Mihail Sturdza

Michael Stourdza or Mikhail Stourtzas, also Mihail Sturdza (Greek Μιχαήλ Στούρτζας; * 1794 in Jassy, † 8 May 1884 in Paris) was a Moldavian prince of Greek origin and honorary citizen of Baden -Baden.

Life and work

The Stourdza family was a phanariotische Greek family. The parents of Mikhail Stourdza moved from Constantinople Opel in the Principality of Moldavia. Stourdza was taught by a French tutor, soon spoke eight languages ​​and was known for his education, which allowed him a job in the civil service. His maternal grandfather was chancellor under Prince Skarlatos Kallimachi ( Scarlat Calimah ), so he could participate in the genesis of the 1817 published Moldovan Code.

1834 Mikhail Stourdza was elected prince of Moldavia. After the Treaty of Balta Limani 1849 he had to resign. He took up his residence in Paris.

He was married twice: his first wife he had two sons Rosetti ( Gregory and Michael Demeter ), his second wife Smaragda, 21 years his junior, gave birth to a son Michael and a daughter Mary.

In 1854, the family spent the summer months in Baden -Baden, where the family had built the Palais Stourdza at the Lichtentalerstraße. In June 1863 his son died Michael Stourdza Junior, just 16 years old. The father donated in memory of Stulzschen orphanage in Lichtental 10,000 florins and the hospital Baden -Baden 4000 guilders. He was buried at the named after the son of Michael's Mount, where a Greek Orthodox Stourdza Chapel was built. He laid there also a park for the public. The chapel was designed by Leo von Klenze and should serve as a burial place, but also for worship according to the Greek Orthodox rites of the entire family. It was inaugurated on 25 October 1866.

Stourdza left a huge fortune, his relatives carried on his whereabouts after his death, a number of lawsuits against each other.

Honors in Baden -Baden

• Honorary Citizenship, 1872
• Michael Berg with the now Romanian Orthodox Stourdza Chapel
• Michael tunnel
• Stourdzastraße