the troubles tour bus

Troubles Tour Belfast

Learn about the troubles tour belfast.

Come with us on a walking tour where you’ll explore Belfast’s history of political, economic, and social unrest by visiting key sites associated with the conflict; peace walls, political murals, and the sites of attacks and bombs. 

This tour is a deep dive into the history and impact of the Troubles in Belfast, exploring the physical and emotional barriers that divided communities and the reconciliation efforts that followed. Led by experienced guides with first-hand knowledge of the conflict, this tour provides a powerful and thought-provoking experience.

You’ll learn about the causes of conflict within a historical context and you’ll see how Belfast’s past and future relates to all our stories. You’ll get to know and understand, the history, politics and conflict of Belfast but also the music, art and culture of the complex, wonderful city we call home. This is so much more than a standard tour, it’s an experience that will leave Belfast with you.

Discover history of Belfast's Troubles

Discover the history of Belfast’s Troubles on a walking tour through the city’s streets. Learn about the conflict, its causes, and its impact on the people of Northern Ireland. Explore the Peace Walls, Political Murals, memorials, and landmarks that tell the story of this turbulent time in Belfast’s past. Join us for a fascinating journey through history and gain a deeper understanding of the conflict.

What You Will Do

Starting at Belfast City Hall, you’ll meet your guide, an expert local historian and master storyteller, who has brought Belfast history to life for thousands of visitors from around the world in an original and engaging way, but the ins and outs of this treasure of  a city. From the meeting spot, you’ll proceed to walk in a small group towards the world-renowned Peace Walls. Along the way, you’ll learn about the historical and political aspects of the ‘Troubles,’ as well as the day-to-day realities of life, told in human terms based on lived experience. 

The tour wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the International Wall to view the political art and thought-provoking murals before returning to Belfast City Centre. Along our return, you’ll learn about another side to Belfast, too. You’ll come to appreciate modern Belfast, vibrant and full of creativity and hope. 

The tour is objective, factually accurate and detailed with plenty of time for questions. You will be engaged, informed and undoubtedly entertained. Most importantly, you will leave with a lasting memory of the place we call home, a place we love so much we wrote a book about it, ‘The Little Book of Belfast’.

We can’t wait to welcome you here in Belfast! 

Learn History Of The Troubles

At every step, you will learn about the history of ‘The Troubles’ and civil rights, the prejudiced and hate-filled atmosphere, the emergence of peace walls and political murals, and sites that are central to the story. You’ll receive a unique understanding of  the Troubles and the peace process, and its effect on the city’s economics and industry.

Belfast Walking Tour Reviews

Belfast troubles walking tour, view upcoming tours.

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Belfast Political Tour

One conflict. Two guides. Two stories

The Belfast Political Tour is a three hour walking tour led by ex-prisoners from both a Republican and a Loyalist background.

The political conflict known as ‘the Troubles’ raged through Belfast and Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1998. On this tour you will hear the stories and the experiences of two different guides from either side of that conflict.

Your first guide will lead you on a walk up the Falls Road and describe the period of conflict to you from a Republican perspective. After 1.5 hours your first guide will hand you over at the Peace Wall to your second guide who will lead you through the Shankill Road area and describe the conflict from a Loyalist perspective.

Bookings and enquiries

• Call in and book directly at The Tour Shop, 10 Great Victoria St, Belfast.
• Phone +44 (0)28 90 321321 and speak to one of our reservations team.
• Email your request to [email protected]
• Checkin at 2:15pm
• Depart Divis Tower at 2:30pm with 1st guide
• Hand over at Peace Wall at 4:00pm with 2nd guide
• Tour ends at 5:30pm (approx) on the Shankill Road
• Meet at 2:15pm at Divis Tower
• Tour departs at 2:30pm
• Tour finishes on the Shankill Road close to Belfast City Centre

Please come dressed appropriately for not only the season, but also for the activity.

• Warm clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Bottle of water
• Republican tour guide
• Loyalist tour guide
• For cancellation up to 72 hours prior to departure date: 10% administration fee will be imposed.
• For cancellation less than 72 hours prior to departure date or 'no-show': 100% of the total amount will be charged.
• Tickets for events or attractions are non-refundable.
• Airport, limousine and coach transfer services are non-refundable.
• Some of the images and languages shown on this tour may be unsuitable for minors

• Most Popular!

