Why Saunakylä Was Founded
Saunakylä was originally founded in the early 1980s in Muurame, Finland. The driving force behind the project was architect Risto Vuolle-Apiala, who from the 1970s onward documented traditional smoke saunas through photographs and field research. His goal was to rescue a disappearing form of Finnish folk heritage and create a place where smoke saunas from different regions and historical periods of Finland could be visited and used.
From Muurame to Jämsä
The original Muurame Sauna Village, owned by the municipality of Muurame, ceased operations in 2010 due to financial reasons. Without regular maintenance, the condition of the historic saunas began to deteriorate.
Concerned sauna enthusiasts in Jämsä launched a rescue initiative to save the saunas led by Ilkka and Saija Silen, and Kari Vainiomäki from Sisusauna Oy. To support this effort, Suomen Saunakulttuuri ry (the Finnish Sauna Culture Association) was founded in 2012.
In 2015, the City of Muurame donated the historic smoke saunas to the association for relocation. A suitable new site was found in Juokslahti, Jämsä, on the scenic shores of Lake Päijänne, where the careful transfer and restoration of the saunas began.
Reopening in Jämsä
The first sauna – Virpiö was heated for bathers in Jämsä in 2016, marking the revival of Saunakylä. The official opening took place on Finnish Sauna Day, 10 June 2017.
Saunakylä Today
Today, Saunakylä consists entirely of historic Finnish smoke saunas, with the oldest dating back to the 1700s and the newest to the 1940s. The saunas represent regional building traditions and sauna culture from across Finland.
Saunakylä operates largely through volunteer efforts and employment programs. It offers public & private sauna sessions as well as guided tours. Saunakylä is believed to be the only smoke sauna village in the world.
What Makes Saunakylä Unique
- A collection of 25 original smoke saunas from different eras and regions.
- Saunas dating from the 18th to the mid-20th century.
- A living heritage site where saunas are regularly heated and used.
- Operated largely by volunteers and community effort.
- Widely regarded as the world’s only smoke sauna village.
Core Goals
- Community: Saunakylä is built and maintained largely through volunteer work and community-driven initiatives, reflecting the shared responsibility of passing Finnish sauna traditions on to future generations.
- Preserving living heritage: Protecting historically significant smoke saunas and keeping them in active use, ensuring that Finnish sauna culture remains a living, breathing tradition rather than a static museum display.
- Education and cultural exchange: Offering visitors opportunities to learn about the history of smoke sauna building, traditions and experience authentic smoke sauna bathing in a communal setting.