In Turkey, there is a place that, at first glance, looks like something out of a fairy tale. However, its story resembles more that of a horror movie. This is Burj Al Babas, a gigantic residential complex that was left half-built and ended up becoming one of the most striking ghost towns in the world.
Burj Al Babas: the Disney-like stage that has been abandoned for years
Burj Al Babas is located near the town of Mudurnu, in the Turkish province of Bolu, halfway between Istanbul and Ankara. The project, started in 2011, aimed to create a luxury residential development consisting of hundreds of villas inspired by European castles.
The houses, all with a practically identical aesthetic, feature striking towers, ornate balconies, and dark roofs that inevitably bring to mind a Disney stage. The result is so uniform that, in aerial photographs, the houses seem to be part of a movie set.
The complex was also supposed to include commercial facilities, restaurants, leisure areas, pools, and other services aimed at making it an exclusive residential destination. However, construction was halted when many houses were already completed in their exterior structure. The empty streets and rows of identical buildings turned the project into a surreal landscape.
The story of this ghost town and its 700 castles
The project was initiated by the Turkish group Sarot Group, which initially planned to build over 700 castles to be sold at a price between 400,000 and 500,000 euros. However, the project soon faced financial difficulties. In 2018, the company sought protection from its creditors, leading the project into a complex financial and legal battle that halted its development.
The economic crisis and the challenges of the Turkish real estate market further complicated the situation. Although the complex had already attracted buyers and had sparked international interest, the project was never completed.
Today, its hundreds of castles serve as a reminder that even the most spectacular projects can come to a standstill. And perhaps that's why Burj Al Babas is so fascinating: it looks like a fantasy realm, but its story is entirely real.