In the Turkish countryside, a sprawling complex of 732 Disney-style castles stands eerily silent, a ghost town of unfinished dreams. Known as Burj Al Babas, the development was meant to be a luxury retreat for Gulf investors, with private pools fed by hot springs. But construction halted in 2016, leaving behind a surreal landscape of bare concrete, wildflowers, and neglected interiors.
Tour guide Adem Tekgöz of the Sarot Group, the developer, blames winter cold for the pause and promises a restart next summer. Yet evidence of water damage, dangling wires, and abandoned mouldings tells a different story. The site has become a viral sensation on YouTube, luring influencers and even serving as a backdrop for music videos.
The project has sparked lawsuits, an attempted suicide, and a minor diplomatic incident between Turkey and Kuwait. For locals, it is a divisive symbol: some see an eyesore, others still hope for economic benefits. The castles now epitomise the troubles of Turkey's construction sector under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where mismanagement and corner-cutting have been rampant, as highlighted by the 2023 earthquakes.
