General bath without complexes. German public baths - features and rules of visiting. Differences of the German bath

It is difficult to write a reliable story if you yourself, with your own eyes, have not seen something. This article about the German bath helped me to write my very good friend - Andrey. There is no doubt about the reliability of the information, a person has been living in Germany for a very, very long time.

Fans and connoisseurs of the bath, sauna enthusiastically speak of the Finnish bath. Someone says that there is nothing better than a Russian steam room. And only sophisticated connoisseurs know about the features german bath.

If you are going to Germany, read this article to be fully prepared and be sure to take a bath! The Germans also understand something in the steam rooms!

Of course, the German bath is completely different from our Russian steam bath with a massive stove. This is more like a sauna, not a bath in the full sense of the word. Although, there are some similar points, but more on that later.

But not all saunas are built near thermal waters, this is an optional condition.

Special german sauna

The Germans do not have such a reverent attitude to the bath, like the Finns or Russians. I asked my friend: “When you enter the sauna, it smells like a bathhouse. There is a feeling that you are definitely in the bath"?

It smells nice in the sauna and, of course, there is a feeling that you are in a sauna. But compared to the Russian bath, these are not the same feelings.

- Andrey

The bath complex itself is divided into two sectors. In one sector, there is a shower, a pool, and in the other, the steam room itself.

The arrangement of the sauna is quite ordinary: shelves and the stove itself. The German sauna does not hold tanks, basins, buckets and brooms.

IN german steam room swim shorts or swimwear are not allowed. You can steam completely naked.

This is due to the belief of the Germans about the non-environmental nature of synthetic fabric, for the same reason it is forbidden to wear slates or rubber slippers in a German bath. These are the rules of pedantic Germans ...

Another important rule for visiting the bathhouse is silence. Do not distract visitors from the process. Only silence, enjoying the warm air and pleasant aromas!
If one of the ignorant visitors violates this ban, then he may even be reprimanded.

Yes, you won’t hear here: “Give it to the park”, no one grunts or groans at the shelf. Our peoples have a completely different mentality.

But they still know how to give in to the park in the German bath. They just do it their way...

Ceremony Aufgus (Aufguss)

Translated from German, Aufguss means infusion, pouring. I asked Andrey to explain, in plain Russian, what is the meaning of this procedure. And this is the response I got:

Water or ice mixed with aromatic oils are poured onto the stones or the stove in the sauna... It is for this reason that the sauna has an amazing aroma.

The meaning of the procedure is that the stones in the furnace are partially doused with cold or hot water. When infused, the water evaporates and increases the humidity in the sauna. Evaporation of sweat on the skin is complicated and the body heats up even more.

At Aufguss, a special wooden basin is used, from which the stove is poured.

- Andrey

Ceremony Aufgus, there is nothing else than our Russian bath fun to give in to the park! Only each nation has its own park. We can have kvass, beer, birch infusion. But the Germans have aromatic oils.

How is Aufgus

Gives in to the park special person"Saunameister" which is attached to it. Before Aufgus they open the door and start a large number of fresh air.

The air from the street is driven into the sauna with a towel. This saunamaster then disperses the steam from Aufgus around the sauna with a towel.

- Andrey

The master's movements are more reminiscent of a kind of bewitching dance with a towel in his hands. It's like a real show: moral, physical and aesthetic satisfaction is guaranteed!

The schedule of the ceremony usually hangs in each steam room. You can easily navigate by the start time of Aufgus.

It is quite difficult to say exactly how long Aufgus takes. The duration can last only 6–8 minutes, but there are also record steam deliveries!

Aufgus can last more than 20 minutes. Regardless of the time, you cannot leave the sauna before the end of the ritual.

After the end of fragrant soaring, another ceremony begins - visitors drink beer!

The secret highlight of the German bath

If you are a shy person, then the following fact may shock you.

home secret highlight the German bath is that they do not have a division into male and female halves.

German sauna - shared. Here they like to visit the steam room with the whole family and consider it inappropriate to separate the visit by gender.

Steaming naked is the rule!

Men and women are warming themselves, splashing in the pool, washing in the shower together. And no hesitation! No swimwear!