More Than The Troubles Tour

Quick details.

• Hour Glass Duration: 2 hours
• Clock Time: 09:30 , 12:00 , 14:30
• Calendar Schedule: Date variable
• The meeting point is outside the front gates of Belfast City Hall
• The tour covers approximately 1.5 miles and the ground is level
• Look for guide with distinctive Walking Tours Belfast branded clothing
• Tour will finish close to the City Hall

£140 per group of 1 to 20 guests

For all ages, discover belfast’s troubled history.

Discover the Belfast story, from birth through its turbulent history of conflict and terror to peace and prosperity!

Our tour covers more than 400 years of Belfast history – from a small Irish settlement to a giant of the industrial revolution (“The Ultimate Victorian City”) and later to “The Troubles” – a bloody conflict that lasted over thirty years.

Our expert guides link all the stages of the city’s development in a way that helps you grasp it’s complex and challenging history. Discover points of interest along the way and find out how religion, rebellion, politics, and conflict shaped our cityscape.

Great Bars and restaurants will be recommended on the tour.

Book the Belfast Troubles Tour online today!

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• Political Conflict Tours

Belfast Political Conflict Bus Tours

Guided tours with stops for photo opportunities at some of the most poignant and notable locations related to the conflict known as ‘The Troubles’ that lasted from 1968 – 1998

Step back in time and witness the origin of a conflict that was out of place in post-war Europe and learn how it eventually resolved into a model of peace making that became an example to the world.

On the tour you will learn how many sad events led people to commit the most awful atrocities against one another and the most innocent among us.

Come and see how physical and imposing ‘Peace Line’ Walls were built to protect both sides from the worst excesses of each other and served a purpose – but in peacetime have to a degree, become barriers to integration of two communities.

See for yourself the past and present stand next to each other in stark relief.

The still scarred locations and the memorials dotted around a growing, vibrant Belfast that looks to the future but remembers the past.

Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it  – George Santayana

Monday – Friday  10AM – 1PM

Saturday – Sunday  10AM – 3PM

Political Conflict Tour

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Causeway Coast, Got & Political Tour

My feet are meant to roam

A love letter to culture and slow travel

How to choose the best Troubles tour of Belfast

Belfast and The Troubles: they go hand in hand. Even more than 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement , the city’s past is still very much present behind the scenes and a lot of visitors are keen to understand what this dark period in history was about. But how do you go about learning about the Troubles in an ethical and unbiased way and what’s the best way to go on a Troubles tour of Belfast?

First things first: what exactly are the Troubles?

Entire books have been written about this, but to put it shortly, the Troubles are the somewhat euphemistic name for a conflict that reigned from the late 1960’s till the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, all through Northern Ireland. The conflict was primarily political, with a rather big religious dimension to it.

In 1921, the island of Ireland was split into two: the independent Republic of Ireland (now simply known as “Ireland”) and Northern Ireland, that was kept part of the United Kingdom. The population in Northern Ireland was very divided: the loyalist/unionists, who were mainly protestant, were in favour of keeping the union with the United Kingdom, whereas the nationalists/republicans, who were mainly catholic, preferred to be reunited with the Republic of Ireland. The nationalist minority felt discriminated by the unionist government and police force and started campaigns to end this discrimination. The authorities, who were mainly loyalist, attempted to suppress these protests and that’s when the Troubles started.

After 30 years of unrest, rioting and bomb explosions, the death toll was over 3500 people…

How to choose a Troubles tour of Belfast?

