Valamo Sauna Day on Saturday 13.6.2026
Finnish Sauna Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June, commemorating the sauna's significance in Finnish culture and lifestyle. Valamo Monastery's Sauna Day offers a great opportunity to experience sauna traditions in the sacred area of Papinniemi.
In Christianity, water is a symbol of purification and new life, gaining its deepest meaning in baptism. The Orthodox tradition also includes the blessing of water and immersions in holy waters.
During the sauna day, prepare your own whisk and hear the story of Finnish sauna tradition. Enjoy a relaxing sauna experience at the idyllic lakeside sauna and refresh yourself with a dip in the holy Lake Juojärvi.
Explore the fascinating monastery environment, churches, and diverse cultural offerings. The day is crowned by a Valamo Tea Table, offering delicious taste experiences.
Come and spend a peaceful sauna day in Valamo's beautiful and prayerful environment!
Program:
10:00 Welcome moment in front of the monastery's reception building
Making whisks under the guidance of Obedience Brother Mattias
12:00 Moleben, opportunity to participate in a prayer service in the Old Church /
Monastery buffet lunch (self-funded 18 €/person)
13:00-15:00 Lakeside sauna, men's turn
* Piia Martikainen will give women an overview of Finnish sauna tradition and how we can care for ourselves in the sauna.
* Women have the opportunity to explore the monastery environment, churches, and the monastery's cultural offerings, as well as a guided tour of the library with Librarian Virva Suvitie.
Opportunity to explore the monastery's exhibitions:
Rudolf Koivu ‑ A Fairytale Illustrator -art exhibition in the Cultural Center
Admission 12 € / adult. Under 18 years old free. The same ticket also grants admission to the Monastery Museum.
https://valamo.fi/a/21-10-2025/rudolf-koivu-nayttely-valamossa-v2026
Silk and Gold Embroidery Exhibition at Valamo Folk High School
https://valamo.fi/a/04-02-2026/silkki--ja-kultakirjontatyo--nayttely-valamon-opistossa
15:00-17:00 Lakeside sauna, women's turn
* Piia Martikainen will give men an overview of Finnish sauna tradition and how we can care for ourselves in the sauna.
* Men have the opportunity to explore the monastery environment, churches, and the monastery's cultural offerings, as well as a guided tour of the library with Librarian Virva Suvitie.
17:00 Valamo Tea Table, Restaurant Trapesa's Emperor's Cabinet
The tea table includes: tea and raspberry jam, pickled cucumbers with sour cream and honey, salmon pie, cabbage pie, pound cake, biscuits, sweets, and fruits.
18:00 Opportunity to participate in the vigil service in the monastery's main church
Day program 40 €/person (includes the program, a whisk, sauna session, soft drink, and Valamo Tea Table)
Registrations by 7.6.2026
To Valamo sales service, tel. 017 570 1810, salesservice@valamo.fi
Also inquire about accommodation!
More information: virva.suvitie@valamo.fi
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A delegation from the Finnish Sauna Society's communications committee visited Valamo Sauna Day last summer. Read the article about the visit in Sauna magazine 2025/3 on page 60: www.issuu.com/sauna-lehti/docs/sauna-lehti_3_2025
A representative from SaunaAtlas also visited Valamo's saunas, and they were added to their map service: https://saunaatlas.com/
