As you know, the great Russian ruler Peter I went down in history, famous for his innovative achievements. He also showed great respect for, and willingly took a steam bath himself. One of the Tsar's outstanding projects was the city of St. Petersburg, it was the first city in Tsarist Russia built according to European standards. A special place in the construction of the city was given to pairs. By order of the Tsar, anyone could build a bathhouse in St. Petersburg; the only condition was that it should be located away from residential buildings, and, if possible, built of stone. And yet, building a steam room was not subject to taxes. Much written evidence has been preserved about the reign of Peter I, described both in literary works and in documents.
The story of a contemporary of Peter has survived to this day, in which he describes the stay of the Russian Tsar with an army of grenadiers in the capital of France, Paris. Peter I issued a decree to build baths on the banks of the Seine to improve the health of soldiers. After which, the Parisians watched with fear and surprise as naked Russian men ran out of the steam room and rushed in a crowd into the icy water of the Seine. At the same time, they laugh loudly and tell jokes. Somehow Verton, the royal chamberlain, had to observe this whole picture. Fearing for the health of the soldiers, he hastened to inform Peter about the unreasonable behavior of the men. After all, resorting to such brutal entertainment, they can catch a cold and even die. To which the king assured Verton with a smile that this procedure was not only not harmful, but could also improve health. After which the perplexed royal chamberlain decided that it was still impossible to understand the Russian people.
Also, Peter the Great, in addition to building baths, was interested in another activity that was fashionable at that time, treatment with natural waters. During his reign, this was very common, and many representatives of the intelligentsia and the middle class traveled beyond the territory of Mother Russia for water treatments. Russian classics often described this hobby in their works. Peter I himself, at one time, visited Pyrmont, Carlsbad, and Baden-Baden. And upon his return, he ordered to find similar healing springs in his native country. This is how ferrous “marcial” springs were discovered near the city of Olonets, in Karelia. One of the first hospitals was opened there, and a brochure was published, which has survived to this day. This brochure described the rules for using waters: “Pre-khtursky rules on how to act with these waters.”
Berkholz, a chamber cadet, also lived at Peter's court. Who, as a foreigner, was very interested in trying out for himself that strange pleasure called the Russian bath. Subsequently, the chamber cadet satisfied his curiosity and, accompanied by an experienced bathhouse attendant, visited the bathhouse. Later, in his diary entries, he noted the usefulness of bath procedures for the body, and that one should allow oneself such pleasure more often. He also described the healing properties of a massage with a broom, under the influence of which the skin is steamed more strongly, which enhances the beneficial effect of the bath. But Berholz considered the main advantage of the Russian steam room to be the sensations experienced after it. “As if born again,” he wrote in his diary. And he noted that the Russian people have a strong spirit because they regularly take steam in the baths.
The construction of Russian baths throughout Russia, begun by Peter the Great, continued its development in the future. During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, a doctor from Spain, Antonio Nunes Ribero Sanchez, healed at the court. This doctor subsequently published a book about the benefits of Russian baths. It was published in 1774 in Paris, where its author lived the last years of his life. In this book, Antonio emphasizes the healing effect obtained specifically from. At the same time, the Russian steam room is compared with its Roman, Turkish and Greek counterparts. The book of the Spanish doctor was translated and published in many countries, including Russia.
This is the 310th anniversary of the royal decree, according to which public washing facilities were built in our city.
No one will probably argue with the well-known truth that every Russian person loves a bathhouse. And especially if he is a shuyan. And there is an explanation for this. In what other city were public baths built, and there is documentary evidence of this, by direct order of Emperor Peter Alekseevich? What was the need for the Tsar-Father to send such a decree to our city?
The fact is that from its foundation until almost the end of the 18th century, our city was built, with rare exceptions, from wood. Not only residential and administrative buildings, but also the city fortress itself was made of wood. Wood, as is known, is a fire hazardous material. It happened that the city burned out almost completely, and more than once. And minor fires occurred at least once a decade. In order to somehow prevent fires, the supreme authority in 1613 forbade lighting stoves within the city, starting from Radonitsa (the second Tuesday after Easter) until Semeon's Day (September 1, old style). It’s possible outside the city limits, but not in the city. This ban extended to forges, pottery firing and, of course, to baths. Baths in Shuya were in almost every house, and the city’s residents suffered greatly from this ban - after all, people wanted to bathe not only in winter. The Shuyans repeatedly demanded the repeal of this decree.
