Romanov

The House of Romanov was the ruling dynasty of Russia from 1613 to 1917, spanning roughly 304 years. It originated after the Time of Troubles when Michael I, a boyar-approved candidate, was elected tsar. The surname Romanov derives from the family lineage and was adopted by subsequent rulers.

The dynasty's early years consolidated the monarchy, with Michael I as the first tsar of the house, followed by Alexis I, Feodor III, and the co-rulers Peter I and Ivan V. In 1721 Peter the Great proclaimed the Russian Empire and ruled as its first Emperor, initiating extensive state modernization and westernization; he also founded Saint Petersburg as the capital.

The Romanovs presided over a vast empire and a centralized autocracy, expanding Russia's territory to the Baltic and Pacific and shaping the Orthodox Church's role in state affairs. Catherine II, though born a German princess, reigned as Empress and expanded reform, culture, and administration, continuing the era of consolidated imperial power.

The 19th century saw a mixture of modernization and repression. Reforms under Alexander II included the emancipation of the serfs in 1861, while his successors faced rising opposition and growing revolutionary activity. The 1905 Revolution forced concessions, including the establishment of a constitutional framework and a Duma, but real power remained with the autocracy.

World War I worsened conditions, contributing to the February 1917 Revolution and the abdication of Nicholas II. The Romanov family was executed in 1918, marking the end of the dynasty. The name remains associated with imperial Russia, its art and architecture, and the broader historical memory of the era.