City of Ghost Castles Burj Al Babas

The most famous abandoned city in the world is Burj Al Babas, located in Turkey. It was once intended as a luxury resort for millionaires. But today this place is hundreds of ghost castles spread out in a picturesque valley. Their turrets, like the scenery for a film about the end of the world, look out at the world with empty eye sockets of windows.

There are many abandoned cities in the world, but Burj Al Babas, located between two key Turkish cities – Istanbul and Ankara – is special. This settlement was not abandoned by people because of disasters or lack of work. It simply did not have time to meet its inhabitants. The city has become a monument to grandiose plans that were not destined to come true. Burj Al Babas is a symbol of ambitions that collapsed under the weight of reality.

The idea for Burj Al Babas came to brothers Mehmet and Mezher Yerdelen in 2011. Their company, Sarot Group, leased 250 acres of land in a picturesque valley in Bolu province, near the historic town of Mudurnu. The plan was grandiose: to build 732 mansions in the style of medieval castles, as well as a shopping mall, a spa, a mosque, a hotel and two business centers. The project was estimated to cost 200 million euros.

The location was not chosen by chance. The province of Bolu is famous for its dense forests, mountains and healing hot springs. The architects were inspired by the castle from Disney fairy tales and created miniature palaces with turrets and pointed roofs. These three-story houses were supposed to become a symbol of luxury. Each mansion had spacious rooms, heated floors, fireplaces and pools filled with water from thermal springs. The cost of one house started from 370 thousand dollars, which attracted the first buyers - mainly millionaires from Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Everything looked promising, but the project encountered unexpected difficulties. Local residents opposed the development, fearing for the region's ecology. Activists found out that relict forests were being cut down at the construction site, which caused indignation and protests. In 2015, a criminal case was opened against the developer. In 2018, it was supplemented by a lawsuit for damage to the environment. And then even more serious problems arose...

The main blow was dealt by the economic crisis. At the peak of the Burj al-Babas project, oil prices plummeted. Potential buyers one after another abandoned their purchases, while others stopped making payments. Plus, political and economic instability in Turkey added to this. As a result, in 2018, the company declared bankruptcy, leaving behind a debt of $27 million and 587 unfinished houses without utilities.

In 2020, the project was bought by the American company NOVA Group Holdings. Rumors emerged about the project being revived. But the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn prevented the work from resuming. Many are concerned about whether Burj Al Babas will be completed. The forecast is extremely disappointing - most likely not. There is simply no money to complete the grandiose project. And more and more is needed every year. The unfinished castles are gradually collapsing under the influence of atmospheric phenomena. And this place, where only snakes and stray dogs live permanently, is no longer attractive to anyone.

The ghost town, which was intended as a symbol of luxury, now looks like a set for a post-apocalyptic film. Now the wind blows in Burj Al Babas and rare connoisseurs of the aesthetics of the wasteland. There is a lot of construction waste lying around the town, some of which has already been dragged away by locals. It seems that even time has stood still here.

The ghost town has long had a bad reputation among locals and they are afraid to go there. But the city attracts fans of abandoned places and travel bloggers who come in search of unusual content. The bizarre architecture and atmosphere of this place made it a stage for filming music videos and unusual photo shoots. For example, it was here that the MEDUZA video clip - Lose Control was filmed, as well as several scenes from the SebastiAn music video - Sober.

Photos of Burj Al Babas have long since spread across the Internet and have become a real sensation. These images are mesmerizing with their contrasting atmosphere. Rows of perfectly identical castles with pointed roofs look both fabulous and frightening. Many people like the gloomy beauty of the ghost town, reminiscent of scenes from mystical films or video games. The architecture in the style of medieval castles and the wild nature surroundings create a unique combination that cannot be found anywhere else.

Would you like to visit this place? What attracts you more in such cities: their unusual architecture or the gloomy atmosphere of abandonment? Share your opinion!