To be honest it can be tricky to get an unbiased or objective viewpoint in Northern Ireland. Most people in Belfast have families or friends that were is some way affected by the Troubles. They will therefore have a strong opinion and believe that the conflict was all “the other side’s” fault. I have lived in Northern Ireland for over six years and not being born here, gave me a chance to see it from a “foreigner’s” point of view. If you are after an unbiased and objective opinion of what happened during the Troubles, I would suggest you to do one or several of the following Belfast Troubles tours:

1. Start off at the Ulster Museum

If you are interested in Northern Ireland’s complex history, then let this museum be your first stop! From the first inhabitants of the country all the way through to the recent history: the different floors will give you a detailed explanation of how this fascinating part of the UK became what it is today! There is a special section about the Troubles so this is the best place to start learning about the troubled past of Northern Ireland. A nice detail: the museum is free! Address: Botanic Gardens

2. Linen Hall Library

Housed inside a listed Victorian building, the Linen Hall Library is the only private library in Northern Ireland. It used to be a linen warehouse, back in the days when linen was Belfast’s main industry. There is a massive collection of posters on display dating back to the Troubles, as well as a digitised collection called “ Divided Society ” concentrating on periodicals and posters after the 1990’s. The resources cover the peace talks, ceasefires and negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement. Address: 17, Donegall Square North

3. DC Tours

If you are interested in the impact the Troubles had on everyday life in Belfast, then this tour is what you need. “DC” Tours stands for “Dead Centre Tours”, so called because during the times of the Troubles the city centre was pretty much like a ghost town after dark. During this 2 hour walking tour, you will visit various places that have been hit hard during the Troubles. Bars, restaurants, clubs, … places where crowds gather were never 100% safe during these dark days. At the start of the tour you get a small recap on the how and when of the Troubles and the tour ends with a ray of hope: the peace process that was the start for a brighter future for Belfast. Meeting point: at the front gates of Belfast City Hall More info: https://deadcentretours.com/

4. Conflicting Stories

Another walking tour, but one that focuses on West Belfast this time. During this 3 hour Belfast walking tour, you will walk along both sides of the Peace Wall, with ex-political prisoners from both communities. A republican ex-political prisoner will take you on a guided walk along the Falls Road and share his/her personal story, whilst a loyalist ex-political prisoner will accompany you along Shankill Road. They will both share their personal stories and give you their opinion/beliefs on the conflict. You finish of at the Peace Wall, that still divides both communities nowadays. Meeting point: Divis Tower Further information: https://www.belfastfreewalkingtour.com/belfast-political-tour

5. Crumlin Road Gaol Troubles Tour

This tour is pretty similar to the previous one, but you also get to visit Crumlin Road Gaol and in the end you’re rewarded by a nice pint of Guinness and a delicious stew! The total duration of the tour is 4.5 hours. You start off with a visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol, a former prison where a lot of the political prisoners were held during the Troubles. The guide will explain you about daily life in the prison and the executions that were carried out there. After this visit, you will start your walking tour in the Shankill area of town, accompanied by an ex-loyalist prisoner. After making your way to the Peace Wall, you will be handed over to an ex-republican prisoner who will show you around Falls Road. By then, you should definitely be ready for a break! Back at the Crumlin Road Gaol you can refuel with a pint of Guinness and a nice bowl of stew. Meeting point: Crumlin Road Gaol Further information: https://www.crumlinroadgaol.com/gaol-tours/

6. Black Taxi Tour

If you don’t want to walk, then the best way to learn about the various political murals that surround West Belfast is by doing a Black Taxi Tour of Belfast. You visit roughly the same areas as the “Conflicting Stories” tour, but by taxi. During the Troubles the “Black Taxis” were used to get from West Belfast to the city centre and back. During those days buses were often burnt out, so people had to rely on a different kind of transport service. The Black Taxis look like London-style black taxis. Nowadays they come in various colours and are often used to provide political tours, though some of them still have the same function as back in the old days. The driver is your guide and takes you to both, republican and loyalist, communities. He stops at the most important political murals, explains you what they represent and also takes you to the Peace Wall, where you can get out to scribble something on the wall, as many famous and less famous visitors have done before you.

The most difficult thing here is to find an unbiased tour. Since historically, the Black Taxis either serviced the loyalist or republican community, most of the drivers are still partial to one particular viewpoint and it’ll almost always shine through which one that is during the tour. That is the nature of Northern Ireland I’m afraid. There are many companies offering Black Taxi Tours. My advice would be to book one at the tourist information centre.

The Troubles played an important part in the history of Belfast and Northern Ireland, but the city is not all grim and doom! How about discovering the all famous “craic” in one of Belfast’s traditional pubs or visit one of the many free things to do in Belfast?