But still there are saunas in which only women's days are set for visits. For some, this is a very pleasant departure from the rules. For example, it would be difficult for me to feel comfortable in a sauna completely naked next to men.

An anecdote immediately comes to mind:

“If a naked man accidentally ends up in a women's bath, women squeal and try to splash boiling water on him ... And if, by chance, a naked girl gets into a men's bath, on the contrary, all men are very happy, friendly. This once again proves the kindness of a man's heart.

Public baths in Russia

In fairness, it is worth noting that in Russia until 1743 there were no divisions into male and female baths.

They went to their own baths in the villages separately, but the city baths were all common. Hence the sayings, familiar to all of us: “There are no generals in the bath”, “Everyone is equal in the bath”.

And the division into visiting the bath was introduced by Catherine the Great. Joint baths existed for only one century, and this is quite a long time.

Conclusion

In conclusion of the story about the German bath, it remains to say that the days of the sauna are not strictly defined. You can walk at least every day.

Women's days are usually Tuesday or Thursday.

Now a few words about the prices for German sauna services. Andrei is talking about visiting cards, but for us these are subscriptions. So:

Pay and hourly rates. The cost depends on the institution, on the owner. I can't say exactly.

On the territory of the sanatorium, for example, visiting the sauna is often already included in the price. On the territory of the pool, the tariffs are lower than if you go specifically to the sauna.

A day card costs approximately 14 euros to 20 euros. Up to 15 hours cheaper, but not by much. There are 10-time cards.

Rates go up on weekends. It's cheap fun!

- Andrey

This is how we got the story about the German bath. Each nation has its own bathing culture, each nation has its own mentality and beliefs.

What seems wild to us, others do not cause hostility. People see the world and themselves in it in their own way.

I did not see anything bad, shameful or shocking in the bathing culture of the Germans.

For them, the sauna is a place of relaxation, physical and aesthetic pleasure. If you are in Germany, go to the sauna. Easy steam and new impressions!

For a long time I have already read the stories of V. Soloukhin about how, back in Soviet times, he visited a German public bath and was impressed.

About the topic of German washing with an erotic bias without complexes and without anything at all, see below

Many Russians visiting Germany face serious cultural barriers that separate our countries. The mentality of the Germans is very different from the Slavic. This is explained and cultural traditions, and freer European views. The strongest culture shock among Russians is caused by German saunas and baths ...

Joint baths and saunas

Almost all saunas and baths in Germany are shared. This means that men and women, children and old people - all bathe and wash together. The main problem for Russians is that it is supposed to be done completely naked. Neither the steam room, nor the washing room, nor the pool will let you in a bathing suit or swimming trunks. Rubber slippers are also prohibited.

The Germans believe that any synthetics in a humid and hot environment evaporate dangerous chemical compounds. This not only harms the person wearing synthetic swimwear, but also those around them. You will simply not be allowed into the German sauna in a bathing suit (or swimming trunks if you are a man).

Even if you embarrassingly cover up "causal places", they will look at you in surprise, as if you were a strange person. The Germans are not at all ashamed of their nakedness. Teenage boys can safely swim next to the naked mothers of their classmates, and no one sees anything indecent in this.

Etiquette in German saunas

Men, women, children, the elderly - all bathe naked in the same room. In rare cases, some establishments arrange separate days for swimming, but this can only be once a week. On all other days, please cast aside false shame!

If you enter the washing room in swimming trunks, you will be reprimanded and shown to the door. So those wishing to visit the German sauna should tune in to the nudist mood and, above all, get used to their own nudity. Russian people, who are much more shy by nature, have difficulty accepting such orders. Some, even after living in Germany for many years, simply avoid visiting saunas.

But the fact is that German friends or even business partners can easily invite you to a home sauna. And in this case, you will have to strip naked and bathe along with everyone. At the same time, you should behave adequately: do not blush, do not cover your most intimate places and, of course, do not stare at the figures of those around you.

Where can you hide

Sauna in Germany is divided into 2 zones. The first is actually a washing room and a steam room. They are called Textilfrei, which roughly translates to "no clothes zone". In the rest of the rooms there is a lounge area, waterslides and a bar - you can walk modestly wrapped in a towel or swimming trunks. By the way, not all Germans do this. Many continue shamelessly walking around in what their mother gave birth to. Not every Russian is able to accept, let alone understand this.

