Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

The ancestors of a former Ottoman Pasha have officially been declared heirs of his ancient castle built in the 13th century after a four-year lawsuit to prove it belongs to them.

Built by the Genoese during the Ottoman Empire, the centuries-old Guzelhisar Castle belonged to Ucuncuzade Omer Pasha who was a governor in the Turkish Trabzon region between 1737 and 1745.

Five of Omer Pasha’s ancestors filed a lawsuit in 2017 claiming to be lawful heirs of the castle and its surrounding land, which is presently used as a military base.

The four-year trial recently came to an end when the court decided that the plaintiffs were the heirs of Ucuncuzade Omer Pasha and that the castle belonged to the same family.

As the case unfolded, it became clear that Adnan Gungor Ucoglu, Edhem Ucuncu, Gurses Ucuncu, Nabi Ucuncu and Hayrettin Ucuncu, all part of the Ucuncuoglu family, were the lawful heirs of the former Trabzon governor.

Adnan Gungor Ucuncuoglu said: “After receiving the castle, we can live in it if we want.”

He added that they would signpost ‘Ucuncuoglu Castle’ at the entrance of the castle.

As for the income received from the castle, which lies on approximately 300 acres (1.2 square kilometres) of land, Adnan said they would use it to provide opportunities for children and orphans.

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