What Many Don't Know About The House Of Romanov From Russia

The Rise And Fall Of The Romanovs

If you went down a Romanov Dynasty rabbit hole after watching Anastasia, you're not alone. Everyone knows a lot about Nicholas II and the fall of the dynasty, but let's find out what came before it—better yet, how it all began.

Nicholas II

Ivan The Terrible's Legacy

Czar Ivan IV, or (as most know him) Ivan the Terrible, was the first ruler to use the title "Tsar" in Russia. He was from the Rurik Dynasty and this was back in the 1500s. Then, he married Anastasia Romanovna, who was believed to have a calming influence on his fiery temper.

Ivan The Terrible Viktor Vasnetsov, Wikimedia Commons

Tragic Ending And Aftermath

Sadly, she was poisoned, which further fueled Ivan's infamous rage. In a fit of anger, Ivan the Terrible killed his own son and heir. This act, paired with his earlier mistreatment of his pregnant daughter-in-law, just solidified his reputation as one of history's most volatile and hated rulers.

Ivan The Terrible jimmyweee, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Romanovs Take The Throne

After Ivan's middle son Feodor died childless, Russia descended into the Time of Troubles (1589–1613). The period was marked by famine, foreign invasions, and more. But in 1613, a 16-year-old Michael Romanov was chosen as Russia's new tsar by a national assembly. This was the start of the Romanov dynasty's 300-year reign.

Michael Romanov Johann Heinrich Wedekind, Wikimedia Commons

The National Assembly's Role

The zemsky sobor, or national assembly, played a critical role in Russia's Tsardom. It was an active parliament, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. This advisory body was made up of clergy, nobles, landowning classes, the duma, and commoners.

Zemsky Sobor Sergey Ivanov, Wikimedia Commons

The Dual Rule Of Ivan V And Peter I

In 1682, a power struggle led to a unique arrangement: half-brothers Ivan V and Peter I co-ruled. This was the first and last time something like this happened. And well, while Ivan V was the nominal ruler, Peter quickly sidelined him and became the true power behind the throne.

Ivan V And Peter I Vasily Vereshchagin, Wikimedia Commons

Peter The Great's Bold Reforms

Peter the Great transformed Russia into a European power. From adopting Western technology and empowering compulsory education to establishing a navy, Peter's reforms modernized Russia. His efforts to secure access to the Baltic and Black Seas allowed Russia to challenge its European rivals and expand its maritime influence.

Peter The Great Paul Delaroche, Wikimedia Commons

Construction Of St. Petersburg

Peter the Great built St. Petersburg as Russia's new capital, calling it his "window to the West". Built on the conquered island of Zayachy, the city became a symbol of Russia's modernization. Its grand architecture was inspired by European styles.

St. Petersburg A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth's Expansion

Peter the Great's daughter, Elizabeth, ruled from 1741 to 1761 and expanded Russia's empire into Asia. As a child, Elizabeth was brilliant. And when we took the reins, Russia saw significant cultural and territorial growth. During her 20 years of rule, she did not execute a single person.

Elizabeth Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

The Short Reign Of Peter III

Peter III's time on the throne in 1762 was brief and tumultuous. His wife, Catherine the Great, along with the ministers, the army, and support of the enlightened aristocratic society staged a coup against him. Peter III abdicated the throne and a few days later, he was taken out. Catherine was then crowned the Tsarina in Moscow.

Peter III Fyodor Rokotov, Wikimedia Commons

Catherine The Great's Golden Age

From 1762 to 1796, Catherine the Great ushered in Russia's "Golden Age". She promoted the arts, built theatres and universities, founded cities like Yekaterinoslav, and expanded the empire. Catherine established the Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens, a state-supported institution for higher education. The first of its kind in all of Europe.

Catherine The Great Alexander Roslin, Wikimedia Commons

Catherine's Vaccine Legacy

In 1768, Catherine the Great became the first Russian ruler to champion vaccination. She valued and trusted the sciences. So, she received a smallpox vaccine herself, leading by example. She encouraged her courtiers and citizens to follow suit, and protect their youngins during the outbreak.

Catherine The Great Vladimir Borovikovsky, Wikimedia Commons

Alexander I Vs. Napoleon

Alexander I's leadership during the Napoleonic Wars was pivotal. In 1812, Napoleon's invasion of Russia ended in disaster, as Alexander's forces dealt a crushing attack to the French. His leadership at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 also helped reshape Europe after Napoleon's defeat.

Alexander I George Dawe, Wikimedia Commons

Alexander III's Railroads

You must've heard about the Trans-Siberian Railway—the longest railway line in the WORLD. Well, it was Alexander III who started and oversaw the construction of these railroads, which connected Russia's Far East with the rest of the empire. It was monumental in trade and administration across the nation.

Railroads William Henry Jackson, Wikimedia Commons

A Rare Royal Love Story

Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna shared a rare, happy royal marriage. Devoted to each other, they remained faithful throughout their lives. After his wedding, in his diary, Alexander wrote: "I often feel that I am not worthy of her, but even if this was true, I will do my best to be".