The most pleasant

The very procedure of bathing in such places is very pleasant and relaxing. In public saunas, you can not speak loudly and in general make any noise in any way. This may allow other guests to enjoy their stay. You can sit or lie on the shelves only on special bath towels which are 2 meters long. You can't touch wood with bare skin. It's not hygienic.

Coming to the beginning of the "aufguss" - pouring stones - should be on time. It is important. During aufguss, a sauna employee pours water with honey, eucalyptus or orange aroma oils on the stones and diligently disperses the steam. At the same time, he entertains visitors: he tells them jokes, jokes. It is impossible to leave the hall at this moment, so as not to release precious steam. You can only leave if you feel bad.

Then you can start swimming. In some saunas, pleasant music is turned on during aufguss, salts, creams or ice cubes for the skin are distributed free of charge. After the procedure, you may be offered a cup of tea, fruit or ice cream. All this is already included in the price of the entrance ticket. Aufguss in saunas are held on schedule, so it is customary to come to them on time so as not to disturb the special beauty of the ceremony.

On the banks of the Rhine and Oder there are many bath and water complexes. Lovers of sports swimming, fans of steep water slides, and connoisseurs of real steam will like it here.

Bathing suits are not allowed!

Many health and entertainment facilities in Germany are built in areas where thermal waters come to the surface. This means that they can not only accept water procedures and take a steam bath, but also enjoy the healing underground water.

The fact is that German lovers of “real steam” are firmly convinced that the use of synthetic materials is unacceptable in rooms with high temperatures and high humidity. Swimwear and swimming trunks, in their opinion, can become sources of dangerous fumes that will negate the healing effect of the sauna. Of course, there can be no question of entering the steam room in rubber slippers.

In the bath - the whole family

In Germany, unlike Russia, baths are not divided into men's and women's. “In our country, a bath is an important part family vacation explains Manfred. - Parents often come here with their children. In this situation, "special" men's and women's baths would be simply out of place. However, some bathing complexes still arrange a special “women's day” once a month, when men are not allowed to enter the institution.

There are some prohibitions in German saunas and steam baths on other days as well. For example, it is not allowed to touch a wooden surface with hands and feet. To visit the steam room, you must have a special towel, the length of which is about two meters. You can sit or lie on this towel.

Bergisch Gladbach. Unusual sauna. Photo: Photo by the author / Ilya Brushtein

During the visit to the sauna, silence must be observed so as not to interfere with other guests enjoying bath procedures. And finally, it is necessary to come to the beginning of the “aufguss” in time in order to calmly take your place and wait for the beginning.

Bath ceremony in German

The term "aufguss" literally means "watering, pouring". During this procedure, an employee of the bath complex pours water on the stones of the steam stove with essential oils (orange, honey, eucalyptus, mint, etc.). And then he begins with zeal to disperse the steam on the ceiling, and also fan the visitors.

German aufguss is a whole show. The bath master is not only responsible for excellent steam, but also does not forget to communicate with guests, tells them jokes and anecdotes. Saunas are often equipped with musical installations. Therefore, aufguss differ not only in aroma, but also in musical accompaniment.

To control the movement of air currents, the masters of bathing ceremonies use not only ordinary towels, but also flags, special giant fans and even bags filled with hay, filling the sauna with a refreshing and intoxicating aroma...

The duration of an aufguss is usually six to twelve minutes. During this time, it is not customary to leave the sauna and move around it, so as not to let off steam and not interfere with the ceremony.

Special aufguss are also held, during which guests are given ice cubes, massage salt, various creams, lotions and other “auxiliary substances” ... All this helps to better open the skin pores and fill the body with energy.

Often, after aufguss, steam lovers are offered to drink hot tea, juice or lemonade, taste ice cream or fruit. These "offerings" do not need to be paid extra. They are included in the cost of visiting the bath complex.

In German baths, aufguss are held strictly according to the schedule, for example, at the beginning or in the middle of each hour. At the entrance to the bath complex, there is always a “Aufguss plan” for today. In large and crowded establishments, these rituals are simultaneously carried out in several saunas at once.