After 25 years, the decree was canceled, but instead an economic restriction was introduced - a tax on heating stoves in the summer. If wealthy people were not particularly bothered by paying it, then the poor, as they say, could not afford it, and a bathhouse with hot steam became an expensive pleasure for them. Only, apparently, for the special merits of the Shuyans in strengthening the Russian State, Emperor Peter I sent his royal decree to Shuya on the construction of public baths in the city.
From now on, the Shuyans have the opportunity to enjoy water treatments not only in winter, spring and autumn, but also in summer, and at a low price. The royal decree stipulated that baths should be built in decent places from the capital of the zemstvo hut and those baths should be given as quitrents to willing people who “give more money at auction.” In other words, the baths were to be built with city money and ready to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. From private baths belonging to wealthy people, as the royal decree stated, it was necessary to collect duties of 1 ruble, from the poor - 5 altyns per bath, and from peasants and business people to collect 2 altyns and 2 money. The duties, of course, had to be sent to Moscow.
Where were the public baths located in Shuya? The exact location has not yet been established, but most likely, not far from Teza, but not on the shore itself, since they could have been flooded during the flood. It is quite possible that in the future their place will be established more definitely. In the meantime, dear reader, let’s celebrate the 310th anniversary of public baths with a birch broom and Shuya soap!
“It has been noticed that the wives and girls who appear at the Assembly do not know the politeness and rules of foreign clothing, like kikimoras are dressed. Having put on a robe and hose made of white satin over dirty underwear, they sweat a lot. This is why the extremely vile smell spreads and confuses foreign guests. From now on, before the Assembly, I instruct you to wash in the bathhouse with soap and diligence, and not only to keep your robe clean, but also to diligently watch your underwear, so as not to disgrace Russian wives with your vile appearance.”
It is noteworthy that the kings of Rus' washed themselves completely differently from what happened in the first public baths, which first appeared in Ancient Greece. The Greeks paid great attention to the culture of the body; the importance of the physical condition of the body was on a par with state affairs. The popular gymnastics sports schools “palestra” meant not only the opportunity to wash after sports, but also had baths. It was in them that Greek athletes gathered after training, rested, washed, and spent hours having friendly conversations, enjoying the aromas.
In Russia, the first public baths (not royal) for collective use were built in the 17th century. Historians claim that Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich did this according to the decree. Of course, they were very different from Roman (Greek) baths in their simplicity. And the climate could not help but affect the design of the baths and the method of washing in them. Baths were built along the banks of rivers, not far from reservoirs, and most of them were one-story. Read about how the kings built baths in Rus' with humor ( link-picture on the right). Like the one we are planning on the blog page, they had only three rooms: a soap room, and a rest room (for changing clothes). Whole families washed themselves in the bathhouse on Saturdays. - mixed washing for men and women. Only under Tsarina Catherine the Great did Russian baths begin to be divided into women's and men's. It was then that they became public and divided by gender.
Of the Russian tsars, Peter the Great paid great attention to cleanliness. Known for his frequent training with the European nobility, during his trips abroad, he tried to observe etiquette and taught his courtiers to it. And he had a special attitude towards commoners: “... a serf must be like the king in everything - and follow the protocols of the assembly (public event) in everything.”
So such a document was born (or maybe humorous historians composed it?!). Who knows? But the meaning and fun in it will delight any Slav.
“Before appearing as a multinational guest, he must be:
1. I wash carefully, without skipping any places.
2. Shave thoroughly, so as not to damage the ladies’ tenderness with vile stubble.
3. I’m half hungry and a little drunk, if not completely drunk.
4. Dressed as nobles, but without unnecessary excess, in addition to lovely ladies. The latter are allowed to seductively decorate their image with moderate cosmetics. Be especially distinguished from rude gentlemen by grace, cheerfulness and kindness.
5. Having suddenly appeared in the illuminated hall, do not lose heart, do not stiffen your body, on the contrary, round your arms and, without hesitation, eagerly join in the boiling of the guest.
6. When you come to visit, familiarize yourself with the layout of the house in advance with ease, especially noting the location of the closets, and put this information aside in that part of the mind that is less subject to guilt than others.
