THE SPIRIT OF HELSINKI: A Blue Moment

The Yrjönkatu swimming hall is the first, eldest and most beautiful public swimming hall in Finland. The first visitors plunged naked into the water in June 1928. The pool was all nude until 2001 when they allowed access in swimsuits. Swimming naked is still going strong. Although we are in Finland, men and women take turns to swim. The charm of the swimming hall is in the ambiance. After a swim or an aquajog it is time to move upstairs into a private booth, have a sauna, warmed up either with wood, steam or infra-red light, followed by a glass of mead or sparkling wine in your bathrobe. Oh, the small joys of life.