Tula, city, capital of Tula Oblast, western Russia, on the Upa River. Located in a rich iron-mining region, Tula is an important transportation and manufacturing center. Industries produce iron and steel, agricultural machinery, mining equipment, and armaments. A notable structure is a well-preserved kremlin (citadel), begun in the early 16th century. Near the city is Yasnaya Polyana, the estate (now a museum) and burial place of Leo Tolstoy. First mentioned in 1146, Tula was (16th century) an important fortress of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. In 1712 Peter the Great founded the first arms factory in Russia there. Population (1999 estimate) 509,600.
