In this post I will tell you about my trip to Vyatsk and the unusual sight of this place. The village is little known to most Russians, but meanwhile it ranks among the best villages in the country. The reason for this status is simple - many artifacts of antiquity have survived in Vyatsk, one of which is a 17th century bath stove.
This stove is fired in black and has an absolutely authentic arrangement, according to which we can get an idea of how it was steamed several centuries ago.
More precisely, "Smoke bath" is one of the museum exhibits of the village, whose condition is specially maintained at a good level. The complex is a group of baths that were brought from different parts of Russia. There are two options for visiting the exhibits - a simple inspection or taking a bath (not all baths provide for use).
The bathhouse, into which we "look" today is not active - it has the status of a museum exhibit. So, the steam room is made of hand-molded bricks (with clay inclusions). There is also one more connecting material that modern craftsmen cannot recognize. Probably, this component remains the secret for the construction that the Slavic stove-makers took with them.
It is unusual that the stove does not provide for doors and does not have underfloor plates. Such a design requires a large amount of air, which it draws from the firebox - therefore it is called a hearth. It should be noted that in the 21st century, such stoves are also found and are also placed in a bath without doors - to improve air exchange.
On top of the stove there is a vessel with a large volume of water - stones surround it on all sides. As you might guess, there is no chimney in the smoke sauna - no pipes protrude from the roof, which makes the building more neat. In the firebox, the firewood is heated, the smoke from them overcomes the stones and heats up the vat of water.
The smoke rises up to the ceiling and goes out into the street through special holes in the walls. When the time comes for bathing procedures, this hole is closed so that the smoke does not leave the steam room. Such a ventilation system is not the safest option, but it was dearly loved in Russia.
Despite the fact that heating the sauna in black is considered by many to be a relic of the past, this approach has retained its fans. They argue that the "black" steam rooms have their own special aroma and that the atmosphere of such rooms is conducive to relaxation and rest. Another advantage of this option is the release of smoke, soot and soot, which perfectly cope with the tasks of antiseptics.
The bathhouse has a classic wooden roof. The ceilings are painted black, and many of the decoration elements have been lost. Despite this, one of the most important elements has been preserved - the oven.
Thanks to her, we can understand how the Russian baths functioned in the old days and how much these traditions have been preserved today.