Progress has changed our lives in so many ways. How could people have imagined before that they would perform water procedures without leaving home? What day will come when they do not have to get to the nearest bath with basins, washcloths, brooms and other accessories? Today, most people have already abandoned this, but there are still those who remain devoted to the good old baths, albeit not very often, but from time to time visiting institutions in different parts of the city in search of the best. Is it possible to go there with the whole family? Is there at least one joint bath in Moscow where, without hiding, both men and women can wash? And if there is, where to look for them and are there any special rules for those who want to visit them? We will look for answers to all these questions together.
Historical excursion
The tradition of making separate baths for representatives of different sexes is far from new. Even then, when people understood the difference between men and women, they began to use their toilet in the presence of representatives of only their gender in order to avoid embarrassment. In the baths, usually several halls were made, some were given to men, others to women. And in small saunas they could set a time at which representatives of only one gender were to come.
A joint bathhouse (men and women were allowed in at the same time) was more a necessity than a whim: for example, it was not possible to organize separate “wash sessions” for men and women. Today, when the function of the bath has changed a bit (now it is more fun than the only way to keep yourself clean), representatives of different sexes can freely spend time there together, not necessarily even naked.
How about in Europe?
Joint public baths have long existed in European countries. True, there is one very important rule: no swimwear and swimming trunks, because at this temperature, which is in the steam room, the fabric will prevent the evaporation of excess fluid from the body, thereby causing overheating. Who knows how this could end? Perhaps it is precisely because of this that in the West people are not shy about their nudity in such a situation, realizing that the consequences may not be the most pleasant.
In Russia and even in post-Soviet countries, people are not so liberated, therefore, they go to joint saunas, baths in what they bathe in the sea. It is difficult to say whether care about health or the sense of beauty of others is more important, and yet society imposes a certain framework due to which we feel very awkward when naked or surrounded by naked people, whether it is familiar or not. In any case, the traditions of Russia in this regard are significantly different from Western ones.
"Warsaw baths"
So, let's move on to the specifics. It is clear that a joint bath in Moscow is far from one, moreover, a large number of complexes today offer to rent a separate sauna, where representatives of different sexes can be located at the same time, this already depends on the customer. One of the establishments where this is available is the Warsaw Baths located on 34 Warsaw Highway.
Customers note that not only the bathhouse itself is excellent there, but also the restaurant located at it. Halls of different capacities, decorated in different styles, are available for rent. In addition, the complex offers rental sheets, so even the most shy will not have to blush with representatives of the other sex.
"Tsaritsyn baths"
The Tsaritsyn baths, located at the metro station of the same name, on Luganskaya Street 10, have also proven themselves. This complex, among other things, arranges special sessions for naturists - people who are completely without complexes. You can spend three hours in booths for 6-8 people (taking into account the specifics of the session, women in a joint bath in Moscow will pay only 800 rubles instead of the usual 1,300 for this bath). As in many other similar establishments, a restaurant and bar are available.
And from the fact that bath lovers are usually more interested, a font, shower cabins, cabins with overturning barrels of cold water are available. Judging by the reviews, Tsaritsyn baths are some of the best in the capital, so you won’t have to regret visiting them.
B-69
“B-69” is an amazing island of peace and tranquility in the center of a noisy capital. True, this is more of a sauna than a joint bath in Moscow. Its address is Vavilova Street, 69, Profsoyuznaya metro station. The prices there, of course, are not very affordable, but a separate plus is the presence of two completely diverse halls - the Greek one, decorated in the spirit of antiquity, and African, with the wild simplicity inherent in this continent. As in most baths, there is a restaurant and bar, but you can come with your own food. Guests can use the services of massage therapists, smoke a hookah and enjoy aromatherapy.
"Vorontsov baths"
The legendary Vorontsov Baths (Vorontsovsky Lane, 5/7, p. 1), unfortunately, do not allow men and women to wash together, but they are happy to provide saunas for up to six people for rent by a representative of both sexes. The advantages here include the fact that the complex works around the clock, so those who do not go to bed before dawn, and those who wake up at that very dawn and already want to relax in a pleasant atmosphere, can enjoy this place.
The only condition is to rent a room for more than two hours, for which you will have to pay from three to six thousand rubles, depending on the presence of a pool in a particular sauna and the capacity of the steam room.
"Sandunovsky baths"
The regulars almost universally advise another truly legendary institution - “Sandunovsky baths”. Address of the institution: Neglinnaya, 14, p. 3-7. As in most other complexes, there are separate categories (they are halls) for men and women. The opportunity to relax together for both sexes is provided in separate number baths of different capacities. Here the number baths also work around the clock. Their price, as already understood, depends on capacity: for a company of four people you will have to pay 4000 rubles per hour, and for the largest, out of ten people, seven or eight thousand. One can safely say that this is perhaps the most popular joint bath in Moscow. Reviews about this place are the most positive, with both individual and general categories, so the "Sanduny", as the people call this bath, is one of the complexes that are almost a must to visit.
