Tula

Tula is a city in Tula Oblast, 185 km away from Moscow. The population is over 400,000 people.

Understand
Older than Moscow, primarily the city was a major outpost of nomads. In 1503, when it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Muscovy and its southern fort, a brick-walled kremlin was built. In 1552, the city withstood the 30,000-people-strong siege of Khan Devlet Geray. In the beginning of the 16th century, it was an epicenter of the Time of Troubles.

In 1712, Peter the Great ordered the establishment of a modern weapons factory, spurring development of a great industrial ironworking center, which is still Tula's main fame. Its local-made weapons, machine tools, samovars, accordions and pryaniki (gingerbread cakes) are reputed as of the highest quality.

By train
Trains arrive from Moscow (2 to 3.5 hours), Oryol, Kaluga and are served by two railway stations.

Get around
Buses, trolleybuses, marshrutkas, taxi.


 * Taxi Visit, phone: 360-360.
 * Taxi Volga, phone: 370-370.

Do

 * Central Park of Belousov

Learn

 * Tula State University
 * Tula State L.N.Tolstoy Pedagogical University

Free wi-fi

 * Tula State University at 92 Lenina st., from 7:30 to 19:00.
 * Cafe Blinnaya at 58a, Boldina st., and 6a, Khalturina st., from 10.00 to 23.00.

Go next

 * Kulikovo Pole.
 * Yasnaya Polyana, museum of the home of Tolstoy, author of War and Peace.
 * Filimonovo, the village of old-style clay toys with a museum. You can order a tour via their contacts in Tula: filmuseum@yandex.ru, +7(4872)56-01-55.