The House of Orlov is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, scientists, diplomats, and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the 18th century through the achievements of five Orlov brothers, of whom the second eldest was Catherine the Great's paramour, and two younger brothers were notable military commanders.
Catherine the Great's charter of creation of the title of Count Orlov, 1763
Grigory Orlov sold his huge manor and castle in Gatchina to the crown in 1783.
In the 19th century, Orlov trotters were considered the fastest in Europe.
Portrait of Ivan Orlov, by Fyodor Rokotov
The naval Battle of Cheshme took place on 5–7 July 1770 during the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774) near and in Çeşme Bay, in the area between the western tip of Anatolia and the island of Chios, which was the site of a number of past naval battles between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice. It was a part of the Orlov Revolt of 1770, a precursor to the later Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), and the first of a number of disastrous fleet battles for the Ottomans against Russia. Today it is commemorated as a Day of Military Honour in Russia.
The destruction of the Ottoman fleet on 7 July Jacob Philipp Hackert
Vladimir Kosov. Chesma battle of 1770
Chesma Column
Combat in the Chios Strait by Ivan Aivazovsky
