One-day Tula Tour from Moscow1 Day | Tula Kremlin, Assumption Cathedral, Epiphany Cathedral, Gingerbread Museum, Museum of Samovars, Museum of Weapons

The city of Tula, located on the banks of the Upa River 180 km south of Moscow, boasts a long history with rich traditions that can still be discovered today. On this 1-day Historical Traditions of Tula: Samovar, Gingerbread, and Weapons tour from Moscow, you’ll visit museums dedicated to these three famous Tula traditions, and even try making gingerbread for yourself! You’ll also discover the city’s oldest building, its impressive Kremlin, as well as old churches and other architectural gems.

Tour Itinerary

Moscow – Tula – Moscow

07:15 Meet your driver and tour leader at the hotel.
07:30 Depart for Tula (180 km, 2h30min).
10:30 Take a guided tour of Tula’s historical city centre. Explore Sovetskaya and Mendeleevskaya Streets, which, with their many old buildings, are like an open-air museum. Continue to Lenin Square, which hosts the building of the regional government. Then discover the territory of the ancient Tula Kremlin. Surrounded by the Kremlin Garden and with access to the embankment of the Upa River, the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin includes nine towers, a recreated “siege courtyard’ (wooden complex of buildings protected by a wooden fence), and two cathedrals. Visit the magnificent 1766 Assumption Cathedral with its bell tower and see the monumental Epiphany Cathedral.
12:00 Visit the Gingerbread Museum. It’s impossible to visit Tula and not taste the city’s famous gingerbread. Gingerbread-making in Tula was, and remains, a real art. At the museum, you’ll learn about the history of gingerbread and discover how designs have been imprinted on Tula gingerbread since the 17th century. You’ll also see gingerbread dedicated to important occasions, samples of gingerbread from other countries, and moulds that famous pastry chefs used to make such delicacies. The visit ends with a master class during which you’ll have the opportunity to make your own gingerbread.
14:00 Lunch.
15:30 Visit the Museum of Samovars (closed on the last Wednesday of each month) to discover how Tula’s famous tradition of samovar-making emerged and developed. View the collection of 18th-20th century samovars and learn the unique stories behind these objects. The collection includes samovars of all sizes, from miniature ones that hold only a few drops of water, to copies of miniature samovars given as gifts to the children of Emperor Nicholas II and large 70 litre containers.
17:00 Visit the Museum of Weapons, the oldest such museum in Russia and one of Tula’s main attractions. The museum is located on the other side of the Upa River, opposite the main gate of the Tula Arms Factory. As part of your tour of its impressive new permanent collection, you’ll learn about the factory’s outstanding technical achievements.
18:15 Depart for Moscow (180 km, 2h45min).
21:00 Arrive at the hotel. End of the tour.

Duration of sightseeing tour: 13-14 hours

RECOMMENDATIONS: Bring comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for the weather. Please note: when visiting Orthodox churches, men must take off their hats while women must cover their heads. We therefore recommend that ladies wishing to visit churches bring along a headscarf.