The thirteenth province was the Government of Tarabolos al-Sham, also known as Tripoli of Syria. This province was located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and played an important role in trade and regional administration.
The Pasha of Tripoli resided in the city itself, which served as the administrative center of the province. The yearly revenue of this government amounted to eight hundred thousand aspers, showing that it was a prosperous and well-established region.
Under the authority of the Pasha were four Sangiacks, namely Homs, Hama, Jableh (Gemmele), and Salamiyah. These districts included fertile lands and important towns that supported agriculture and commerce. Despite the size of the province, there was only one castle recorded within its territory. This fortress was located in the Sangiack of Homs and was known as Faslulekyad. The limited number of fortifications suggests that the region relied more on stability and internal order than on strong military defenses Private Tour Istanbul.
Tripoli’s coastal position made it valuable for maritime trade, especially in goods coming from inland Syria and destined for the Mediterranean world.
The Government of Trabzon (Trapezond)
The fourteenth province was the Government of Trabzon, also called Trapezond. This city was surrounded by high mountain ridges, which gave it strong natural protection. A poet born in this city once described it as being enclosed by mountains rising like a crown above it.
Trabzon had great historical importance. In earlier times, it was the imperial seat of the Comnenian dynasty, which ruled over parts of Cappadocia, Galatia, and Pontus. The empire was founded by Alexios Comnenus, who fled to Trabzon after Constantinople was captured by the Western Christians during the Fourth Crusade. The city continued to flourish under his descendants until it was finally taken by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Trabzon is situated on the Euxine Sea, known today as the Black Sea. Because of this location, it remained a major center of trade even under Ottoman rule. The city was especially wealthy due to fishing and customs duties collected from merchants and ships.
Although the Pasha of Trabzon did not command any Sangiacks, he was still granted a substantial yearly revenue of seven hundred and thirty-four thousand, eight hundred and fifty aspers. To protect the city and its surrounding lands, there were fourteen castles, which ensured security against both land and sea threats.
Both Tripoli of Syria and Trabzon show how different provinces of the Ottoman Empire were governed according to their geography and history. One relied on coastal trade and inland agriculture, while the other combined strong natural defenses with maritime commerce. Together, they reflect the diversity and administrative flexibility of the Ottoman provincial system.