18.01.2026 18:51
The area of Güzelhisar Castle and its surroundings, one of the most special places in Trabzon with its commanding position over the Black Sea, its centuries-old history, and its place in the city's memory, is now seeking its future under the shadow of multifaceted legal processes. Throughout history, this region, which has been one of the most strategic and symbolic points of the city and covers approximately 1,300 acres, now presents an unusable appearance.
On the slopes overlooking the port of Trabzon, the beautiful Hisar Castle and its surroundings, facing the Black Sea, stand out as one of the most remarkable areas of the city with its natural texture and historical accumulation.
SEARCHING FOR THE FUTURE UNDER THE SHADOW OF MULTIFACETED LEGAL PROCESSES Historically one of the most strategic and symbolic points of the city, the beautiful Hisar Castle, covering an area of approximately 1,300 acres, has been overshadowed by ongoing legal processes for many years. The lawsuits between the General Directorate of Foundations, the treasury, and various institutions have plunged the future of the area, referred to as the "city balcony" in the public eye, into uncertainty, while public use of the region has also been impossible for years. The area located in the Ganita district, which is still classified as a military zone, was transferred to the army after the 1960 coup when it was previously owned by the Trabzon Municipality. The ownership disputes and lawsuits that began after this process have led to the long-term inactivity of the beautiful Hisar Castle and its surroundings. The historic castle and its surroundings, which were once used as a military casino, do not have an active public function today. While a large part of the area is used as a parking lot for military personnel and their families, this valuable region located in the center of Trabzon is referred to in the public eye as "the historical heritage left idle."
HISTORY REACHING OUT FROM VENICE AND GENOA The area where the beautiful Hisar Castle is located was among the privileged areas of the Venetians and Genoese during the Trabzon Empire period. According to historical sources, there were structures belonging to the Venetians in the region. During the Ottoman period, the Governor of Trabzon, Üçüncüzade Ömer Pasha, had a palace built here. Since the authority to build permanent residences in the Ottoman architectural tradition belonged to the state, this structure drew the reaction of the central government. After rumors reached the sultan, Üçüncüzade Ömer Pasha was executed in the garden of the palace he had built. After this incident, the area passed to the Ottoman Empire but remained unused for a long time.
It is stated that after the execution, the region was referred to as "cursed" among the people, which is why it was not preferred for many years. During the period of Russian attacks, the area, which contained military fortifications, was reopened for public use with the declaration of the Republic. However, after the 1960 coup, it became a military zone again.
THE ÜÇÜNCÜOĞLU FAMILY ALSO WANTS THE CASTLE The lawsuits related to the region are not limited to public institutions. There is also a legal process based on the legacy of Üçüncüzade Ömer Pasha, who served as the Governor of Trabzon during the Ottoman period. The grandchildren of Üçüncüzade Ömer Pasha filed a lawsuit claiming that the land in question is a family inheritance, requesting the registration of their inheritance and the title deed to be made on behalf of the Üçüncüoğlu Solidarity and Assistance Association, of which they are members. This lawsuit stands out as one of the legal issues that leave the future of the beautiful Hisar Castle and its surroundings in uncertainty, alongside the ongoing property lawsuits between the General Directorate of Foundations and the treasury.
CALL FOR 'CITY BALCONY' IN THE ASSEMBLY Architect Ufuk Hoş, an AK Party Council Member of Ortahisar Municipality, emphasized the importance of the beautiful Hisar Castle and its surroundings for Trabzon in his speech at the municipal council meeting. Hoş described the area as "Trabzon's city balcony," stating that the public has been deprived of this region.
Emphasizing that this area in the city center should be evaluated as a maritime-themed museum, open-air event spaces, and a completely green city park, Ufuk Hoş stated, "The castle park is the place from which the city of Trabzon takes its name, we think. Throughout history, it has been used as a recreational area for the people, where picnics were held, and at one time there were tennis courts, a region that influenced the cultural arts of the city. It is currently unused. Because it is not used, it is idle. I believe it should be well evaluated and reopened for the use of the people of Trabzon. There could also be a museum related to the maritime symbol of Trabzon inside. But it should be left completely green, with the trees on it registered without much intervention. It is a military zone, but it is not being used. There used to be a military casino inside, but it is not being used now. I think it is a burden for them as well. The property was previously owned by the Trabzon Municipality. Later, due to the military coup, our army settled in the area. Some lawsuits arose due to that settlement. The lawsuits between the General Directorate of Foundations and the treasury are ongoing. Regardless of who wins, it can be given to the municipalities on the condition that the property remains with them and is opened for the use of the people of Trabzon," he said.
"WE NEED TO RETURN IT TO THE CITY CULTURE" Ufuk Hoş, who said, "Regardless of who owns the property, it should be opened for public use," stated, "During the Trabzon Empire period, it was one of the privileged areas of the Venetians and Genoese. There are palaces of the Venetians on it. Later, Üçüncüzade Ömer Pasha from the Üçüncüoğulları had a palace built there. In the Ottoman architectural tradition, building permanent residences is something that belongs only to the state. Even sultans cannot build permanent residences. When a permanent residence is built there, it is warned by the Ottoman administration. Due to the weakening of the central government of the Ottomans, rumors go to Sultan Mahmud I that Ömer Pasha will establish his own state here. Ultimately, Üçüncüzade Ömer Pasha is executed in the garden of the palace he built. Ömer Pasha's properties are distributed. A foundation deed is created to take care of the state’s children. Currently, there is a lawsuit regarding that. After Ömer Pasha's execution, the property passes to the Ottoman state but remains idle, no one uses it. After Ömer Pasha's execution, the people of Trabzon see it as a cursed area and do not enter. Later, during the Russian attacks, it turns into an area with military fortifications for the protection of the Ottomans.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the area was opened for public use. After the coup in 1960, it was returned to the military. I believe that it should have already been acquired by the municipality and opened for public use. A legal process may continue here. It doesn't matter who the ownership passes to. Whether it is the Ortahisar Municipality, the Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, the General Directorate of Foundations, the Üçüncüoğlu family, or the treasury, all entities must definitely make it available for public use. Because no ownership is established there. You cannot bring a structure to a registered area; no one would allow such a thing. Trabzon has many valuable areas and lands like this. We need to reintegrate these into the urban culture," he stated.