7. Consume food in moderation, so that your heavy belly does not interfere with your dancing.
8. Drink the potion as much as you can, so your legs can hold up. If they refuse, drink while sitting. Do not offer it to someone lying down - so as not to choke, even if you ask for it. Glory to the one who choked! For this death has been honorable in Rus' since ancient times.
9. If you don’t know what to do, rely on a friend, this guardian has more state vigils.
10. Place the drunk ones carefully so as not to damage them and not interfere with the dancing. Fold separately, observing the floor, otherwise when you wake up, you won’t end up embarrassed.
11. Having sensed trouble, do not panic, but quickly follow to the place mentioned, without hesitating along the way and using all your strength to maintain in the fortress the belly that villainously betrayed you.
12. Being without a wife, or, God forbid, single, look at the ladies’ charms not with open greed, but quietly - they notice this too. Don’t doubt it - in this manner you will respect them and will not be considered impudent.
13. Use your hands very carefully and only when you have received a clear sign that it is permitted, otherwise you will wear your embarrassment on your face for a long time, for they know no mercy.
14. Without singing there is no fun in Rus', but it begins at the master’s sign. Don’t get into a rage, listen to your neighbor - when you bray alone, you become like the Valaam donkey. On the contrary, your musicality and sweet voice will earn you many praises from guests.
15. Remember, a lady’s heart is pliable to music, use this, and you will certainly be kind.
16. When you see a noble person at an assembly, or even a tsar, don’t lose heart, don’t open your mouth, but don’t stick your head out either - you’ll hardly be able to serve, and you’ll be able to annoy a drunken person three times more than usual.
Then, with God, go ahead!!! Apply this commandment constantly, and not remember what point, standing like a block in the middle of the fun.”
Yes, you can’t say anything: The royal rules are good both for the Russian bath and for the feast. Keep up appearances and smell good! - Then the king is not a hindrance to you. Were they gold or not? royal baths? - you decide.
I’m reading the Decrees of Peter I... An incomparable feeling! I advise you - it’s so fun - and the country’s leadership should read it! For this purpose, I only quote the best ones that are on the Internet...
DECREE "ON THE DIGNITY OF GUESTS TO BE AT ASSEMBLY"
Before appearing, a multinational guest must be:
1. I wash carefully, without skipping any places.
2. Shave thoroughly, so as not to damage the ladies’ tenderness with vile stubble.
3. I’m half hungry and a little drunk, if not completely drunk.
4. Dressed as nobles, but without unnecessary excess, in addition to lovely ladies. The latter are allowed to seductively decorate their image with moderate cosmetics. Be especially distinguished from rude gentlemen by grace, cheerfulness and kindness.
5. Having suddenly appeared in the illuminated hall, do not lose heart, do not stiffen your body, on the contrary, round your arms and, without hesitation, eagerly join in the boiling of the guest.
6. When you come to visit, familiarize yourself with the layout of the house in advance with ease, especially noting the location of the closets, and put this information aside in that part of the mind that is less subject to guilt than others.
7. Consume food in moderation, so that your heavy belly does not interfere with your dancing.
8. Drink the potion as much as you can, so your legs can hold up. If they refuse, drink while sitting. Do not offer it to someone lying down - so that he does not choke, even if he asks for it. Glory to the one who choked! For this death has been honorable in Rus' since ancient times.
9. If you don’t know what to do, rely on a friend, he is the guardian of more state vigils.
10. Place the drunk ones carefully so as not to damage them and not interfere with the dancing. Fold separately, observing the floor, otherwise when you wake up, you won’t end up embarrassed.
11. Having sensed trouble, do not panic, but quickly follow to the place mentioned, without hesitating along the way and using all your strength to maintain in the fortress the belly that villainously betrayed you.
12. Being without a wife, or, God forbid, single, look at the ladies’ charms not with open greed, but quietly - they notice this too. Don’t doubt it - in this manner you will respect them and will not be considered impudent.
13. Use your hands very carefully and only when you have received a clear sign that it is permitted, otherwise you will wear your embarrassment on your face for a long time, for they know no mercy.
14. Without singing there is no fun in Rus', but it begins at the master’s sign. Don’t get into a rage, listen to your neighbor - when you bray alone, you become like the Valaam donkey. On the contrary, your musicality and sweet voice will earn you many praises from guests.