Saunas for every taste

Bergisch Gladbach. Cafe in the sauna courtyard Photo: Photo by the author / Ilya Brushtein

Many bath complexes in Germany are truly unique. For example, there is an impressive planetarium sauna equipped with a dome of the starry sky. You can warm the bones and at the same time listen to a lecture on astronomy.

The sauna-beer hall is popular, where in a “warm” atmosphere they not only hold a bathing ceremony, but also treat them to beer. Non-alcoholic, of course.

Another attraction is the sauna-bakery, where after the end of the ceremony, the bath master, who acts as a baker, offers customers refreshment with fresh pastries.

IN federal state Baden-Württemberg has a sauna-cinema, where informative documentaries are shown on a large screen throughout the day.

A sauna-aquarium was also built here, in which you can watch the movement of fish through the glass.

“Many Germans visiting Russia speak with enthusiasm about the Russian bath, about soaring with birch brooms. We believe that the Russian bath helps to understand the soul of Russia, - says Manfred and adds: - I think that Russian tourists in Germany it is also worth visiting our baths and discovering Germany in this way.”

How I took a steam bath in Austrian nudist baths

I wanted to touch on a slightly funny topic about how it is customary to go to the sauna among the Austrians. I had to overcome myself and plunge into the nudist theme - to visit public baths. Shock and embarrassment. Yes, it is customary for them to go naked to the saunas, and then flop into the pool.

Then I went to sauna events: they whipped me with a hot flag, smeared me with a sticky, prickly and cold thing, forced me to sit naked in the sauna for 20 minutes.

I did it just for you, to write this story! Of course I didn't take any pictures :-)

In the fall, Lena and I had a dignified and aristocratic vacation at a wonderful resort in Austria. People go to this pensioner town for the sake of thermal springs. How can you live in Bad Ischl and not improve your health?

We collected towels, bathing accessories and set off for the Eurothermen baths.

Thermal Springs Eurothermen

Briefly describe the system. At the entrance you pay a ticket of €16 for 4 hours. You are given a watch bracelet. Apply them to the turnstile and the time has gone. If you dare to take off all your clothes and go to the nudist area, then you will be charged another € 7.5 for the whole day. They will need to be paid upon exit.

We go to the dressing rooms. They are common. Here and there naked bodies flash by. Of course, we changed in the booths. I didn't tell Lena that there was a cult of naturalists here, but she began to guess. :-)

Thermal pool complex

Let's talk about pools. (Most of the photos are from Daria Pismenyuk). Upon entering, we are greeted by a warm pool with mineral water. We jump right into it. So glad! Along the edges are underwater sun loungers with a jacuzzi, fountains for the back and neck.

I pass through the turnstile. The display says that I will be charged another €7. I open doors. They say that you are crossing a nudist area and it would not hurt you to undress. At the entrance Big hall with loungers. Someone cools down after a bath, someone just reads a newspaper. I got naked and covered myself with a towel just in case. Rinse in the shower and went to the saunas.

How many saunas are there! I walked for 10 minutes and studied them. I went to each. Slippers must be removed upon entry. You can not sit booty on wooden surfaces. All places of contact of the skin with the tree must be laid with a towel! That is, put under the ass and legs.

Kaiser sauna, Country house sauna, Mine sauna, Gallery sauna, Stone bath, Steam bath, Saltwater inhalation grotto, Infrared cabins, Large saltwater pool, Hot whirlpool, Cold pool.

I don't remember which sauna is called. Please select from the list above. At the entrance, there are signs everywhere: what is the name, what is the temperature and humidity, how long do you need to stay there.

Went to the first sauna. Looked at how everyone puts towels. Did the same. No one seemed to be looking at me. There were no grandmothers :-) There were ladies and men with a decent physique. Hot.

Went to the next sauna. It's not so hot there anymore. Sat and warmed up. There are several girls around. One of them lies, legs bent at the knees. Embarrassed, he moved on.

I looked into the bathroom. Very humid and not hot - I will come here in the end. I'm walking down the corridor. On the right, men are splashing in the jacuzzi. I don't want to visit them :-) After each sauna, you need to take a shower - take a shower.