"Lefortovo baths"
A pure bathhouse for men and women in its pure form is very rare in Moscow - usually these are still separate categories available for rent. This service is also offered by Lefortovsky Baths, located on 9a Lefortovsky Val. Here, however, there are some peculiarities: the rooms and saunas rented out can accommodate from four to six people, and you need to pay for them based on the number of guests: 600 rubles per person per hour, and the minimum price is 1200, that is, for two human. In addition, you can also rent a double room for 1200 rubles per hour.
And the biggest bonus is the ability to "occupy" an entire Russian steam room, which can accommodate as many as thirty people - this is an excellent option in order to hold a large-scale celebration, corporate event, for example. According to reviews, in addition to standard brooms, sheets and hats, honey, herbs, and various types of massages are also offered here.
Not only in Moscow!
But you do not think that a joint trip to the bath is possible only in Moscow? Other cities are no worse! For example, the Northern capital offers the Bathhouse Club, which, unfortunately, works only from mid-Tuesday until Wednesday morning, from four to six. This place is located on Lotsmanskaya street, 20, you have to get from the Sadovaya / Sennaya metro station or from Narvskaya. An interesting and payment system: until seven in the evening the ladies go for free, then they pay 300 rubles; men from four to midnight pay 1000, and if they arrived on Wednesday, then 300.
The rules prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs, and for indecent treatment of ladies, they can also be removed. In addition, special programs are held with master classes and trainings in which all those present can participate. True, in the general department you have to walk in a bathing suit, bathrobe or sheet, but the very feeling of being in a bath blocks this nuisance for lovers of nudity.
General rules
It doesn’t matter if you prefer regular, separate or shared baths. Men, women in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan and in all cities must adhere to certain rules.
It is clear that going to the bathhouse for cancer and pregnancy is strictly prohibited. But the fact that before going to the steam room it is recommended to take a shower, however, few know the gels and soaps that remove the grease film from the body and make sweating more difficult. No alcohol: its effect under the influence of heat will only increase. In the steam room itself, you need to cover your head, especially if the hair is wet, otherwise an additional load will be placed on the vessels of the brain. And after the steam room, it is already recommended to have a cold shower or snowing traditional for Russia: temperature contrast will only enhance the healing effect of the bath. The most important rule: do not test yourself in any case - at the slightest sign of discomfort, you need to leave the steam room and take a break from the heat.
The moral side of the issue
I would also like to note that a joint bath in Moscow is a chamber rather than a common phenomenon. And the mentality of the post-Soviet states, as mentioned above, is very different from the European one. It is very likely that over time the situation will change and the scope of shame will expand slightly. And on the other hand, the question arises of the feeling of beauty: everyone has a different attitude to the human body, and it is hardly possible to be in a company where everyone will be happy with everything. In addition, people of the older generation can join trips to the bathhouse, being together next to which is closer is completely unacceptable. Therefore, the issue of joint baths will be discussed for a long time. Arguments can be made both for and against, but the choice remains for each visitor to the bathhouse.
Different types of baths
It was said above that a variety of types of private offices can offer a joint bath in Moscow. The description of these different establishments will allow you to choose exactly where to have a good time.
Russian bath is the most famous and one of the oldest. Its peculiarity is that hot stones are poured with water, which causes wet steam. In the Finnish sauna (by the way, in the translation “sauna” means “bathhouse”), the system, in general, is the same, but a different arrangement of the furnace, and stones are poured much less often, which is why the steam there is not so wet. An interesting option is a Japanese bath, more like our bath: a person plunges chest into a barrel filled with water at a temperature of 45 degrees, warming up there.
There are also dry baths. You can steam in sawdust, heated to 60 degrees, saturated with special oils. Or you can use a special bag filled with herbs or birch leaves. Even ancient scientists noted the benefit of the sand bath, which we find more often in the form of a children's game - the fact that children bury adults in the sand has a positive effect on their body. Avicenna advised combining such a bath with a watermelon: the berry will have a diuretic effect, but excess fluid will be excreted from the body with sweat, which will actively absorb sand.
That is why you should not go in cycles in any one bath, it is better to experiment to choose something the very best.
Finally
So, a joint bath in Moscow is not a very common phenomenon, but almost all bath houses in the capital offer rental of small rooms where representatives of different sexes can gather. The question is only in choosing a place - everything here already depends on personal preferences and recommendations of friends. In addition, the issue of money is also important, but usually for a trip to the room department of the bathhouse, providing this privacy, you will have to pay somewhere around 4000-5000 thousand rubles. per hour, which can be divided into all. So know that in the capital there is an opportunity to take a steam bath in a bathhouse even by a heterogeneous company. Know and take advantage of this great opportunity not only to have a great time, but also to improve your health.