15. Remember, a lady’s heart is pliable to music, use this, and you will certainly be kind.
16. When you see a noble person at an assembly, or even a tsar, don’t lose heart, don’t open your mouth, but don’t stick your head out either - you’ll hardly be able to serve, and you’ll be three times more capable of annoying a drunken person than usual.
For this, with God, forward!!! Apply this commandment constantly, and not remember what point, standing like a block in the middle of the fun.
U K A Z
We have noticed that along the Nevsky Prospekt and in the assemblies, the undergrown fathers of eminence, in violation of the etiquette and regulations of the calm, in Spanish camisoles and trousers with tinsel, flaunt themselves insolently.
I order the Chief of Police of St. Petersburg to henceforth catch these dandies with great zeal, take them to the Foundry and beat them with a whip until their pantaloons make them look extremely obscene. Do not look at the title and eminence, nor at the cries of those being punished.
U K A Z
It has been noticed that wives and girls come to assemblies without knowing the politeness and rules of foreign clothing, like kikimoras are dressed. Having put on robes and hose made of white satin over dirty underwear, they sweat a lot, causing a very vile smell to spread, confusing the foreign guests.
From now on, I instruct you to wash yourself with soap and water in the bathhouse before the assembly, and not only to ensure the cleanliness of your outer robe, but also to diligently take care of your underwear, so as not to disgrace Russian wives with your vile appearance.
U K A Z
We hereby command from now on not to take women on warships, and if they do take them, only according to the number of the crew, so that there is no misery.
U K A Z
Navigators should not be allowed into taverns, because they, boorish bastards, quickly get drunk and cause trouble
U K A Z
Trade is a thieves' business, and therefore they should be given a meager salary, and they should be hanged one per year, so that it would not be a shame for others.
U K A Z
A subordinate in front of his superiors should look dashing and stupid, so as not to embarrass his superiors with his understanding.
U K A Z
From now on, I instruct the gentlemen senators to speak in the presence not according to what is written, but only in their own words, so that everyone’s stupidity will be visible to everyone
And Peter the Great is full of such decrees! Respect comes when you read them! And not only do you read, but you also know that Petka really was tough: he caught him, and flogged him, and forced him to wash... And what a lover of humanity he was! How he gave it away! If you see him at the assembly in spirit, they say, don’t fall down, don’t open your mouth, but don’t stick your head out either - you’ll hardly be able to serve, and if you’re drunk, you might be annoying three times as much as usual... He was incredibly caring, the devil...
By the way, questions appear after reading. What would he write today?! It would probably output something like:
We have noticed that along the Nevsky Prospekt, and in Moscow - everywhere, undergrown fathers of eminent people, in violation of the rules of calm that must be kept in front of ordinary people, show off insolently in overseas "Porsches", "Mercedes", "BMWs" and other expensive carriages.
I order the gentlemen governors of St. Petersburg and Moscow to henceforth zealously catch these dandies, take them to the Liteinaya part in St. Petersburg and to Petrovka in Moscow and beat them with whips, and cars with crowbars, until both of them look very obscene. Do not look at the title and eminence, and also at the cries of those being punished.
It has also been noticed that men, wives and girls come to assemblies and theaters dressed in obscene clothes, or even without it, and in the subway and on public transport, because of the robes and figs, dressed in dirty underwear, they again sweat a lot, which is why it is very unusual the smell spreads in the carriages, causing confusion among foreign guests.
I instruct you, in the future, before going to church to wash yourself thoroughly with soap and diligently take care of your underwear, so as not to disgrace Russian wives with your vile appearance.
We hereby command from now on not to take women into the military department, but to take them according to the number of generals, so that there is no embarrassment like in the Ministry of Defense, where it is not these generals who command the departments, but their 30-year-old girls!
Programmers, of whom there are countless numbers, are not allowed into taverns, because, having finished writing their programs, boorish brood, they immediately get drunk and cause brawls in taverns in the English language.
Local leadership is a serious business, a thieves' business, and therefore don't give local officials their salaries! And for the sake of warning, hang one at a time in cities, so that others would not be in a habit of stealing.
Since they haven’t wised up in 300 years, I instruct the gentlemen senators to prohibit speech in the presence at all! So that their stupidity is not visible to everyone.