What's with the misted glass door? Opened, went. Still can't see anything because of the steam. Here, apparently, you need to stand and breathe. I don’t know how many people were standing next to me and breathing - I didn’t see anything. It became somehow uncomfortable. Came out.

ahead large swimming pool for naturalists. A naked old man is splashing in the water. There - on the back, back on the stomach. There are still people around. I'll buy later if no one is there.

The attendant, with a towel on his hips, said something in German. Everyone obediently followed him. I came for a report for you! I also had to go. What do I have to lose?

Everyone went outside. It's kind of chilly in there. There is another big round sauna outside! We all went there. The attendant closed the door, put up a sign, turned the hourglass over. I realized that I was stuck here for at least 20 minutes.

Everyone sat in a circle on wooden benches opposite the trolley. The attendant turned on the heat. The temperature began to rise. People laid out their bodies in a relaxed way on towels. I sat quietly, not much shining with my charms. A couple of men sat on the top shelf at my shoulder level and started talking to each other. It was not very pleasant for me to be near their scrotum and I moved away :-)

As the temperature rose, I timidly examined the surroundings. All were quite young, 25-35 years old, with a pleasant physique. Men are slightly more than women. What is the best way to write? Something to see :-)

Queuing for white powder

Meanwhile, the temperature rises noticeably! The attendant came in and drove everyone out into the street. Everyone lined up. Each dipped his hand into the barrel. took White powder. And rubbed it on sweaty skin. What is this?

It's my turn. He scooped up the white powder. I started rubbing it on my skin. The grains were very large. It tore the skin like sand. Well, it's salt! Everyone went back to the sauna to sweat.

Why is the attendant waving the Austrian flag?

The show didn't end there. Now the degree was already approaching 80. The attendant came in. Bring the flag. Added essential oils. Why does he need a flag? :-)

Not only did he bring the flag, but he also began to sing songs and wave it patriotically. It hit me - to make it even hotter! Now he approached everyone and waved the flag in front of their faces. I was so hot that I almost lost my eyebrows and eyelashes. I'm already overheated. Time ran out and everyone started to leave. They took turns taking showers outside.

When I came to her, I could not say anything from overheating. My body and I were in shock. I wanted to tell her about everything and take her there, but it was already ten o'clock. Time to go home. That evening I slept like the dead.

The second round with the attendant. Who will win?

The next evening, I managed to persuade Lena to throw off her clothes and go to the realm of naturalists. Yesterday I looked at the schedule of bath shows. I already went to the salt. Now let's go together for some incomprehensible German word :-)

With more bold steps we enter the zone without clothes. Lena quickly undressed and wrapped herself in a towel. The attendant again calls outside to the round sauna. Turns on the heat again.

What has the cheerful mass entertainer prepared for today?

Settled in a circle. Lena sits wrapped in a towel. I'm a little looser. Everything… a break. Everyone goes out. Lena had to part with the towel. On the street there is a queue for the attendant. Everyone approaches him and he carefully sprays the liquid from the spray bottle in front and behind. What is it this time? Salt? No!

Mint water. Feelings are unusual. We go back to the sauna. Somehow strange - the air fries, and the skin cools. Most of all, mint burns in the folds, especially in the back :-)

Not as extreme as yesterday with salt and flag. But at least they did not injure Lena's psyche. She accepted nudism with dignity. She didn't feel very comfortable there. I'm already used to it.

I sent her to a normal pool, and he continued the experiments. I looked into the sauna, where you can even hang an ax from the steam. He felt his way along the walls. Looks like he bumped into no one. I swam naked in the pool - I love it. We also had a case in Kama :-)

He warmed himself in a not hot, damp bath. The attendant came and offered home-made strawberry jam for the stove. I don't know where to put it, so I refused.

sticky bodies

Time for a new show! Everyone enters the wet room. There, instead of wooden benches, there are tiled ones. There are no towels here. Nothing will hide you from prying eyes! Everyone washed the shop from the shower and sat down.

