The Tula Kremlin is the heart of Tula, one of the most ancient structures that has survived centuries of war, siege and destruction. This is the only fortress that was erected not on a hill, but in a lowland. And it was protected not only by mounds and ditches created by people, but also by nature: swamps, rivers and ravines.
The Tula Kremlin has the shape of a regular rectangle, consists of 9 towers, 4 of them are travel. The museum complex covers an area of 6 hectares, and the length of all walls exceeds 11 km. Oak gates and iron gratings were installed on the passage towers.
The visiting card of the Tula Kremlin is the tower of the Odoevsky Gate with a green dome, which was made during the restoration. The path from it led to the city of Odoyevsky. Another significant building is the Spasskaya Tower, named after the Church of the Savior. It was she who notified the population about the danger - an alarm was set on it, and gunpowder was kept inside the building.
Gunpowder was located in the Nikitinskaya tower, there was also a torture and a prison. It got its name because of its proximity to the church of St. Nikita. A photo exhibition is now located in the tower of the Ivanovskiye Gates, thanks to which you can trace how the Tula Kremlin and the city have changed over the years. Armor, firearms and banners were kept in the Pyatnitskaya tower.
The Tula Kremlin is decorated with two churches - the Assumption and Epiphany Cathedrals. The first was built in 1776, and the second was erected in the 19th century in memory of those who died in the war of 1812.
On the territory of the Tula Kremlin there is also a power plant, built in 1900, but it has not been operating since the 30s of the XX century. Now this building houses a museum with exhibits of folk art.
History of the Tula Kremlin
The construction of the Tula Kremlin began in the 16th century, when Vasily III ordered a wooden fortress to be erected on the banks of the Upa. And already in the 20s of the same century, stone walls were built inside. Since that time, the Cathedral of the Epiphany, the Assumption Cathedral, a power station and a shopping arcade have been erected on the territory. Now it is recognized as a monument of federal significance and an open-air museum complex.
This serious obstacle repulsed the first attack with dignity in 1552. The city was attacked by Khan Devlet-Girey with an army of 30,000. The Tulyaks withstood the siege before the arrival of troops from Kolomna, and the victory over the khan was won on the Shivoron River. The Tula Kremlin will remember False Dmitry and Ivan Bolotnikov, and in the 17th century Tula acquired a new status - a city of craftsmen.
How to get to the Tula Kremlin?
The exact address of the Tula Kremlin is st. Mendeleevskaya, 2. It is located in the very center of the capital of the Tula region. The nearest public transport stop is 200 meters away. To get to this historical place, you need to get off at one of three stops: "Lenin Prospect", "Central Market" or "Lenin Square".
Excursions and opening hours
The entrance to the territory of the Tula Kremlin is free. On the territory of the historical complex there is a large area with benches and a lawn where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful views. Working hours: on weekdays from 10.00 to 20.00, on weekends from 10.00 to 18.00. You can also book a tour of the Kremlin and be on the walls and inside the towers.
On the territory there is a museum "Tula Kremlin", which works according to the following schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday - from 10.00 to 18.00, Thursday and Friday - from 10.00 to 20.00. Cleaning day is the last Wednesday of every month. The opening hours of all museums located on the territory of the Tula Kremlin are the same.
The museum contains expositions related to famous people of the region and historical events; it contains ancient artifacts of the 16th-17th centuries. Among them are coins, dishes, jewelry, weapons, etc. The museum also presents a model of the Tula Kremlin of the 17th century with the temple of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, houses of artisans and boyars, defensive capabilities of the towers.