Fantasies, of course... I smile... Although Peter was cheerful! I would have learned something strange again! It couldn't be worse...
Funny tips... How to find out your temperament... -
Funny tips... How to agree with women... -
Fun tips... How to fight a cold -
Fun tips... How to lose 10 kg... -
Funny tips... How not to strive for the best... -
Funny tips... How to get married... -
Funny tips... How to conclude a marriage contract... -
Funny tips... How not to be funny... -
Funny tips... How to write so that people read you... -
Fun tips... How to prepare for the end of the world... -
Funny tips... How not to prepare personnel... -
Funny tips... How to hide your keys correctly... -
Funny tips... How not to win a Green Card... -
Funny stories... Crimea... Should we go to Saki... -
Funny stories... Crimea... EvGeysky vopState... -
Funny stories... Crimea... Should we go to Saki?! -
Funny stories... Crimea... Nina Uralskaya... -
Funny stories... On the train... -
Funny stories... Montenegro... -
Funny stories... March 8... -
Funny stories... Cinema deception... -
Funny stories... Realities of time... - etc.
Funny stories... My school... -
Funny stories... Children's... -
RESPONSES FROM FRIENDS
I haven't laughed so much in a long time! Peter 1 was smart!!! How we miss him today!!!
Having read it, I have gratitude to boyar Anatoly and bow deeply, for he made me laugh tremendously, and made many people, especially the younger ones, think a lot... Hello, boyar! And suddenly you amuse us with your fabrications!
Inna Anatolyeva, daughter of Kozhevnikov,
bourgeois from the village of Zelenogradova, Moscow province.
And we also need one Decree of 2012: “Teenagers, and especially girls, who use obscene language in public places, should be brought to the police presence and kept with the homeless, allowing them liberties with them until the foul language disappears from their lips, and they speak in a language of dignity humanly decent. Upon leaving the presence, give a reminder about the inevitability of homeless therapy in case of relapses of swearing, so that decent society is valued and preferred.”
Anatoly, thank you for the excellent, cheerful and funny decrees! Urgently to life! We support! With a smile and respect,
Thank you! These new decrees should be considered in the Duma... and broadcast live to the country)
Thank you, Anatoly made me laugh and amuse myself)))) Order needs to be restored a long time ago... the youngsters have become unruly... They drink beer, smoke and destroy everything around them!
Yes, now he would have come up with something funny, and it wouldn’t have seemed too much! The ruler was noble! With warmth,
Amazed! Kudos for knowledge! Hello!
Viktor Aleksandrovich Pogorelov
Why was a chandelier-shower installed in the imperial baths, who ordered a crystal bath for the royal soap house, what kind of underwear was worn in the steam rooms and how were they treated with crushed worms?
"Paper" I talked with the head of the Bath complex in Peterhof, Irina Suvorova, about when and why baths became an important part of Russian culture and in which baths in St. Petersburg the emperors took a steam bath.
Irina Suvorova
Head of the Monplaisir complex sector of the Bath complex in Peterhof
What were the bathhouses like in Ancient Rus' and where did the first residents of St. Petersburg take a steam bath?
Vladimir Ivanovich Dal revealed in sufficient detail the semantics of the word “bathhouse”. It comes from the word “banit”, which in the old days meant “to wash, clean with water”, and “bath” - to wash. Speaking about baths, Dahl meant a Russian steam bath, a building or rest, where they bathe not just in dry heat, but in steam.
In Rus' there were definitely baths at least in the 10th century. This conclusion can be drawn from Igor Bogdanov’s rich research “Three centuries of the St. Petersburg bathhouse”. Bogdanov writes that the Arab traveler Ibn Rust at the beginning of the 10th century described the “baths of the northerners” as follows: “In their country, the cold is so strong that each of them digs a ditch in the ground for a cellar, to which they attach a wooden pointed roof, like a church. They move into such cellars with their entire family, taking firewood and stones. They light a fire and heat the stones red hot. When the stones are heated to the limit, water is poured on them, which spreads steam, heating the house to the point that they even take off their clothes.”
