Inside an abandoned $200 million dollar castle complex in Turkey that resembles Disneyland is a deserted town.

Just outside the small town of Mudurnu in Turkey is the abandoned ghost town of Burj Al Babas, filled with castles reminiscent of Disneyland. Construction of the luxury village began in 2014, but the project was put on hold due to the economic downturn in Turkey. Today, the village is home to 587 empty castles, and tourists often come here to see the spooky ghost town in real life.

The empty castles that resemble Disneyland

According to The New York Times, there are more than 500 empty houses in Burj Al Babas that all look the same. Their blue-gray spires and gothic details are reminiscent of the castles seen in the Disney parks. Burj Al Babas has come to symbolize the country's economic decline and the sad history of the place.

The plans and the beginning of the project

The project was started in 2014 by brothers Erdelen and Bülent Yılmaz, construction entrepreneurs from Istanbul.

Location and layout

The strategic location of the site is near the Roman spa town of Mudurnu with its hot springs that provided heat to comfortably heat the houses and fill the Jacuzzis.

The original plan called for the construction of 700 buildings to appeal to foreign buyers who visit Turkey for its Mediterranean climate. The homes ranged in price from $370,000 to $500,000, matching the wealthy Middle Eastern clientele.

The group also planned to create a shopping center at the center of the development, as well as decorate the entire 250-acre site with gardens and lakes. Today, however, those visions remain unrealized, and Burj Al Babas has become something of a monument to the hard times of the Turkish economy.