Have you been on a Troubles Tour of Belfast? Which one?

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Yellow Umbrella  Tours

Belfast political tours.

Discover the hidden city

Conflicting Stories Walking Tour

The opportunity to experience a tour of a lifetime. .

This is a very popular tour and sells out almost everyday.

We would advise to book early.

If your desired time is not available, our Falls Road Political Mural Tour may be an alternative. Locals Guides share their own personal experience 

Understanding Belfast's troubled history,   a political tour by Republican and Loyalist ex-political prisoners. 

This is a unique opportunity to discover the real story you won't get from history books.  we invite you to hear first-hand accounts from both sides of this conflicted region, shared by people who were intimately involved in this turbulent period of modern history on this 3-hour tour. explore up close, on foot, the world-famous murals that depict the social, political, and cultural history of the city that earns its reputation as the largest, outdoor art gallery in the world and understand the stories behind them. unknown to most, modern-day belfast remains a divided city. 26 kilometers of a physical wall, up to ten meters high in some locations separates two religious communities living side by side. for more than thirty years, the controversial time is known as "the troubles" has had a powerful impact on the city and its residents. very few people, if any, were unaffected by the violence that plagued the area and everyone has a story to tell..

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Republican ex-political prisoner who will take you on a guided walk along the Falls Road where the history of world-famous murals will be explained.  The guides share their personal story and how the conflict affected their families and the community. Photograph the local murals and witness visible signs of his community's desire to be part of an Irish Republic.

We pass through the electronically-controlled gates leading to the predominately protestant area of The Shankill Road. We meet with either a Loyalist ex-political prisoner or an ex-member of the security forces that served during the troubles and grew up in the local area. They will accompany you through the streets of the Shankill while sharing their personal story.  You will witness the determination of the locals who wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. You will have the opportunity to sign the Peace Wall, leaving your thoughts alongside those of Bill Clinton and The Dalai Lama and with the thousands of visitors to the area.

* The recent period known as 'The Troubles' is a very contentious time and is still raw in many peoples minds and hearts, the purpose of this tour is to give the guest insight to why young men and women would voluntary involve themselves in a conflict knowing that it would ultimately lead to their imprisonment at best or potential death.

Any statements and opinions expressed on this tour by the guides are strictly their own and Belfast Free Walking Tour does not endorse any political view, the use of violence, and the promotion of any political agenda. The guides are contracted to share their own personal story of the troubles. 

Watch CBS News

"Fighting for Reproductive Freedom" bus tour kicks off nationwide tour in South Florida

By Ted Scouten

Updated on: September 3, 2024 / 6:25 PM EDT / CBS Miami

MIAMI - The Kamala Harris campaign is bringing the "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom" nationwide bus tour to Donald Trump 's doorstep, driving by Mar-a-Lago . 

"What better place to kick off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour than in Donald Trump's backyard," Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman asked the cheering crowd. 

The tour kicked off this morning in Boynton Beach and while Vice President Harris was not there, her surrogates were.

"They will push for a national abortion ban," said Democratic US Senate Candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

Harris supporters want to make sure voters know Trump initially appeared to oppose Florida's 6-week abortion ban. 

"So, I think six weeks, you need more time than six weeks," Trump said on Fox News.

Later Trump said he'd vote against Florida's Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. 

"At the same time the Democrats are radicals because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation," Trump went on to say, "I will be voting no for that reason."

Wasserman Schultz reminded supporters, "On Friday, he committed to voting no on Amendment 4 doubling down on what we already knew, you can't trust a damn thing coming out of that liar's mouth," she said.

About a dozen Trump supporters rallied outside the event, some yelling, "Baby killers! Shame on you."

"We don't agree with her policies. We want Trump back in the White House," said Trump supporter Justin Nevarez.

Harris supporters arguing Trump policies are dangerous for women. 

"We're afraid of what would happen if the other party gets power again. They didn't prove they've done anything good for us," said Harris supporter Faith Kohn. 

From here the bus tour goes up to Jacksonville, then it will tour about 50 cities in the US, leading up to Election Day. 