From there you can find out that the chronicler Nestor, who lived at the end of the 11th - beginning of the 12th centuries, wrote that the Slavs who lived in the northern forests voluntarily subjected themselves to the “painful procedure” [of washing in a hot bath], which gave them “painful joy.” Nestor also describes the procedure for washing in a bathhouse, noting the widespread nature of this phenomenon. The chronicler says that this “has been from ancient times” an integral part of the life of a Russian person.
With all this, the bathing business was not regulated by rulers for a long time. In village baths, men and women steamed together until the 16th century. This only stopped under Ivan the Terrible in 1551, when the Stoglavy Council banned “joint washing” “in order to prevent a possible fall into sin.”
At first, after the creation of St. Petersburg, everyone was allowed to build baths. Which, by the way, many residents took advantage of. At that time, baths were not yet subject to duties, and this was profitable. The only condition was to build baths away from housing and exclusively from stone.
Within a few months, Peter I, seeing the people’s passion for baths, decided to take advantage of it. In 1704, he issued a decree introducing a monetary tax from each public and home bathhouse in all cities and counties. Since then, the government began to encourage the creation of public baths. According to the drawn up charter "", they took 3 rubles from the boyars, 1 ruble from the servicemen, and 15 kopecks per year from the archers, service Cossacks and peasants.
At the same time, the baths kept getting bigger and bigger. As researcher Naum Sindalovsky writes, we can talk at least about the Voronin baths with marble decoration, baths in the Admiralty Courtyard, Fonarny Lane and near the Harbor. They became places of power for people of different classes; each of them had its own reputation.
Public baths on the Neglinnaya River in the 17th century.
Why and for whom Peter I created the imperial bath
Peter I, as follows from his travel journal, took a steam bath in the city baths, but soon switched to his own. So, in 1714, the emperor ordered the construction of the Monplaisir Palace in Peterhof, and by 1719–1721 it was decided to complete the construction of guest rooms, in one of which a soap shop was built, now known as the Bath complex. It was a spacious room, reminiscent of an ordinary Russian bathhouse, only with small nuances. It had a stove on which, instead of stones, there were huge cast-iron cannonballs: they turned out to be more durable and warmed up the room faster.
Peter I himself loved to steam and washed often and a lot. Judging by his travel log, he visited the bathhouse once a week as usual, or more often if he was unwell. Here he steamed, and if necessary, on the recommendations of doctors, he bled himself or took medicine from crushed worms and woodlice.
His wife Catherine I also loved to take a steam bath, and she was given access to the imperial bathhouse. But she always chose other days so as not to run into her husband.
At that time, only selected associates of the emperor visited this bathhouse; it was considered the best in the country. There they performed bloodletting, attached leeches and thus tried to physically cleanse themselves.
After the death of Peter I, the soap shop began to deteriorate. Only in 1748, under Elizabeth Petrovna, was it recognized as a relic of Peter the Great and moved to the Upper Garden, where it stood until the end of the 18th century. In the same place, by order of the queen, Rastrelli built a new soap house, but made of wood, with swimming pools and additional rooms in the attached outbuilding. Since then, guests relaxing in the outbuilding could also visit the royal bathhouse.
Swimming pool in the Central Baths of E.S. Egorova
What was in the imperial baths and what was treated in them?
Elizaveta Petrovna set the standard for the imperial baths: on her orders, the ceiling was painted by Russian painters under the direction of [Italian artist Antonio] Perezinotti. The bathhouse had both copper and wooden bathtubs, bound with iron hoops. Water was released from lead pipes, heated in a tinned boiler in a stove, and poured into copper ladles. The queen also ordered a crystal bath, but it is not known whether this order was fulfilled.
At the same time, the tradition of having our own doctors appeared. Under Elizaveta Petrovna, the doctor Sanchez served, who independently published the work “A respectful essay on Russian baths”, where, comparing Russian baths with Roman and Turkish ones, he gave preference to Russian ones due to the heating of steam using a heater stove. Sanchez wrote: “Being composed of the elemental particles of fire and air and renewed at will, [steam] softens and does not relax. It expands the weapon in the breath, combat other veins, returns and restores these parts to the state in which they were before.”
During the cholera epidemic, Nicholas I specially came to the soap shop after traveling far away. There he washed thoroughly, completely changed his clothes, and only then went to his family. And the empress and wife of Alexander II, Maria Alexandrovna, suffering from consumption, alleviated her suffering there; she believed that she was prolonging her life through contrast baths.