Alexander III And Maria Feodorovna Sergey Lvovich Levitsky, Wikimedia Commons

The Strongman Tsar

Alexander III was famously strong. He could tear decks of cards and twist silverware with his bare hands. He once bent a fork into knots before tossing it onto an ambassador's plate. When the roof collapsed during the Borki train disaster, he held it on his shoulders so that his kids could get out.

Alexander III Ivan Kramskoi, Wikimedia Commons

Nicholas II's Surprise Promotion

Nicholas II never expected to become tsar so young. When his father, Alexander III, passed due to nephritis at just 49, a 26-year-old Nicholas was thrust into power. Overwhelmed, he confessed to his cousin, "I am not prepared to be a tsar". What a heavy crown to wear.

Nicholas II Earnest Lipgart, Wikimedia Commons

The Khodynka Tragedy

The coronation of Nicholas II on May 14, 1896, was a tragic disaster. At Moscow's Khodynka field, thousands rushed for free food and souvenirs. But word went around that there was not enough for everyone, which led to a stampede that left over 1,000 people without lives.

Nicholas II's Coronation Valentin Serov, Wikimedia Commons

The First Hague Conference

Nicholas was not a great ruler but in 1898, he proposed the First Hague Conference, aimed at promoting global peace. In an effort ahead of its time, this established the Permanent Court of Arbitration and introduced declarations like banning asphyxiating poison gas in warfare.

Permanent Court Of Arbitration Antonie Steinmetz, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Anastasia's Disappointing Birth

As the fourth daughter, Anastasia's arrival dashed hopes for a male heir in the Russian court. Nicholas's sister, Grand Duchess Xenia, reportedly exclaimed, "My God! What a disappointment! A fourth girl". The real Anastasia was overshadowed by her older siblings and far from the beloved figure immortalized in movies.

Anastasia Romanov Court Photographer, Wikimedia Commons

Romanov Women During WWI

During WWI, Tatiana and Olga trained as Red Cross nurses alongside their mother, while Anastasia and Maria visited hospitals to cheer up the wounded. Their compassionate efforts showcased a different side of the royal family.

Romanov Women Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Hemophilia In The British Line

Tsarevitch Alexei inherited hemophilia, a genetic condition that made even minor injuries life-threatening. Passed down from his mother, Alexandra, and linked to Queen Victoria's family, this "royal disease" appeared in several European royal households. His fragile health dominated family decisions. And guess who entered the scene…

Tsarevitch Alexei Anonymous Russian Painter, Wikimedia Commons

Rasputin To The Rescue?

Desperate to save Alexei, Alexandra turned to Grigory Rasputin, a mystic healer. While Rasputin's methods were questionable, his apparent success in "healing" Alexei earned him Alexandra's trust. His growing influence caused rumors of scandal, even suggesting he had undue control over Alexandra and the tsar. Draaamaa.

Rasputin Karl Bulla, Wikimedia Commons

Rasputin's Exile

In 1910, Pyotr Stolypin (former PM) investigated Rasputin and presented the findings to Nicholas II. Although Nicholas refused to take action, Stolypin ordered Rasputin to leave St. Petersburg. Rasputin's death in 1916 was as dramatic as his life: after poison failed to kill him, he was shot and dumped into the freezing Neva River.

Pyotr Stolypin Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Tatiana And Olga Witness An Assassination

In 1911, Grand Duchesses Tatiana and Olga accompanied their father to the Kiev Opera House, where they witnessed Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin's assassination. The PM did not die on the spot but later, after four days, as his condition kept getting worse.

Tatiana And Olga Atelier Boasson and Eggler St. Petersburg Nevsky 24., Wikimedia Commons

House Of Special Purpose

The Romanovs spent their final days in the Ipatiev House, ominously dubbed the "House of Special Purpose". Guarded by 300 men, the house was surrounded by a wooden fence, its windows covered to isolate the family completely. By July 1917, the Romanovs were forced to live as commoners and under guard.

Ipatiev House N. Tatarchenko, Wikimedia Commons

Nicholas II's Heartbreaking Abdication

When Nicholas II abdicated on March 15, 1917, he wrote, "All around me there is treachery, cowardice, and deceit" in his diary. His resignation marked the end of a 300-year dynasty and the fall of imperial Russia.

Nicholas II's Abdication Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

A Rejected Asylum Request

Nicholas II asked Britain to grant his family asylum after his abdication. Although initially agreed upon, King George V later withdrew the offer, fearing public backlash during WWI. This was because Britain was fighting against Germany, and Tsarina Alexandra was German.

King George V Arthur Stockdale Cope, Wikimedia Commons

Family Resemblance

Nicholas II and Britain's King George V were first cousins, as both descended from Queen Victoria, and their mothers were sisters. They bore an uncanny resemblance to each other. But, the family ties weren't strong enough to save the Romanovs from their fate.

Nicholas II And King George V Ernst Sandau, Wikimedia Commons

The Dark Night Of July 17, 1918

On a grim July night, the Romanovs were led to a basement, supposedly for a picture. Instead, a firing squad awaited, and chaos erupted as bullets ricocheted off the daughters' jewel-filled corsets. The killers used bayonets to finish what their guns couldn't.