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Multiple Emmy award winning journalist Ted Scouten has been the familiar face at the scene of international stories that have affected South Florida since 1998.

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Ticketmaster's Troubles Grow as UK Regulators Investigate Oasis Sales

Gabby Jones / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Ticketmaster is facing an investigation by U.K. regulators into the platform's recent sales of tickets to the reunion tour of the band Oasis.
• The investigation will determine whether the platform's "dynamic pricing" system may have deceived customers or made them feel pressured to quickly buy tickets.
• The regulator said it wants to hear from fans who have complaints about the process as it also seeks information from Ticketmaster and its owner, Live Nation.

Regulators in the U.K. are investigating Live Nation Entertainment's ( LYV ) Ticketmaster unit over reported customer issues with tickets purchased for the recently announced reunion tour of the 90s band, Oasis, specifically whether the company's "dynamic pricing" feature may have violated consumer protection laws.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that it wants to hear from fans who feel they may have been misled during the purchasing process about what price they would end up paying or pressured to buy tickets out of fear that the price could go up soon after, both of which could be deemed violations of consumer protection laws .

CMA Says Ticketmaster Investigation Just Beginning, Calls for More Protections

The agency said the opening of its investigation doesn't necessarily mean Ticketmaster broke any laws, and said it wants to hear from those affected over the next two weeks as it also gathers information from Ticketmaster and other parties.

"It’s important that fans are treated fairly when they buy tickets, which is why we’ve launched this investigation. It’s clear that many people felt they had a bad experience and were surprised by the price of their tickets at check-out," said CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell. "We want to hear from fans who went through the process and may have encountered issues so that we can investigate whether existing consumer protection law has been breached."

The UK regulator also said it has previously called for more extensive protections for ticket buyers, and that it is considering broader action against the practice of dynamic pricing —in which prices can change rapidly based on demand—in industries aside from ticketing.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster are already facing legal action in the U.S. , as the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in May accusing the company of monopolistic behavior and violating antitrust laws. The suit claimed Live Nation often threatens or retaliates against venues that choose a ticket seller other than Ticketmaster, and said its fees are excessive for consumers.

Live Nation shares were nearly 1.2% lower at $93.10 Friday afternoon.

Competition and Markets Authority. " CMA Launches Investigation Into Ticketmaster Over Oasis Concert Sales ."

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Tula city, Russia

The capital city of Tula oblast .

Tula - Overview

Tula is a city in Russia located about 180 km south of Moscow, the administrative center of Tula Oblast. It is one of the most economically developed cities in Russia, a large industrial, scientific and cultural center, and an important railway junction.

The population of Tula is about 461,200 (2022), the area - 146 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 4872, the postal codes - 300000-300911.

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Tula city coat of arms.

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Tula city latest news and posts from our blog:.

30 August, 2021 / Tula - the view from above .

1 June, 2020 / Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Yepifan .

19 May, 2020 / Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on the Kulikovo Field .

15 June, 2018 / Awesome Posters for the World Cup in Russia .

31 January, 2018 / Museum of Weapons in Tula .

More posts..

History of Tula

Foundation of tula.

Tula is one of the oldest cities in Russia. In the distant past, the Slavic tribe of Vyatichi lived on the territory of the Tula region. At the end of the 10th century, the Vyatichi became tributaries of the Kiev princes. In 1054, their lands became part of the Chernigov Principality. Tula was first mentioned in the Nikon Chronicle of the 12th century under 1146.

During the first centuries of its existence, Tula was no different from other settlements of this region. It was a small, palisaded village located on an islet at the confluence of the Upa and Tulitsa rivers. The name “Tula”, apparently, is closely related to the Tulitsa River and is most likely interpreted as “a hidden, inaccessible place”.

In the 13th century, the northeastern part of the Chernigov Principality, which included Tula, was captured by the Ryazan princes. During the Mongol invasion, the Tula region was in the way of the Mongols’ advance towards Moscow. In 1380, in the southeastern part of today’s Tula region, between the Don and Nepryadva rivers, the famous Battle of Kulikovo took place (the key point in Russian history at which Mongol influence began to decrease).