In the 19th century, special baths and wet wraps were prescribed for relatives of emperors: the patient was wrapped in a sheet, covered with a blanket and feather bed, and given cold water to drink. After sweat began to appear, he was put under a cold shower, and then immersed in a bath.
The emperors, like all Russian people, believed in the healing power of baths, but also simply enjoyed going there. The bathhouse has had a dual function since the times of Ancient Rus': on the one hand, a person washes and enjoys the warm air, and on the other, he is treated.
Lobby of the Central Baths E.S. Egorova
How peasants and kings steamed
By the 18th century, the bathhouse had already become, according to the historian [Nikolai] Kostomarov, the first need of the Russian person in home life, both for cleanliness and for pleasure. There was even a saying: “The bathhouse soars, the bathhouse rules, the bathhouse will fix everything.”
There is evidence that even at the beginning of the 17th century, residents jumped into the ice hole in the cold after a bath, came back, and then ran out again. Only birch brooms were brought to the baths, which were used to tear and scrape the body to better open the pores.
Chamber cadet Friedrich Berchholtz, who was in the retinue of his father Count Wilhelm at the court of Peter I, spoke in his diary about the ritual of washing in a Russian bath. According to him, those who wanted to take a steam bath were placed on a shelf laid with straw and covered with a clean tablecloth; after a few minutes, the bathhouse attendant began to whip the person taking a steam bath with a birch broom, which opened the pores and increased the perspiration. The bath attendant then vigorously rubbed it with his fingers all over the body to remove impurities, and rubbed it with soap and washed it with warm or cold water as desired. Berchholz found the whole procedure pleasant, and he claimed that “it was as if he had been born again.”
The records of Sanchez and Berchholz indicate that the traditions of the classical Russian bath can be traced in imperial circles. In essence, the procedure did not change for people of different strata. The emperors steamed with the same tools that, for example, peasants used: ladles, steamers, gangs, and so on. And if you trace this tradition further, you will notice that even in the mists of time, during the times of Ancient Rus', everything followed a similar scenario.
This can be explained by the fact that the Russian bathhouse originally contained many important traditions. So, it was in Ancient Rus' that the first people began to use brooms - this is the most important difference between our bathhouse and the European one. In the Russian bathhouse, chamomile, mint, lavender, marjoram, lemon balm and sage were often used for aroma, and brooms were brewed in them: linden - for colds, birch - for lungs, oak - for muscle pain, juniper - for pulmonary diseases, viburnum - for cough, and also from elderberry - for joints.
Washing visitors in the baths of the Egorov brothers
How baths were improved and why a chandelier-shower was needed
Even under Elizaveta Petrovna, Rastrelli installed a lifting bottom in the imperial soap house in Peterhof, thanks to which water from the bay entered there. A special spray ball was installed here in the 1770s, which sprayed everyone. This was how they repeated the Russian tradition, according to which after a bath you need to cool down with water in order to harden the body.
In Tsarskoye Selo there were the Upper Baths, where Catherine II took a steam bath (the room consists of an entrance hall, a “dressing room”, a bathroom, a steam room, a stoker’s room and a relaxation room, decorated with copies of frescoes from the Golden House of Emperor Nero - approx. "Papers"). The courtiers came there in their underwear: girls in white cambric or silk shirts, men in white linen underpants and an undershirt.
After 1817, when the soap house in Peterhof was overhauled and Peter’s building was completely changed, even those who did not have close contact with the court could come to it. After the renovation, the new soap house began to be called the “Bathhouse for gentlemen and ladies-in-waiting.” The large steam room was lined with linden; they made their own entrance for the gentlemen, and their own for the ladies-in-waiting. At the same time, foot benches for baths, foot mats, an octagonal pool and more appeared. Thanks to the copper ball fountain, when leaving the bathhouse, a wave of many jets of water fell on the gentlemen and ladies-in-waiting, also beating from above, thus forming a water curtain.
Only in 1865–1866 did the architect Eduard Gan build a one-story red brick complex there, which has since been called the Bath complex. A polished oak bathtub built into the floor was installed in the Cold Bath. To enter it, steps were made with handrails made of turned balusters. A gilded shower chandelier was installed on the ceiling. At the final stage, the person descended into an oak barrel, into which water came from the Gulf of Finland.
