At a glance, this roadside oddity in a remote region of Turkey might look like an offshoot of Disney World or other amusement parks. If you happen to be passing by, you won’t find a ticket office or welcome center, though, because the complex of Burj Al Babas —despite the many castle-like buildings it’s filled with — is completely abandoned.
What began as an ambitious new housing project has turned into a viral sensation, drawing travelers and urban explorers to Bolu Province, a popular mountain getaway destination halfway between Istanbul and the Turkish capital of Ankara. Two things make this place feel so uncanny. Firstly, unlike other abandoned destinations, such as Italy’s eerie abandoned hill towns, no one has ever lived in one of the fairytale-like constructions of Burj Al Babas. Secondly, there is something downright creepy and strange about seeing so many identical European-style castles clustered together. It feels claustrophobic and inauthentic to the traditional Turkish architecture one would hope to see in the area.
How a place like this comes into existence is an interesting story, but so is the fact that it has become popular with adventurous travelers who aren’t afraid to trespass. Here’s everything you need to know about Burj Al Babas, including whether or not you should or will be allowed to visit.
Where did this town come from?
The origin of Turkey’s empty castle town can be traced back to plans to build a luxury housing complex that would offer prospective buyers access to free spa services and next-door access to a large shopping center –– the skeleton of which can be seen today at the site. The location in the town of Mudurnu, which is one of the Bolu Province’s thermal spring hot spots, would have capitalized on the naturally warm waters. The villas surrounding this complex were designed to be built in an identical style with European-style facades, Gothic tower rooftops, and elegant spiral staircases.
Construction of this idyllic neighborhood began in 2014, and a total of 587 housing units were sold, but it all unraveled within the first few years. Facing public criticism and lawsuits that objected to both the aesthetics of the project and the damage to the environment, the developers eventually declared bankruptcy. The project was abandoned in 2019, leaving many houses unfinished and £200 million GBP (about $257 million USD) squandered. There are no plans to restart the project. Still, in the meantime, Burj Al Babas has become a viral sensation in the travel community, and it was even featured in a music video by the Italian house group Meduza.
Is it legal to visit Burj Al Babas?