More Historical Facts…

Tula in the 16th-17th centuries

From the 16th century, Tula began to be of great strategic importance, as it was located on the southern outskirts of the Russian state, on its steppe border and near several roads along which the Crimean Tatars moved. In 1514-1521, a stone fortress (kremlin) was built on the left bank of the Upa River, which became the core of the developing town. In 1552, Tula withstood the siege of the troops of the Crimean Khan Devlet I Girey, who tried to stop the campaign of the troops of Tsar Ivan the Terrible against Kazan. During the 16th century, Tula suffered greatly from the constant raids of the Crimean Tatars.

At the beginning of the 17th century, Tula found itself in the thick of events known in the history of Russia as the Time of Troubles. In 1605, False Dmitry I, who captured Tula, waited for the fall of Moscow here. In 1607, Tula was engulfed in a peasant uprising led by Ivan Bolotnikov, which the government troops managed to suppress only after a four-month siege of the town.

By the middle of the 17th century, with the annexation of the left-bank Ukraine, Tula lost its position as a defensive center, since the border of Russia moved far to the south. But its location at the intersection of important roads contributed to the fact that Tula became a trade town. The development of the town’s traditional blacksmith craft was supported by the Moscow sovereigns, who needed their own iron and gun industries.

The first arms factory in Tula was built by Andrew Vinius, permission for the construction of which he received from Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich in 1632. Later, his companions, Peter Marselius and Filimon Akema, built new factories near Tula that produced not only military, but also household metal products. From the end of the 17th century, the iron-making production of Tula passed into the hands of the famous Russian industrialist Nikita Demidov.

Tula in the 18th-19th centuries

The 18th century became a new era in the development of Tula. By order of Peter I, the first state-owned arms factory was built in Tula - the basis for the entire arms industry in Russia. Tula became known as a large industrial center of iron production. The town became famous for the art of its masters, who manufactured not only weapons, but also precise measuring and physical instruments, various mechanisms, and artistic metal products.

In 1778, the coat of arms of Tula was approved with the following description: “In a scarlet field, horizontally laid on two silver sword blades, lying like the St. Andrew’s cross, with the ends down, a silver rifle barrel; above and below, one gold hammer. All this shows a worthy and useful weapons factory located in this town.” In 1797, Tula became the center of the Tula Governorate.

At the beginning of the 19th century, during the French invasion of Russia, the importance of Tula as a manufacturing and weapons center increased even more. The town was the main center that provided the supply of weapons to the Russian army. In the years 1812-1814, the factory and private workshops were able to produce a total of almost 600 thousand guns.

After the end of the war, there was a recession in the arms industry, which led to the emergence of new types of production. Samovars and accordions created by local craftsmen quickly gained worldwide fame and, along with the manufacture of weapons, determined the specialization of the Tula industry for a long time. In 1863, the population of Tula was about 56,700 people.

Tula in the 20th century

At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, large enterprises of the metallurgical, metalworking, military, and sugar industries appeared in Tula, which, together with the arms factory reconstructed in 1870-1873, were on a par with the largest industrial enterprises of the Russian Empire. According to the 1912-1913 census, the number of samovar factories in Tula was 50, with an annual production of 660,000 samovars. The population of the city increased to 138,900 people.

During the Russian Civil War, Tula was the center of the armament of the Red Army. In 1929, Tula became part of Moscow Oblast. In 1937, the city was turned into the administrative center of the newly formed Tula Oblast.

In 1939, the population of Tula was about 272,000 people. In October-December 1941, during the Second World War, Tula was almost in a complete siege, was subjected to artillery and mortar shelling, and German air raids. In the crucial days of the defense of Moscow, Tula blocked the southern approaches to it. In 1976, in this regard, Tula was awarded the honorary title of “Hero City”.

In the post-war years in Tula and the region, the machine-building, chemical and coal industries received further development, new research institutes and design bureaus appeared, continuing the traditions of Tula gunsmiths.

In 1991, the population of Tula peaked at 544 thousand residents. After that, it began to decline continuously.

