The obelisk was erected in the Palace Park in the 1770s under Grigory Orlov, the first owner of Gatchina. The monument is dedicated to the victory of the Russian fleet over the Turkish fleet during the Battle of Chesma. In this battle the squadron was commanded by the landowner's brother Alexei Orlov. The monument was erected in honor of the military merits of the commander. The image of the obelisk is also imprinted on the Orlov family coat of arms.