In Kaunas, the icon of bathhouses is being destroyed: instead of the traditional one with an oven, there is modernity

“Hundreds of Kaunas residents are writing a petition and otherwise trying to stop the destruction of Lampėdžiai pirtelė. This sauna, operating on the beach at the end of Gervių street, is planned to be destroyed. The municipality of Kaunas has foreseen the reconstruction of the beach, so it did not extend the permit for the Lampėdžii bathhouse”, – this is the news 15 minutes sent to the editorial office by reader Karolina Povilaitytė.

According to her, this unique and deep-rooted traditional sauna has been delighting its visitors, who number around 200 per weekend, for decades.

This is the only unique sauna in Kaunas, distinguished by the fact that it is fired with firewood according to old traditions, it is built on the shore of the lake, so you can pamper yourself with a bath at any time of the year, and in winter there is always a healthy bath waiting for you.

Gathered the community

“This sauna attracts bathers from all over Lithuania. Ancient customs and rituals of the sauna are shared here. It is a great place that rejuvenates body and soul. Over the years, she has built a healthy living community of over a thousand members who have made this place their home.

The residents of Kaunas are asking to extend the permit and to adjust the planned beach renovation projects so that this bathhouse is not destroyed and continues to delight Kaunas residents and city guests,” said Karolina, a visitor to the bathhouse.

The visitors found out about the fact that the sauna, which is standing on the shore of Lake Lampėdžis, will be destroyed, in March, when the permission to operate was not extended due to the reconstruction that was about to begin.

“The permit was always extended for three years, but since 2018, it has been extended for one year only. In March of this year, the municipality said that it would no longer renew the permit,” assured K. Povilaitytė.

According to her, a tender for the construction of a new sauna is promised. However, this will no longer be traditional, it will be modern. According to the reader, the reconstruction of the beach should have started already in April.

“Edgaras Varanavičius, the son of the owner of the sauna, spoke with the manager of the reconstruction contractors, who assured that the sauna was not “in the way” of the reconstruction, but when he called the municipality, he still received an answer that the sauna would not be left,” explained the reader.

“The best sauna in the world”

Karolina sent a link to the page where the petition is published for the preservation of the sauna of Lake Lampėdžis. It was signed by 713 people during the week from April 24.

“Even Vilnius does not have such a beach with a sauna. This is the pride of Kaunas,” said Karolis, who signed it.

“The ‘modern’ sauna on the other side of the Lampėdžii sauna is just a parody of a sauna. And this one is very good. Why destroy it?” asked another.

According to Povilas, who supports the petition, this sauna is very good, special in that it has a wood-burning stove.

“The best sauna in the world,” he added.

Rolandas, who signed the petition, said that this bathhouse is a place of health for all the people of Kaunas, families cherish traditions there.

According to Gintaras, another sauna lover, this is the only sauna near the center of Kaunas, which is built on the shore of the lake.

“Running to the eket in winter is just perfect, it is also heated with the heat of a real fire, which is hard to find in modern saunas,” claimed Gintaras.

“I’ve been visiting it for a number of years, it’s a unique public bath on the shore of the lake. It is necessary to leave the stove-fired wellness oasis,” assured another person who signed the petition.

Darius agreed with him: “This sauna is a local icon – let it live and make Kaunas happy!”.

“It will be necessary to demolish”

How 15 minutes said E.Varanavičius, the son of the owner of the sauna on Lake Lampėdžis, representatives of the Kaunas city municipality have decided that the sauna will remain in that place, only in a different way – modern and contemporary, with toilets and showers. His mother promises to participate in the tender for the construction of a new sauna, which the municipality will announce after the reconstruction of the beach.

“My mother has been running it for about 16 years. It will be necessary to demolish, and what should be done?”, when asked what will happen to the currently standing sauna, which is so loved by everyone, answered E. Varanavičius.

It should work until May 31. According to the interviewer, this is the retired mother’s only activity.

“Mom is upset, but whatever you write, tell me if it will help. Thanks to the people who are trying to save, to help us,” he thanked.

According to E. Varanavičius, 100 to 200 people visit the sauna during the four days of operation – from Thursday to Sunday.

“This sauna is authentic, rustic, fired with firewood,” the interviewer introduced the uniqueness.

The price of the renewal is 1.4 million. euros

How 15 minutes said Aloyzas Pakalniškis, Head of the City Management Department of the Kaunas City Municipality Administration, for a common Kaunian, Lake Lampėdžis is the same as the seashore, therefore, continuous work is being done on the renovation of the beach in the southern part.

“First of all, we solved the issue of convenient transportation and parking at Gerviu Street by installing a roundabout and a spacious parking lot.

We have prepared and are ready to implement a modern and contemporary beach project with all the necessary infrastructure: changing cabins, lifeguard and medical stations, fitness equipment, a volleyball court, a comfortable wooden path adapted for the disabled. Small architecture is planned in the territory – from outdoor benches to bike racks”, A. Pakalniškis presented future changes.

The city has earmarked 1.4 million for these works. euros. The reconstruction should be implemented this year.

According to the representative of the municipality, one of the more prominent innovations will be the fact that the Dovinė street stretching along the beach is planned to be closed off from car traffic, leaving the passage only for local residents. This space will supposedly serve the pedestrians coming to the beaches so that everyone feels safe. The place for cars, as A. Pakalniškis explained, is in the newly expanded parking lot.

So, in the future, cars will no longer be able to drive up to the current location of the bathhouse at the cul-de-sac. Therefore, the question of adjusting the location of the sauna itself is being considered so that sauna lovers arriving in the cold season do not have to walk longer from the parking lot.

Will strive for a more aesthetic image

How 15 minutes said Sonata Šėlienė, head of the Licenses, Permits and Services Department of the Kaunas City Municipality Administration, Kaunas residents will definitely not be without sauna entertainment – the project provides a place for a new sauna, to which all necessary communications will be brought.

“After the completion of the reconstruction project, it is planned to announce a tender for the provision of sauna services. Anyone can participate in it. This should improve not only the quality of the service, but also ensure a more aesthetic image of the future sauna building, which will be in harmony with the environment of the renovated beach”, assured the representative of the municipality.

According to her, the expiration date of the existing sauna permit coincided with the planned start of the reconstruction, therefore, after the renovation of the recreation area, the owner of the sauna will have to move.

He was allegedly informed about this at the stage of project preparation since 2017.

“The sauna has been standing for more than a decade. We have not received any complaints from the residents (about the planned plans – official post), S. Šēlienė assured.