Gingerbread, guns and samovars have been the hallmark of Tula since the times of Russia. These entertaining and tasty gizmos are still given a considerable place in the culture of Tulchan. The museums of weapons and gingerbread are very popular and respected by the guests of the city. And the museum of samovars is a separate story, because a samovar is not just an object, but a whole history and tradition of tea drinking in Russia. Museum "Tula Samovars" is one of the keepers of this art. Therefore, coming to Tula and not visiting it is like not getting drunk at an oasis in the desert.
Where to find
The Tula Museum of Samovars fixed its address in the historical center of the city - on Mendeleevskaya Street at number 8, not far from the Kremlin and the central square. There are similar museums in many cities of Russia, but it is the local institution, which, by the way, does not shine on a grand scale, will take its visitors on a fascinating journey to the origins of the samovar.
It opened in Tula in 1990. The exposition of the museum is regularly replenished and updated. Museum "Tula samovars"museums of weapons and gingerbread is one of the "three pillars" of the city's culture.
Origins of the Museum
Great assistance in the creation of the institution was provided by the local history museum of the city of Tula and the plant for the production of samovars "Stamp", the only one still operating to this day. The entire collection of samovars is located in several halls on two floors of the building. You should not expect a luxurious interior, you should go here for history and unique facts from the life of Russian people. The collection contains about 300 exhibits. The Museum "Tula Samovars" in Tula keeps samples of samovars from the 18th century, many of them are real works of art.
From the history of self-brewing
When visiting the museum, it is better to use the services of a guide who will not only tell you about the most famous Tula families that produced samovars, but also about the factories for the production of these devices, and about the very history of this household miracle device.
The first samovars in the world did not appear in Russia, but presumably in Ancient Rome. There, a hot stone was thrown into a vessel of water, from which the water boiled. In Asia, a device was invented for heating water and brewing tea with a blower. Everyone knows that the tea traditions of Asians are rooted in antiquity, it is no wonder that they actively developed their inventions. Europe also had its own "samovars", the designs of which were worked on in Holland and France. A frequent visitor to Holland was the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. It is believed that he brought the idea and prototype of the Russian samovar from there. big developmentmetallurgical industry in the Urals and served as an impetus for the fact that it was here that the first samovars began to be produced.
Beginning of Tula self-brewing
The first Tula dynasty, which began to produce samovars at the end of the 18th century, was the Lisitsyn family. Two crafty brothers made samovars not only for ordinary people, but also made exclusive versions for noble persons and the royal family. They picked up the baton for the production of water heaters of the Batashev, Shemarin, Fomin families. Products of each of these dynasties are stored in the Tula Samovars Museum. Tula carefully treats its history. It is also interesting that price lists for samovars from the 19th century and some interesting documents from factories, such as requirements for employees when applying for a job, have been preserved.
In every Russian house of the XVIII-XIX centuries there was a samovar. But not only Russians paid tribute to this piece of household appliances. Samovars were also purchased and ordered by foreigners. The quality of Tula products was duly appreciated in Europe and America, as evidenced by the medals and diplomas that were won by Russian samovars at international exhibitions. The award-winning samovar factories made medal imprints on their products, which was a criterion for the highest quality of products, and in some way protected against fakes.
Even the Soviet years did not break the Tula samovarmakers, who quickly reoriented themselves to a new policy, and began to decorate their products with the hammer and sickle logos, and even a red star.
After three hundred years, the samovar has become a symbol of Russian folk life. And tea, which under the tsars was available only to noble people, became available to ordinary people. A whole era has passed. But the city of Tula, the museum of samovars have preserved the memory of that time and are proud of their craftsmen. By right, the most popular local souvenirs are decorative items, which are a symbol of Russian hospitality and home comfort.
Not a single samovar
The Museum "Tula Samovars" is the custodian and collector of all the facts of the development of the tea ceremony, popular varieties of tea, its harvesting in Russia and favorite "noble" drinks. The interiors of the tea rooms of the XIV century, as well as exquisite tea pairs and sets are presented in the halls of the museum.
The museum contains items and equipment for making samovars, used from the beginning of its appearance, valuable samples that are the pride of the museum - the largest and smallest samovars. The Museum "Tula Samovars" will introduce its visitors to the ancestor of the modern multicooker - a camping specimen, as well as a samovar for making porridge and soups, which combined several compartments for the simultaneous preparation of tea and food. The collection also includes the ancestor of the samovar - the sbitennik. Of course, the creators of the museum did not forget that the samovar is the direct ancestor of modern electric kettles, and the museum collection contains curious samples of the first electric kettles, and also tells about the transformation of the samovar into a modern kettle.
Souvenir samples of products should be considered separately: birch bark, clay, transparent glass and painted porcelain, wooden and sugar!
Not limited to one direction Museum "Tula samovars". Museums in Tula are known for their versatility. In the described institution, in addition to the permanent exhibition, there are exhibitions that touch on the very history of the tea ceremony in Tsarist Russia and the Soviet years. All about tea etiquette and table setting, popular samovars, treats and the best types of tea can be found in the museum. A lecture by a skilled guide will be a real history lesson.
And a samovar
The samovar is sung in the works of Russian classics. Just like felt boots and balalaika, it has become a symbol of the Russian soul for foreigners. Many masters of arts and crafts took part in decorating this king of the Russian tea ceremony.
Whatever forms the samovar took: a fig, a vase, a jar, a glass, an egg, the most common were cubic and cylindrical. For the poor - wood, for the rich - electric, copper, cupronickel, brass. Camping samovars with removable legs and heavy giants for a whole company of soldiers - history knows a lot of options.
Through the centuries
Years go by, but Tula is not going to stop there, no wonder the proverb says: "Give a Tula a piece of iron - he will work a miracle." Now the only operating plant for the production of samovars "Stamp" produces about 1.5 millionsouvenir machines per year. Full-fledged electric samovars are also leaving the walls of the enterprise.
The birthplace of the Russian samovar is Tula, the museum of samovars is the face of the city.