Streets of Tula

City traffic in Tula

Author: Sergey Bulanov

Colorful flower beds in Tula

Author: Roman Dawydkin

Tram in Tula

Author: Sitnikov

Tula - Features

One of the features of Tula is its proximity to Moscow (2-3 hours by car or train). The City Day of Tula is traditionally celebrated on the second Saturday of September.

The climate of Tula is moderately continental with distinct seasons. It is characterized by warm, long summers and moderately cold winters with frequent thaws. The average temperature in July is plus 19.1 degrees Celsius, in February - minus 7.5 degrees Celsius.

The territory of the city is crossed or passed in close proximity by important highways of federal significance (Moscow - Crimea, Kaluga - Tula - Ryazan) and railways (Moscow - Donbass, Tula - Kozelsk). Public transport in Tula is represented by buses, minibuses, trolleybuses, and trams.

Tula is a large industrial and commercial centers in Russia. The leading industries are ferrous metallurgy, machine building, and metalworking. There are several large plants located near Tula - OJSC “Tulachermet” (the largest exporter of pig iron in Russia), OJSC “Kosogorsk Metallurgical Plant” (a fairly large producer of blast furnace iron, artistic and industrial casting), OJSC “Polema” (one of the largest in Russia enterprises specializing in powder metallurgy), as well as OJSC “Vanadium-Tula”. The operation of these plants negatively affects the ecology of the city, having a direct impact on the cleanliness of the air.

Tula is known for three activities of local residents rooted deep in the history of the city: the production of weapons, samovars, and gingerbread. Each of them is represented in the city by the Museum of Weapons, the Museum of Samovars, and the Museum of Tula Gingerbread.

In the Russian language there is such a phraseological unit as “Don’t go to Tula with your samovar” which means doing something useless. In English there is a close proverb - “Don’t carry coals to Newcastle”.

In total, on the territory of Tula there are more than 300 objects of cultural heritage: monuments of architecture and urban planning, history. The Tula Kremlin, the oldest building in the city, is an architectural monument of the 16th century. Yasnaya Polyana, the house-museum of Leo Tolstoy, is located about 14 km south-west of Tula. To visit all the sights of Tula, you will need at least 2-3 days.

The center of Tula is Lenin Square located near the Tula Kremlin. The main street of the city is Lenin Avenue - the busiest street in the city with a lot of educational institutions, a drama theater, a philharmonic society, monuments to various cultural figures, monuments dedicated to the Second World War, various shops, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets. Celebrations, parades and processions are held here.

Main Attractions of Tula

The Tula Kremlin - a brick fortress with 9 towers located in the center of Tula, a unique complex of architectural and historical monuments of the 16th-19th centuries, the oldest building in the city. On the territory of the fortress you can see the Assumption Cathedral, built in the Russian Baroque style in 1766, the Epiphany Cathedral (1862), erected in memory of the soldiers who fell in the Patriotic War of 1812 (the French invasion of Russia) and used as a branch of the Tula Museum of Weapons, as well as the 19th century shopping arcade.

In addition to a tour of the Tula Kremlin, we recommend visiting the exposition of the Spasskaya Tower. In the basement of the tower there is an exhibition “The torture chamber of the 17th century” and on the two upper floors you can see the exhibition “The weapons of a medieval warrior”. There are several souvenir shops with handicrafts on the territory of the Tula Kremlin. The beautiful Kazanskaya Embankment runs right by the walls of the fortress - a great place to walk along the small Upa River.

Holy Dormition Cathedral (1898-1902) - a very picturesque building constructed in the Russian style with red brick walls, black domes, and golden crosses. The interior decoration impresses with its magnificent paintings and frescoes. It is located at the exit from the Tula Kremlin to Mendeleevskaya Street near Lenin Square.

Museum “Tula Samovars” - one of the symbols of Tula located in an old building named after Emperor Alexander II in front of the entrance to the Tula Kremlin. Here you can see a large collection of all kinds of unique samovars of the 18th-20th centuries, learn about the main stages in the history and production of samovars. Mendeleyevskaya Street, 8.

Tula Museum of Weapons - the oldest museum of weapons in Russia, founded in 1873. In 2012, a new building of this museum was opened, designed in the form of an old Russian helmet. In 2015, a new permanent exhibition “The history of small arms and cold weapons from the 14th century to the present” was opened here. An exhibition of Russian military equipment of the second half of the 20th century is located on the territory of the museum. Oktyabrskaya Street, 2.

