Mordves: Railway History and Culture in Tula Oblast

• There is a mass grave in Mordves.
• A historical and cultural center opened at Mordves railway station to mark the 180th anniversary of Russian railways. The opening was reported in 2017.
• The exhibition covers railway builders from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

The exhibition at the historical and cultural center in Mordves is dedicated to the people who built railways. It covers the period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. This adds the history of railway workers to the technical aspects also associated with the town.

A description from 2017 mentions equipment used in railway construction on the station forecourt in Mordves. Also described in 2017 was a recreation of a Soviet railway workers’ living area from the mid-20th century, built inside a railway carriage. The two themes offer different perspectives: railway construction technology on the one hand, and a reconstructed living space on the other. Before visiting the center, check current access arrangements and what is on display.

There is also a mass grave in Mordves. It is a distinct historical feature of the town alongside its railway themes. If you plan to visit, you can check access arrangements in advance.

In Tula, the exhibition “Skazanie o Mamaevom poboishche” at the “Tulskiye drevnosti” Museum explores the Battle of Kulikovo. In interactive areas, visitors can weave a piece of chain mail, try on armor, and learn to read chronicle miniatures. Another exhibition at the same museum, “Sekrety tulskikh masterov,” features a pottery workshop, a blacksmith’s workshop, and household items from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Together, the exhibitions offer different ways to explore the region’s culture through the history of a battle, craftsmanship, and everyday objects.

From May to October, Yasnaya Polyana Museum-Reserve lists a guided walk through the central part of the estate. The walk covers Tolstoy’s favorite places for daily strolls, local flora and fauna, and the history of Tula’s defensive lines and Tolstoy’s plantings. It combines nature observation with literary and regional history. Leo Tolstoy’s personal library is another cultural highlight: it was included in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” Register.

Other historical themes in Tula Oblast can be found in various places. The museum and monument to the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo are in the village of Monastyrshchino in Kimovsk District. At the Polenovo estate, the artist Vasily Polenov designed all the buildings himself. These examples differ considerably from Mordves’ railway themes and offer a sense of the variety of subjects found across Tula Oblast.

Discover more destinations: Balevo, Bogoroditsk, Goryachkino, Shchyokino, Kireyevsk, Samarovo, Yasnaya Polyana, Lukino.

What is the exhibition in Mordves about?

It covers railway builders from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. The opening of the historical and cultural center at Mordves railway station was reported in 2017.

What historical features are there in Mordves?

Mordves has a mass grave and a historical and cultural center with railway-related exhibits.

What can visitors try in the interactive areas in Tula?

At the “Skazanie o Mamaevom poboishche” exhibition, visitors can weave a piece of chain mail, try on armor, and learn to read chronicle miniatures.

When does the guided walk in Yasnaya Polyana take place?

The walk through the central part of the estate is listed for May to October.

See the main travel overview: Tula Oblast.