Mr. Bath attendant gave everyone packs of sticky mass. Everyone diligently began to rub their thighs, legs, stomachs, chests and arms. Well, so do I. Licked - it turns out it's honey. Okay, give me two!

I smeared myself properly, I sit warming myself. The eyes themselves look at the surroundings. There are more women, by the way, young women, at such spa treatments ;-) The main thing here is not to lose your mind. I can’t even imagine what I would do if ... But everything seems to have gone well. Rinse off quickly in the shower. And then again it's already ten o'clock - it's time to go home.

Total

Thermae are definitely worth a visit. I did not touch on the topic of recovery here. There is a lot of information about this, but few personal impressions are shared. It’s not easy for me to pour out my soul to you either, but I took a chance - after all, today is April 1st. What is true and what is fiction I will not say. And then I will say that everything is true, and you will laugh at me. At the first opportunity, I will visit the baths again.

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German public baths are designed for joint trips with family, work colleagues or friends. Many of them are located on the banks of the Oder and Main rivers, as well as near thermal springs. Their steam rooms are very different from our baths, so Russian tourists should first familiarize themselves with their rules. Different mentality and culture can cause a strong shock caused by the traditions of German common baths.

Many bath complexes in Germany resemble a water park. They are divided into sectors with different purposes. In one of them there are large pools with slides and tubes, cold and hot water, shallow and deep, with a fast flow and hydromassage. And in the other - a variety of thermal procedures: Russian, Finnish, Mongolian and Japanese baths, hammam, bio-sauna and ice cave. And between them there is a jacuzzi, winter gardens and massage rooms.

The most popular complexes are located near thermal springs. There are large German public baths in Lower Saxony and Bavaria. Also among the leaders in terms of the number of visitors are:

• "Caracalla Terme", erected directly above an underground source of healing water;
• "Liquidrom" in Berlin with free treatments, sea ​​water in the pool and interior in space style.

Differences of the German bath

German men and women visit bath complexes together. There are no men's and women's quarters or visiting days. Only in a few complexes there are separate days for visiting men and women. This tradition shocks many foreigners, although it came from ancient times. It is believed that in the past, in order not to waste firewood on heating the bath separately for men, women and children, everyone washed together. Since then it has become a tradition.
One more distinctive feature German public baths are a prerequisite for being completely naked. The natives of Germany are not inclined to be ashamed of their nudity, so it is considered normal for them to bathe naked next to members of the opposite sex. There, even young men calmly bathe next to the parents of their friends. But the Germans look at the hiding people in surprise.

However, this does not mean that you will have to walk around naked all over the place. bath complex, since this rule applies only to steam rooms and saunas. The Germans explain this by the fact that most swimming trunks and swimsuits are made of synthetic fabric, which causes discomfort and harm to the body at high temperatures. Also in German steam rooms, for the same reason, rubber slippers and slates are prohibited.

Sit on the shelves public baths Germany is possible only on special two-meter towels. It also spreads under the feet, as sweat flows from the heated bodies, which negatively affects the tree. Particularly shy visitors can wrap themselves in a cotton towel.

Subdued lighting is installed in the steam rooms to create a friendly atmosphere. There are a few unwritten rules:

• You can not shoot on photo and video equipment;
• You can not stare at other visitors;
• You can not comment on the appearance of other people;
• Silence must be observed and other visitors must not be disturbed.

Additional procedures

An important procedure in German public baths is aufguss, i.e. pouring on hot stones thermal water with essential oils, as a result of which fragrant steam spreads through the steam room with special fans or towels. Most often, orange, honey or eucalyptus oils are used. This procedure is performed by special masters, who even annually compete with each other in Austria.

The duration of the aufguss is on average 20 minutes. In most steam rooms, the schedule for this procedure is weighed so that each visitor can navigate in time and not miss this ceremony. Its cost is already included in the entrance fee.

During the exercise, it is forbidden to leave the steam room, only in case of dizziness or a sharp deterioration in well-being. The attendant performing the procedure may also entertain the assembled people with anecdotes and jokes. In some complexes, pleasant relaxing music is turned on, and creams, cubes of people or salt are distributed free of charge. After the procedure, visitors are offered a choice of a soft drink, hot tea, ice cream or fruit.