Basement Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Jewels As Armor

The Romanov daughters had sewn their priceless jewelry into their corsets, hoping to keep them safe. Ironically, the jewels deflected bullets during their execution. However, it did not save them; instead, all it did was prolong their suffering.

Romanov Daughters Boasson and Eggler St. Petersburg Nevsky 24., Wikimedia Commons

Alexei's Dog: Joy

Anastasia, Tatiana, and their little brother Alexei had all taken their dogs along with them to the basement. Out of the 3, only Alexei's dog, Joy, survived the family's murder. Rescued by a soldier, the loyal spaniel was taken to England, living out its days at Windsor Castle.

Alexei’s Dog, Joy The Siberian Times, Wikimedia Commons

Romanov Exile

After the royal family's execution, 47 surviving Romanov relatives fled into exile. This included Maria Feodorovna (Nicholas' mom), her daughters Xenia and Olga, and their husbands, Andrew Romanov (Xenia's son), etc. The dynasty's remaining members spread across Europe, living quiet lives far from their once-glorious empire.

Romanov Family Boasson and Eggler St. Petersburg Nevsky 24., Wikimedia Commons

The Mass Grave Discovery

In the 1970s, Dr. Alexander Avdonin discovered a mass grave containing most of the Romanovs. Fearing Soviet repercussions, he kept it a secret until 1991. It was revealed that after the execution, the killers had hastily buried the Romanovs in shallow graves, and acid was poured on the bodies to prevent identification.

Romanov Grave Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Missing Romanov Children

In the graves found, two children were unaccounted for. They were Alexei and either Anastasia or Maria. This sparked worldwide rumors of survival, with countless imposters, including the famous Anna Anderson, claiming to be Anastasia.

Missing Romanov Children Boasson and Eggler St. Petersburg Nevsky 24., Wikimedia Commons

Anna Anderson's Wild Claim

In 1920, a mysterious woman named Anna Anderson appeared in Berlin, claiming to be Anastasia, the youngest Romanov daughter. She said she survived the massacre thanks to a sympathetic guard. Despite her decades-long campaign for recognition, DNA testing later proved she had no connection to the Romanovs.

Anna Anderson josh phillipson, Flickr

The Final Pieces Of The Puzzle

In 2007, amateur archaeologists discovered the graves of Alexei and one of his sisters 70 feet away from the one containing the rest of the family. Among the remains, Alexei's molars stood out. The presence of amalgam fillings—an expensive rarity at the time—confirmed his aristocratic status.

Alexei And Sister Underwood & Underwood, Wikimedia Commons

The Church Declares Them Saints

In 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized the Romanovs as "passion bearers," honoring their faith and acceptance of their death. Earlier, in 1981, the Romanovs had already been declared saints by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

Russian Orthodox Church Svein-Magne Tunli - tunliweb.no, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Holy Relics And Burial Controversy

Because the Romanovs were deemed holy martyrs, their remains became sacred relics. This complicated traditional burial plans. Orthodox tradition forbids conventional funerals for saints, leading to debates over how to honor their remains properly. It's possible that the Church still doesn't recognize the DNA findings.

Romanovs Keith Ruffles, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The English Tutor's POV

Charles Sydney Gibbes, an English tutor to the Romanov children, stayed with the family even after their exile to Siberia. In 1918, he became one of the first foreigners to visit the scene of their execution. His diary, now in the Bodleian Library, offers rare insights into their lives during captivity.

Charles Sydney Gibbes Romanov family, Wikimedia Commons

Nicholas II's Tattoo

During a visit to Japan, Nicholas II got a dragon tattoo on his forearm. The artwork, which took seven hours to complete, was created by Hori Chyo—a famous Japanese tattoo artist. Interestingly, his cousin George V also got a dragon tattoo during a trip to Japan.

Nicholas II's Tattoo Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

The Otsu Incident

Japan was a… happening time for Nicholas II. The Tsar survived a hit taken out on him by a police officer wielding a sword while he was there. The attack left him with a scar on his forehead. So, technically, he had two scars upon his return to Russia—only one unsolicited.

Nicholas II Nagasaki City Library Archives, Wikimedia Commons

Literary Royal Patrons

Classic Russian literature thrived thanks to Romanov patronage. Authors like Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky were supported by the tsars. Their encouragement helped Russian literature become what it is today.

Leo Tolstoy Ivan Kramskoi, Wikimedia Commons

More German Than Russian

The Romanov Dynasty was dominated by generations of German princesses who married into the Romanov family. By the end, its rulers were almost entirely German by ancestry. The last tsar, Nicholas II, was only 1/128 Russian. Alexei, his son, was 1/256 Russian genetically.

Nicholas II Gustav Mullins, Wikimedia Commons

Blockbusters And Broadway

The Romanovs' tragic tale has inspired blockbuster movies, like the animated Anastasia (1997) and even a Broadway musical of the same name. These stories, though fictionalized, have kept the Romanovs in the public imagination for decades. And people continue to be sympathetic towards their tragedy.

Anastasia Movie ANASTASIA Clip - Crossroads (1997) Meg Ryan by JoBlo Animated Videos