Kotovsk and Tumbler

Each item has its own unique story. For example, a toy. Surely you have held in your hands the famous "Tumbler" - a doll with a meaning – no matter how much you drop it, it rises, returning to its original position. Do you know that it is made not at a toy factory, but at a powder factory? I didn't know until I visited a small town in central Russia called Kotovsk.

The road from Moscow to Kotovsk will take from seven to ten hours, depending on the transport. This is a satellite city of Tambov, so heading by train from Moscow, we made our first stop there, and already we got to Kotovsk by bus. This is a cozy, green town, it is surrounded by a pine forest, so the air there is delicious, and the places are picturesque.

The city-forming enterprise of Kotovsk "Tambov powder factory".

Initially, only gunpowder was produced on it, but in the 20s of the twentieth century, civilian products were also produced. So in 1959, a musical toy was created in its walls, which cannot be dropped, due to the fact that a special sinker is placed inside. She was given the talking name "Tumbler". The parts of the tumbler formed on the machines are still assembled and decorated by hand, creating a variety of characters.

By the way, the Museum of the history of the city of Kotovsk organizes excursions to the existing production, during which you can see with your own eyes all the stages of making toys: stamping, pressing, gluing, assembling, painting.

A special place in the museum itself is occupied by an exposition with tumblers. The collection is impressive. It contains exhibits from all periods of production from the 60s to the present day. On this trip we managed to visit only the museum, we did not get on the tour.

The city is proud of its symbol, there is a monument to the famous toy on the central square.

And in the first days of summer, the "Kotovskaya Tumbler Festival" is held here annually. Alas, we were there on other days. But Kotovsk still occupies its place in our tourist list, we want to visit there next time in early summer. I advise you to plan your trip on the day of the festival. The city will remain in your memory as a colorful country of childhood.