PHOTO: entrance to the Romanov Memorial at Porosenkov Log

According to the director of the Romanov Memorial Charitable Foundation Ilya Korovin, state experts, claim that more than 3 kilograms [6.6 lbs] of Tsar’s family [Alexei and Maria] bone remain in the ground at Porosenkov Log, where the remains of Russia’s last Tsar and his family were discovered in 1979.

Remains of Alexei and Maria

Recall that only partial remains of Tsesarevich Alexei and his sister Grand Duchess Maria were discovered in 2007, in a second grave, situated about 60-70 meters [more than 200 feet] from the main grave.

As noted above, the main grave, containing the remains of Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, three of their five children: Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia, along with their four faithful retainers were discovered in 1979, however, they were not exhumed until 1991. And it was not until 2007, that the second grave, containing the remains of the other two children: Alexei and Maria were discovered.

The burial of the Imperial Family’s remains took place on 17th July 1998, at the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. This historic event took place nearly a decade before Alexei and Maria’s remains were discovered.

While there have been repeated calls to carry out further excavations for more remains, these calls have failed to produce any results. This is one of the many reasons “WHY” the Romanov Memorial at Porosenkov Log and the areas surrounding it needs to be protected from development.

FURTHER READING

The Fate of the Ekaterinburg Remains + PHOTOS – updated on 18 June 2021

PHOTO: Only 44 pieces of Alexei and Maria’s bones
have been found at Porosenkov Log, near Ekaterinburg

For years, the boxes containing 44 bone fragments of Alexei and Maria remained on dusty shelves in the Russian State Archives in Moscow. On 24th December 2015, their remains were transferred to the Lower Church of the Transfiguration Cathedral at the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow, where they remain to this day.

The question of when Alexei and Maria’s remains will be buried with that of their family currently rests with the Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Council were set to meet in 2021, and then 2022 to discuss the Ekaterinburg Remains, however, this was delayed . . . indefinitely.

“Since the international situation continues to make it difficult for many members of the Bishops’ Council to arrive in Moscow [from foreign countries], a decision has been made to postpone the meeting indefinitely . . . ” the Synod’s resolution stated (Journal No. 66) dated 25th August 2022.

PHOTO: arks containing the remains of Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich and Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna are carried to the Lower Church of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow in December 2015

Creation of a historical and cultural reserve

During a meeting of the Council of Caring Citizens, held earlier this week in Ekaterinburg, the mayor of the Ural city, Alexei Orlov,voiced his support for the creation of a historical and cultural reserve in Porosenkov Log and surrounding areas. The initiative was announced by the director of the Romanov Memorial Charitable Foundation Ilya Korovin.

According to Korvin, “the status as a historical and cultural reserve, Porosenkov Log would be protected from developers. The process would involve a historical and cultural examination by experts, who on conclusion, would recognize the territory as a unique integral historical, cultural and natural complex. The documents are now being prepared,” he added.

Although Mayor Alexei Orlov generally supported the initiative, he emphasized that the status and restrictions still need further discussion. “Any obstacles could impact minor upgrades to the area, such as the construction of access roads to the Romanov Memorial,: he said.

Local guide Konstantin Brylyakov confirmed that in winter it is difficult for cars and buses to park at the memorial. He also noted, that visitors are also restricted access to the memorial, due to the accumulation of snow on the path which leads from the tiny parking area near the road.

“The topic is delicate. In order to develop the territory, we need to think about the status, so as not to create restrictions for ourselves,” Orlov concluded.

At the same time, the mayor, at the request of Ilya Korovin, guaranteed a ban on any construction in this part of the Zheleznodorozhny district of the city. This would include the areas in an around the Romanov Memorial.

Earlier it became known that the Russian Orthodox Church received 70 hectares of the Ekaterinburg forest park, near the Romanov Memorial. The entire site has the status of a specially protected natural area, and Porosenkov Log as a cultural heritage site of regional importance. It is generally believed that following the recognition of the Ekaterinburg Remains by the Moscow Patriachate as those of Nicholas II and his family, that the ROC have plans to construct a monastery, similar to that of Ganina Yama, situated 3.8 km down the road. The Ekaterinburg Dioces, however, deny such claims.

Recall that in 2015, the discussion about the remains found in Porosenkov Log resumed. The criminal investigation finally confirmed their authenticity, but the Russian Orthodox Church has not yet made a decision on the recognition or non-recognition of the remains. And so, we wait . . .

© Paul Gilbert. 16 September 2026