Who is Zağnospaşa?

Zağanos Pasha (or Zağnos Pasha) was an Ottoman Empire pasha that played an important role in Mehmet the Conqueror period, who held office for Gallipoli Sanjak Beylik and as chief admiral, and was Trabzon Flag Officer during 1467-1469 period.

Pasha who was exiled during Sultan I. Murat, was summoned and assigned as the vizier the moment Mehmet the Conqueror inherited the throne. Zağanos Pasha was the military teacher of Mehmet the Conqueror when he was a child. He married with sultan's sister and became his brother-in-law and father-in-law at the same time. Moreover he married with Princess Anna during conquest of Trabzon. He had Rumelian Fortress built before the conquest of İstanbul and he contributed with his efforts in sending Ottoman navy to Kasımpaşa by land.

Mehmet the Conqueror and Zağanos Pasha

Despite of his status and being close to Mehmet the Conqueror, there is a recorded anecdote emphasizing his humbleness enough to work together with workers during the construction of mosque which is called "Zağnos Pasha Mosque" today: When Mehmet the Conqueror visited Balıkesir, Zağanos Pasha was personally working in the construction of mosque, by uplifting the stone on his back via the scaffold. Mehmet visited the construction area: "-May it be easy Zağanos..." he said. Zağanos Pasha, without turning his head and without seeing who talked to him, answered: -Thank you Mehmet! Mehmet asked: "How did you recognize me without seeing me?" Zağanos Pasha answered: -No one calls me Zağanos here. They call me Pasha. Only you can say my name. This is how I recognized you."