REVITALIZATION OF THE HISTORIC CENTER OF TULA

For several centuries, the Kazanskaya Embankment by the walls of the Tula Kremlin was a restricted factory area. In the past twenty years it became redundant even for the factory itself. Metallistov Street, adjacent to the Kremlin, also found itself on the outskirts of city life. Remarkably, a functional vacuum was formed right in the very center of the city.

Metallistov Street has been transformed into a pedestrian zone without disrupting traffic flow, while the historic mansions and residential buildings along it have gradually come back to life. Museums, restaurants, and shops are opening here, and courtyards are being renovated and adapted for new uses. Krestovozdvizhenskaya Square, also converted into a pedestrian area, now features a musical fountain.

The opening of the museum block was a major cultural event for Metallistov Street. Historic mansions now house branches of the largest museums in the Tula region: the Kulikovo Field Museum-Reserve, the Tula State Museum of Weapons, the Historical and Local Lore Museum, the Leo Tolstoy Estate Museum “Yasnaya Polyana,” and the Museum and Headquarters of the Central Cossack Army.

The new life of the embankment began with the cleaning and refilling of the old Upa River channel and clearing the area. About 70 tons of debris were lifted and removed from the riverbed, and now clean water flows through the channel, with its level controlled by hydraulic structures. Bank reinforcement work was carried out, bridges were reconstructed, and the terrain was replanned. All unsafe buildings were demolished, spontaneous vegetation was removed, and engineering networks were replaced throughout the area.

Just weeks before its official opening, the park by the Kremlin became a new hub attracting residents of all ages. The Upa River embankment transformed into a vibrant recreational area featuring playgrounds, cafés, an amphitheater, and access ramps to the water. The park includes active zones with sports and play areas, a sight for table tennis, a multifunctional court for team sports such as basketball, football, and hockey, and a bike path. During the warmer months, the embankment hosts an open-air cinema, bike and boat rentals, and concert venues. In winter, there are slides and an ice rink on the riverbed. Festivals and fairs take place here throughout the year.

A striking feature of the embankment is the series of red footbridges totaling 270 meters length, offering new views of the Kremlin and the river that was previously hidden behind a fence.

The playground is divided into age-specific zones, suitable for both toddlers and teenagers. It features a rope park, climbing wall, swings, and a bridge-ramp. The natural terrain and landscape shaping allowed the creation of a multi-level and engaging play area. Bright red elements continue the color theme of the bridges and lanterns which are the iconic features of the new embankment.