Visualize driving across the mountains of Turkey and unexpectedly discovering hundreds of identical white manors soaring across the hills. With its exquisite towers, magnificent balconies, and architecture influenced by the French, the scenery appears to have come right out of a Disney film. But instead of a busy fairytale village, there is a stillness.
Welcome to Burj Al Babas, one of the most intriguing locations that has been abandoned and has gained more and more popularity among urban explorers, photographers, and inquisitive tourists alike.
Luxurious dream that remained unrealized.
Burj Al Babas is located somewhere next to the ancient town of Mudurnu in Turkey’s Bolu province. At the beginning of the construction process taking place in 2014, the idea was ambitious: to create an exclusive luxury community comprising hundreds of chateau-style villas, which were meant to take inspiration from classical European castles.
The grand project cost about $ 200 million and was aimed at rich buyers who wanted an extraordinary product.
Instead of ordinary houses which were supposed to be built there, every villa was planned to have the appearance of a mini-castle from France with numerous towers and elaborate balconies.
Development Was Not Limited to Housing.
Their concept comprised establishing an extensive luxury resort and having residents obtain their needs without leaving the community.
Restaurants, shopping centers, Turkish bathhouses, and wellness centers with entertainment areas are all part of the master plan which promised to encase an elite way of living in fairy-tale surroundings.
At the busiest times of the project, the construction of about 587 villas was accomplished while the developers aimed at exceeding 700 finished houses.
It was believed that the project might become one of the outstanding property projects in Turkey.
Then Everything Came to the Standstill.
However, the dream was soon over. In 2018 the developer encountered financial problems leading to the company stopping its activity. The workers vanished, the unfinished sites were abandoned, and the luxury village turned to be a deserted place.
Although many houses were constructed already, countless thousands of living quarters were still unfinished.
Many roads connect the villas, yet there is hardly any occupant there.
The Reason Why the Non-occupied Castles Gained Popularity on the Internet
It seems that the failure of this project contributed to its fame.
Images and drone videos showing lines of similar white castles made their way to social media in no time.
The Visit to the Abandoned Place
Now, a person visiting the castle can’t find the right words to describe what he or she sees.
The streets have been established.
The buildings are represented.
The nature is magnificent.
However, at the same time, everything seems to be terribly empty.
A walk in Burj Al Babas gives one a feeling of being on the film set.
Every Castle Seems Almost Alike
One of the most memorable aspects of Burj Al Babas is its uniformity.
The architecture of each villa is almost identical, creating a never-ending line of white castles along the slopes.
This development gives an impression of a series of fairy-tale castles, instead of individual houses.
The seen originality of the complex contributes to its unforgettable appearance, especially from above.
Aerial photography is a great way for people to see how gigantic the abandoned place is.
Infrastructure Was Not Built
There are many beautiful villas in this area, but hardly any infrastructure was constructed.
The lack of shops, cafes, and inhabitants makes it look like a dream that is stuck in time.
It is very easy to imagine what Burj Al Babas was expected to become.
A Photographer’s Delight
It is not every abandoned site that provides stunning views.
Burj Al Babas does.
Surrounded by lush forests and impressive mountains, this idyllic site looks fantastic due to its contrasting white castles spread across the landscape.
Depending on the weather conditions, Burj Al Babas may appear different: it may seem magical, eerie, or even like a scene from a movie.
Its morning fog has become one of the most photographed locations in Turkey.
Burj Al Babas is One of the Most Unique Tourist Destinations in Turkey
Visiting Burj Al Babas does not mean staying in lavish hotels.
Tourists come there to explore an example of the most significant architectural failure in the world.
The abandoned castle village has become a place to explore empty streets. People are into observing those splendid buildings and think about how life could be there if the project became successful.
The End of a Fairy Tale
Burj Al Babas captures two different stories in one.
It tells the story of a dream come true, filled with luxury and an unforgettable lifestyle that would distinguish it from others in Turkey.
It also tells the tale of shattered dreams and silence in hundreds of castles.
Today, the towers still attract tourists from all over the world—not because they were once a success, but because they are now one of the most picturesque neighborhoods ever offered in the world.
