Burj Al Babas: An Abandoned Town of Disney-Inspired Castles

Burj Al Babas, located near the Black Sea, is a ghost town filled with 587 half-finished, abandoned mini-castles. Initially, it was planned as a luxurious urban development offering the appearance of royalty for those willing to pay from $370,000 to $500,000 for their own palace. The project developer, Sarot Group, envisioned rich foreigners enjoying the Mediterranean climate and hot springs in Gothic-style castles in the Roman spa town of Mudurnu, Turkey.

However, the construction of the Disney-inspired castle village was halted due to bankruptcy, lawsuits against the developers, and the struggling economy in Turkey. Despite confidence from the Sarot Group in 2019 that the $200 million project would resume, it has been left abandoned due to the pandemic. Currently, the town is not livable with only half-finished shells remaining. From a distance, the gray-roofed neighborhood appears enchanting, but closer inspection reveals an eerie postapocalyptic feel. The empty village is a chilling sight, with rows of partially completed castles, patchy landscaping, and no signs of life.

Address:
Burj Al Babas Villa
Büyükcami
Mudurnu, 14800
Turkey