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[littlekate]

According to the Russian saying, every frog would glorify its swamp, so, I'm supporting the russian banya. Banya is normally a log or stone made house where the temperature is raised up to the highest bearable point. The heating thing (stove, where some firewood is burned) is poured with hot water to produce steam. Steam helps to heat up a human being to the bones, to melt him (or her) down. Ideally, the heated person must be beaten properly with the properly soaked bunch of birch-tree twigs to stimulate blood circulation, and then cooled down in some cold pool or some natural waterway. Then heating, beating and cooling procedure is repeated.
I think, finnish sauna is the same thing only without steaming and beating. In dry conditions a human being can survive higher temperature, but I think banya is more healthy and exciting.
My idea about Turkish bath is very vague. I only know it is has something to do with steam and heating.
Dear Finns and Turks, please, enlighten the subject on your side.

[blacks2011]

hey : )
I know it's an old thread, but i would like to share my experience anyway.
I went to Russia three years ago to visit my friend . They have their own banya in the backyard. My friend decided to show me what "real Russian banya" is the day i arrived.
I was able to handle 7-10 min and then i run away . It was just way too hot...using "venik" made from birch branches made it even worse...
My friend's sister saw my pain and offered to go back with her. She promised not to torture me.
I was skeptical, but this time it was a completely different experience. She prepared everything before i got there. When i walked in it was not very hot, she put two containers with cold water inside the steam room and she made me wrap my head with a wet towel. When we sat down she splashed some beer on the rocks and it filled the steam room with such a wonderful smell. I could seat there for hours...mmmm...amazing!