Anyone without much hesitation will tell what the history of Tula is connected with, the administrative center of the region and one of the most beautiful cities in central Russia. It is this settlement that can be proud of its world famous brands - "Tula Gingerbread", "Tula Samovar", as well as achievements in the field of weapons.
Back to the roots
If we consider the history of Tula briefly, then you need to start not with the Vyatichi tribe, who lived here in unforgettable times, but much later. The first mention of the city can be found in the famous Nikon Chronicle, written in the 16th century. The date of foundation is also named - 1146.
Although scientists are inclined to a different, more realistic date - 1382, this conclusion is made on the basis of a contractual letter found. True, historically Tula has been associated with Ryazan for centuries, as if it was in the shadow of this ancient Russian city.
Times of the middle ages
The main significance of Tula was associated with its strategic position, that is, it should be an obstacle in the way of the Crimean Tatars, as well as the Lithuanians. Therefore, the main tasks were associated with the strengthening of the city walls.
In 1503, Tula was finally annexed to the Moscow principality, before that, historians say, it belonged to the wife of one of the Tatar khans. After the settlement became Russian, the Kremlin was built, which proved to be excellent during the siege of the Crimean Khan Devlet I Girey.
The "Time of Troubles" did not pass by Tula, it was here that False Dmitry I was waiting for the fall of Moscow, it was the inhabitants of Tula who opposed Vasily Shuisky, joined the rebellious peasants, led by the famous Ivan Bolotnikov.
Weaponry
The 17th century made its own adjustments, Tula changed its functions, the fortress city was transformed into an industrial and commercial center. The need for their own rifle industry, realized by the Russian sovereigns, led to a weakening of the tax burden for Tula industrialists, and the beginning of a new era in the development of the city.
Industrial enterprises were opened, both in the settlement itself and in its environs, they produced not only weapons, but also household items, peaceful economy.
Tula made an invaluable contribution to the victory of the Russian and later Soviet troops during all military events, large and small wars that the state had to wage in the 19th-20th centuries. And the weapons produced in this city, together with the owners, passed through Paris in 1814, reached Berlin in 1945.