Museum “Tula Gingerbread” - a small museum dedicated to the history, diversity, and tradition of the production of Tula gingerbread. In two halls of the museum, a huge assortment of gingerbread is presented: personalized, congratulatory with inscriptions, honorary, custom-made, timed to special dates and holidays, including a one-of-a-kind gingerbread weighing 50 kilograms. There is a shop with various edible gingerbread souvenirs at the museum. Oktyabrskaya, 45a.

Tula Museum of Fine Arts - one of the largest regional museums in Russia, which has more than 23 thousand works of painting, sculpture, graphics, arts and crafts, and folk art. There are three collections in total: the department of Russian art, the department of Western European art, and the department of contemporary art. Here you can see the works of such famous Russian painters as Surikov, Repin, Polenov, Aivazovsky, Shishkin, Levitan. Engelsa Street, 64.

Museum “The Demidovs’ Necropolis” - a memorial historical museum dedicated to the activities of the Demidovs, a dynasty of industrialists and entrepreneurs known throughout Russia. The exposition was opened for the 340th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the dynasty - Nikita Demidov. The central place in the museum is occupied by the family tomb of the Demidov family, which is located on the territory of the Nikolo-Zaretskaya church. Demidovskaya Street, 9.

Central Park of Culture and Rest named after P.P. Belousov . In the past, there was a huge city dump on the site of this park, but at the insistence of the chief sanitary doctor P.P. Belousov the territory was cleared and planted with various trees, shrubs, flowers. Today, it is the largest park area in Tula (143 hectares), which has the status of a natural monument of national heritage. The main part of the park is a forest and a recreational area. One of its most picturesque places is a cascade of three ponds.

**Motorcycle Museum “Moto-Auto-Art”. The basis of its exposition is a unique, the world’s most complete collection of motorcycles produced by the Tula Machine-Building Plant. However, there are also other motorcycles here, a lot of which are truly rare examples. The museum is located near Tula, in the village of Kharino (Koltsevaya Street, 12).

Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate “Yasnaya Polyana” . The great Russian writer Leo (Lev) Nikolaevich Tolstoy was born in this estate, about 14 km southwest of Tula. Here he lived the main part of his life. In addition to the old house, the museum complex also includes other buildings: a stable, a smithy, a bathhouse, a gazebo, and a birch bridge. The grave of Leo Tolstoy is also located here. Almost nothing has changed since the time when the writer lived and worked in this beautiful estate.

Museum-Reserve “Kulikovo Field” - a memorial museum-reserve located on the supposed site of the historical Battle of Kulikovo (1380), about 125 km southeast of Tula near the village of Mokhovoye. This museum is included in the list of especially valuable objects of cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation. The following sights and museums are located here: the monument-column to Dmitry Donskoy (1850), the church-monument of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1917), the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1884), the Museum of the Kulikovo Battle, the museum-memorial complex to the heroes of the Kulikovo Battle in the village of Monastyrschino, Memorial on Red Hill.

The most interesting and unusual Tula street monuments are “Taming the Flea” (Lenin Avenue, 85b), “Tula Gingerbread” (Lenin Square), and “Mother-in-law” (also known as “Mother-in-lawsaurus” or “Dinosaur”) (Oktyabrskaya Street, 26).

Tula city of Russia photos

Pictures of tula.

Tula Railway Station

Author: Max Karlov

Circus in Tula

Author: Yuriy Popov

Lenin Monument near the Tula Kremlin

Author: Kudinov D.M.

The Tula Kremlin

One of the towers of the Tula Kremlin

Assumption Cathedral of the Tula Kremlin

The questions of our visitors

I have found no useful info about the bank mentioned in your request. But while reading about the State Archives of Tula oblast I have found that the archives has documents of the banks (including Tula Land Bank) of the Soviet period.

I think you should try to get in contact with the State Archive of Tula oblast . At first try to contact the archives by the emails provided, attach the pictures of the documents you have to the emails too. If nobody answers, you can send a written request because in some cases much more attention is paid to them.

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