The memorial to those killed in the Second World War brings together names, sculptures and inscriptions in Pervomayskiy. At the pond, a historical bathing designation is particularly relevant. This gives visitors a way into local remembrance history, while the connection to the water requires its own historical context. If swimming is part of your plans, check the current local bathing approval in advance.
Memorial and Local History
The memorial was erected in September 1956; the sculptural monument and the eternal flame were added in 1957. The ensemble “Two Mourning Warriors” includes four mass graves and two memorial plaques bearing the names of Pervomayskiy residents who took part in the Great Patriotic War. Further plaques give 9 May 1957 as the date the first Eternal Flame in the USSR was lit, as well as the beginning and end of the war.
The name plaques draw attention to Pervomayskiy residents; the other inscriptions connect the course of the war with the history of the Eternal Flame. This makes it possible to understand the ensemble both through its design and through the names and dates recorded there.
The town’s history also includes the monument to S. A. Dzhobadze, which was unveiled in Pervomayskiy on 22 June 2016. This date provides another specific point of reference alongside the memorial’s historical origins.
Pond and Beach Area
In 2020, the pond in Pervomayskiy was one of five recreational areas in Shchyokino District officially approved for swimming. Anyone wishing to swim there today should check the current local bathing approval.
The beach area in Pervomayskiy was further developed in 2020; by then, it had long been regarded as a recreational spot for residents and visitors. This historical reference places the reported development of the beach area in context without implying that swimming is currently permitted.
More Cultural Sites in Tula Oblast
The wider destination of Tula Oblast offers other cultural attractions that broaden the view beyond Pervomayskiy. The following places and activities each represent a distinct focus within the region.
In Tula, the exhibition “Skazanie o Mamaevom poboishche” at the “Tulskie drevnosti” Museum explores the Battle of Kulikovo. In its interactive areas, visitors can weave a piece of chain mail, try on armour and learn to read chronicle miniatures. A second exhibition at the same museum, “Sekrety tulskikh masterov,” features a pottery workshop, a blacksmith’s workshop and household objects from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The exhibitions offer different perspectives: one combines the history of the battle with interactive activities, while the other focuses on crafts and everyday objects.
At the Yasnaya Polyana Museum-Estate, a guide leads visitors through the central part of the estate. They learn about Tolstoy’s favourite places for daily walks, the local flora and fauna, the history of the Tula defensive lines and Tolstoy’s plantings. The guided walk is offered from May to October. Leo Tolstoy’s personal library has also been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
Another museum and a monument to the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo are located in the village of Monastyrshchino, in Kimovsk District, Tula Oblast. The Polenovo Estate offers an architectural highlight: the artist Vasily Polenov designed all the buildings himself.
Discover more destinations: Uslovaya, Skuratovskiy, Balevo, Borodinskiy, Samarovo, Mordves, Novomoskovsk, Tula
For the wider travel overview: Tula Oblast.
