The sculpture was created by artist Boris Korneyev.
The fictional Lefty represents the collective spirit of Tula's real-life 19th-century armorers and craftsmen.
The monument was commissioned as part of the city's celebration of its 300-year history as a center of gunsmithing.
The figure stands approximately 4 meters tall, including the base.
The base features a plaque with an excerpt from Leskov's novella.
The monument is positioned specifically to face the Tula Arms Plant, acknowledging the city's historic manufacturing heritage.
The Pamyatnik Levshe is a bronze monument dedicated to the legendary craftsman Lefty, the protagonist of Nikolai Leskov's 1881 short story 'The Tale of Cross-eyed Lefty from Tula and the Steel Flea'. Located near the Upa River in Tula, the sculpture depicts the blacksmith holding a hammer and a magnifying glass, symbolizing the artisan's precision. It was installed in 2012 to celebrate Tula's historical status as a center for master metalwork and weaponry. The monument sits on a granite pedestal near the entrance to the Tula Arms Plant. The artisan figure commemorates the mythical character who famously shoed a microscopic steel flea imported from England. This monument serves as a cultural landmark representing the city’s industrial identity and folklore. It is a frequent stop for visitors walking through the riverside park zone.
From the river embankment, capturing the monument with the Tula Arms Plant in the background.
Visit during daylight hours as the bronze details are best viewed in natural light.
Combine this visit with a trip to the nearby Tula State Arms Museum for historical context.
The surrounding riverside embankment is pedestrian-friendly and offers clear views of the nearby historic bridges.
Do not mistake the monument for the Tula State Arms Museum, which is a separate facility nearby.
