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GPS coordinates
N 57 14.350
E 26 12.700
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The “black smoke bania” – the sweating
bath and the hot tub “kubls”
Sweating bath (black bania)
There
is one very special place in Lacites – the “black
bania” or the sweating bath. You are invited to follow the ritual that has remained
unchanged for many centuries. The “black
bania” is one of the most ancient kinds of a sweating house (the steam
bath). In order to get the stones of the bath stove really hot they should be
heated for at least 6 hours. When the required temperature is achieved the smoke
from the fire burning inside the bath stove is expelled through the small window,
since the stove has no chimney. No wonder it does not take long before all the
walls and the ceiling would be covered in soot, resulting in this kind of
bath house being called “black”. Heat in the bathhouse is maintained with the
help of the heated stones, on which water is poured to create steam, which is
most important characteristic of the sweating bath. Since long ago such bathhouses
were widely spread in Latgale – the Eastern part of Latvia and were called the Latgalian black smoke bania. However, only
a few of them survived until modern days and continue to be used in the country
farmsteads. The “black bania” will meet you with a delicious smoky smell mixed
with the sweet aroma of the birch twig brooms used to lash the body, and big
towels to wrap yourselves afterwards. You may follow the sweating session with
a refreshing dive in the pond or the Gauja
River, which runs by the
bath-house or relax in the hot tub. You will feel like a new-born baby, with
both body and spirit purified.
“Kubls” – the
hot tub
This is really unforgettable experience! The “kubls” offers you a unique opportunity to enjoy the luxury of the
hot tub in the open air. The tradition to use the hot tub was brought over to
Europe in the previous century from Japan, where such hot tubs called furo or ofuro are extremely popular and normally placed inside the house.
Here in Latvia
the hot tub is known under the name “kubls”
(the tub). It is made of wood and heated by a small stove below to maintain the
water temperature warm. There are small benches inside the tub with the place
for approximately six people at a time. Sitting in a hot tub immersed in warm
water brings relaxation to the whole of your body, leaving your head pleasantly
cool. It feels excellent to combine the visit to the steaming bath with the hot
tub; however you can use them separately. The sweating bath and the “kubls” can accommodate 12 persons at a
time.
There is a roofed terrace with tables right beside the bath-house; 20 meters
away from the bath-house there is a covered pavilion with the fire-place,
tables, benches and a grill. Here you can relax after the bath and have some
refreshments. There is place for approximately 40 persons.
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Riverhouse
Sweating Bath
