

• Веник (venik – “whisk / bath whisk”): the star of the show, a bundle of tree branches, traditionally birch or oak, used to whip the bathers;
• Парить / париться (parit / paritsya, lit. – “to steam”): to visit the steam room or to whip someone or oneself, respectively, with the whisk;
• Парилка (parilka – “steam room”): the focal room of the banya, where water is splashed on hot stones to produce steam;
• Таз(-ик) (taz(-ik) – “wash basin”): a sizeable vessel used to mix hot and cold water until preferred temperature;
• Ковш (kovsh – “ladle”): a smaller vessel used to mix water or pour it on oneself;
• Шапочка (shapochka – “hat”): a key piece of banya attire designed to protect the wearer from a heatstroke;
• С легким паром (s legkim parom – lit. “[congratulations on] the light steam”): an expression used to welcome bathers coming out of a banya.

Finding your way around the banya

Whether in a private or a communal bathhouse, the sequence of rooms you’ll go through is usually the same. At a public banya, you’ll first go through a lobby, often with a small store selling veniki and other banya accoutrements. Further on, you’ll find some space to get changed, then proceed to a washroom where you can get your tazik, kovsh, and have a quick shower to acclimate yourself to the high temperatures. 

After this, you’ll find yourself at the parilka. Spend as much time here as feels comfortable and remember to keep your head wet and covered! Finally, you’ll head to either a cold pool or, in wintertime, outside towards the snow – here, you get to experience the (quite literally) chilling effects of a cold plunge.

Tips for first-time visitors

• Even though you can often buy everything on the spot, it’s best to bring your own slippers and a towel. Some people bring a bedsheet instead – it can be a much nicer way to wrap yourself up in the parilka;
• Same goes for hats and whisks – you can get a lot of decent ones online [link to article];
• Bring something to drink! For a first visit, it’s best to stick to non-alcoholic beverages, such as the traditional choices of kvass or tea;
• Don’t overexert yourself – the banya is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. Remember that hot air rises to the top, so in the parilka, the higher you sit, the higher the temperature! Don’t hesitate to ask others for help if you don’t feel well;
• If you go alone, feel free to ask a fellow bather to whip you with a whisk – it’s common courtesy to help out;
• Mind that most public baths have separate men’s and women’s days, which may allow nudity, as well as occasional co-ed days, during which you must wear a towel or bathing suit. Check the schedule to make sure you’ll not be turned away at the door!

For more spring activities, check out our list of things to do, eat, and learn in St. Petersburg this season. And don’t forget to follow up your banya visit with a meal at some of the city’s top spots for Russian cuisine. Curious about local customs and culture? Read about traditional Slavic sports or check the Russian traditions tag for even more features.