Tula is one of the most ancient cities in Russia. The city arose on the lands inhabited by the Slavic tribe of Vyatichi. For many centuries this city was a very important administrative, industrial and commercial center. It is inextricably linked with historical events that entailed the unification of all Russian lands under Moscow.
First settlements
The exact date of the founding of the city has sunk into oblivion, but for the first time it became known about it from the annals dating back to 1146. Modern Tula is located south of the first settlements. Over time, residents moved closer to the area where the Tulitsa River flowed into Upu. Here Chernihiv princes decided to build an oak fortress and call it Tula.
Development
The defensive structure occupied an important strategic position and was located on the southernmost edge of the Russian state, which had just begun to form. The fortress repeatedly passed from hand to hand. She survived the invasion of Batu in 1237 and Tokhtamysh in 1382, as well as numerous raids of the Nogai and Crimean Tatars. Even the Lithuanian conquerors managed to visit here! Only in 1503 did Tula finally depart to the Moscow Principality.
In 1514, Moscow Prince Vasily III inside the oak fortress ordered the stone city to be built, that is, the Kremlin. The construction was completed after 6 years. Since that time, Tula has become a defensive line, protecting the southern approaches to Moscow. Later, in the XVII century, the city was already a well-fortified reliable military camp, at any moment ready to repel enemy attacks.
Tula fortress has always been quite densely built up and populated, and all because the market was located on its western side, where brisk trade was conducted. Rapidly developing crafts were supposed to meet the needs of residents and the defense needs of the state. Since the construction of the stone Kremlin, the city of Tula has become the center of an important defensive line that guards the southern approaches to the capital of the Moscow principality.
Excursions
This city is quite popular among tourists because it has a rich historical past. He can tell a lot of interesting facts about the formation of the Russian state and the emergence of crafts, so guests have something to see in Tula.
You can just go for a walk around the city, but it is best to use the services of professional guides. Travel agencies offer interesting Tula tours not only for adults, but also for schoolchildren. Numerous museums and unusual floating fountains will surely please you and your children.
Museums
Given the rich past of the city, tourists and locals with great pleasure visit the museums of Tula and its other attractions. It will be interesting to learn about the history of the development of weapons, the famous delicacy, printed gingerbread, or the oldest Russian factory for the production of accordions and button accordions.
One of the most famous is the Tula Museum of Fine Arts. It has several branches: the Tula Kremlin, an exposition dedicated to the works of the artist P. N. Krylov, Spasskoye and Exhibition Hall.
Tula fortress
The stone Kremlin is the most popular among visitors, and this is not surprising, because it has not only historical, but also aesthetic significance both for the city and for the whole country.
The Tula Kremlin is a regular fortress, which is a monument of ancient Russian defense architecture. It consists of a rectangular territory, the area of which is 6 hectares. The walls erected around it around the perimeter have a length of about 1 km.
Today, the ensemble of the Tula Kremlin consists not only of towers and walls. It included two cathedrals - Epiphany and Holy Assumption, as well as the shopping arcade of the XIX century and the first power station in Russia of the XX century.
Guides offer amazing journeys through the architectural ensemble: in the warmer months you can walk along the towers and walls of the fortress, from which you can admire the vast panorama of the city.
Unique exhibitions are held here from year to year - residents and guests of Tula can see the instruments of punishment that have existed in the country since the 16th century. This includes expositions related to the history of the construction of the fortress, stories about the famous Tula, and much more.
Art exposition
Residents and guests of the city will not be indifferent to the numerous museums of Tula. One of them is dedicated to the artwork of Porfiry Nikitich Krylov, a native of this city. The branch has about two thousand historical documents and personal items, as well as more than two hundred paintings that belonged to the artist.
The museum exposition clearly conveys every stage of the life of a talented master. Here you will not find either cartoons or cartoons, although he was a member of the famous trinity of cartoonists "Kukryniksy". The artist's works presented here consist of portraits and still lifes, a special place in his work is given to the landscape. And this is understandable, because Tula was endowed with the native land for Porfiry Nikitich, endowed with beautiful panoramas that one would like to put on the canvas.
This exhibition is interesting not only for adults. If you decide to go on an excursion to this ancient city, then take your children with you - they will have something to do. A variety of events are held for them, for example, entertaining lectures, including “Hello, Museum”, musical matinees, etc. An excellent creative team will always find something to please and surprise the kids and their parents.
The city of gunsmiths
As you know, the museums of Tula are very interesting and informative. Tourists who come to this city in large numbers try to visit them as much as possible. One of such cultural places is the famous Tula State Museum of Arms, where not only adults, but also children can spend their time with benefit. Believe me, there is something to see here. In Tula, from ancient times, they were engaged in the development and production of weapons. Excursions prove to visitors the crucial importance of arms production in shaping the great history of Russia.
