Counts Orlov-Davydov

[AkshayChavan]

In the book "The Aristocracy in Europe" the author Dominic Lieven writes that Counts Orlov Davydov were as wealthy as the Yussupovs. In another book i read that Counts Orlov Davydov and Yussupovs were the two richest families in russia.
What surprises me is how little we know of this family unlike the Yussupovs. Does anyone have more info about their wealth, palaces or genealogy?

[lancashireladandre]

Seem to remember this family being mentioned in "Russian Court Memoirs"originally printed by Herbert Jenkins,London in 1917,reprinted in the 1990's.They were descended from one of the 4 younger brothers of Catherine the Greats lover Prince Gregory (the descendants of another brother were the Princes Orlov who died out with the death of Prince Nicholas in 1960's).I seem to remember there was a mention of a Count O-D who was married to a Baroness Teckla DE Staal/ De Stael .They will be mentioned in the volumes of " Comtades de Empire Russe" by Jacques Ferrand.This lists all the Counts and their families from the revolution till the 1970's/80's.

[AkshayChavan]

The family of Counts Orlov-Davydov were considered to be the second richest family in Russia after the Yussupovs. While searching on the internet I found some photos of the Orlov-Davydov Palace. It looks absolutely magnificent!!! Unfortuately it has been divided into apartment houses. The family coat of arms on main entrance looks splendid. The palace is located on some place called Kutuzova street or Kutuzov embankment in St Petersburg. Does anyone have more info on this palace?

The photo of the palace

The Orlov-Davydov Coat of Arms

The Main entrance

[BobG]

The house is located at naberezhnaya Kutuzova (Kutuzov's Embankment) number18 which is along the Neva beginning just after Troitsky Bridge up to Liteyney bridge.  The house was originally built in 1770 and reconstructed in 1885-86.  One of the architects to work on the reconstruction was N. V. Dmitriev. I assume that when it was owned by the Orlov-Davydov's.

Bob G

PS. I was wondering where the great pictures of the house came from?

[AkshayChavan]

If any of the forum members have a lot of cash to spend, then they can buy a luxury apartment in this palace. The palace has been divided into apartments which are for sale. I won't be surpised looking at taste of Russian businessmen, that disco lights and jacuzzis will soon be installed in this historic palace. How sad!!

Here is the link for the photos -
http://vipflat.com/141.html