For example, when at the beginning of 1940 it became clear that the Soviet Union could not avoid a war with Germany, engineer G. S. Shpagin began to design new weapons for the Red Army. Tula began to develop and manufacture a new model submachine gun at its factory - the famous PPSh.
An extensive exhibition, put on public display, allows guests to find out complete information about the development of weapons, from the XVI century to the present day. The museum includes collections of models of muzzle-loading combat, automatic, sports, hunting and other weapons. In addition, there is a beautiful numismatic collection that contains commemorative and anniversary medals, orders, state awards and badges.
There is also a fund with historical documents and print media. Not the last place in it is occupied by the graphic collection - drawings of automatic weapons and sketches of its decoration. Such famous artists as I.V.Sherbino and V.P. Gustov worked on them. The print media includes magazines found at the arms factory in the late 19th century: The Artillery Journal and The Weapons Collection. This also includes books on historical subjects about weapons and autographs of famous gunsmiths N.F. Tokarev and M.T. Kalashnikov.
A range of historical values closes the artillery collection. It is represented mainly by samples of gun trunks, which also causes considerable interest and makes an indelible impression on museum visitors.
Museum "Demidov Necropolis"
Speaking of what to see in Tula, it is impossible not to recall the Demidovs, who are known as the dynasty of large industrialists. Their family included lawyers, military men, writers, musicians, gunsmiths, scientists, philanthropists, and simply philanthropists. Demidov traveled around the world and collected antiques and works of art.
In memory of the dynasty in 1996, when the 340th anniversary of the birth of the Tula blacksmith and gunsmith ND Demidov was celebrated, the historical and memorial museum "Demidov Necropolis" was erected. Its basis is the family tomb, located in the St. Nicholas Church.
The museum exposition consists of a unique archaeological site of the tomb. It found unique images of representatives of the Demidov family, weapons from the 16th-18th centuries, copper utensils and cutlery of the 18th century, unusual sundials, lock and hardware items and one of the oldest astronomical objects - astrolabe. All these items are in the museum "Demidov Necropolis" and exhibited for inspection.
Samovar and the history of its production
One of the most interesting cities for tourists remains Tula. Samovar in Russia to this day is associated with this city, since its best samples have always been made here. It is not surprising that the Tula Samovar Museum is located here. Its purpose is to visually show visitors the history of the development of this business, as well as demonstrate from the point of view of art.
The museum exposition has a collection of 300 exhibits presented in a historical and everyday style. For example, a samovar of A. Yu. Parichko’s system with a removable jug for fuel is rarely seen in Russian exhibition halls or in private collections, but you will certainly find such a copy in the Tula Samovar museum. Here is the oldest example of the first Tula factory of the Lisitsyn 1800.
Here, tourists will find decorative samovars from the most unexpected material: glass, porcelain, vines, wood, clay, birch bark and even sugar. Museum guides will certainly show guests other types of water heaters: a samovar-coffee pot, a samovar, a beaten man and unique examples from the Soviet Union. Their size is also of great importance. The museum presents both huge seventy-liter pantries and tiny samovars, designed for only three drops of water.
Tula gingerbread
Speaking of Tula, it is impossible not to recall the world famous Tula gingerbread cookies. In honor of this delicacy, a whole museum of the same name was founded in the city. Having been here, visitors will learn the history of the preparation of delicious sweets, its centuries-old rites and traditions. The walls of the museum keep many secrets, including how to make a real, traditional gingerbread for this area. Tula, by the way, has always been famous for its extraordinary delicacies. The oldest of them, which has survived to this day, was prepared in 1685.
Thanks to a visit to the museum, you will learn about events from the history of Russia, and, in particular, about the city with the beautiful name Tula. What to see with children? The answer to this question is very simple - the Tula Gingerbread Museum. They will be very interested in hearing about this popular pastry, looking at fancy gingerbread pictures.
In addition, to the great joy of young visitors, at the end of the tour everyone is invited to taste the gingerbread with tea. Also here you can buy all kinds of delicious souvenirs, for example, congratulatory, honorary, personalized, historical or holiday.
Fountains
If you are going to relax with children in the hot season, be sure to visit the fountains of Tula. In the city there are about forty. Nine of them are currently under reconstruction.
The most popular are two floating fountains, which are located on the Upa River near the Zarechensky Bridge. They are located at a distance from each other in such a way that they can be seen not only walking along the bridge or along the river, but also from the windows of the Tula State Museum of Weapons. The presented fountains throw trickles of water up to three meters high above the surface of the river. Similar fountains can be found only in ten settlements of the Russian Federation.
Tula is the same age as Moscow. That is why there is a lot of interesting things. So what to look at? In Tula, in addition to museums, there are historical monuments dedicated to great people, many ancient temples, and even a necropolis. In addition, you will have the opportunity to try a real gingerbread. Tula is always glad to guests. Every Russian should understand: in order to have a good rest, it is not necessary to go to the seas and foreign resorts, because in Russia there are extraordinary places worthy of your attention.