Ghost town for rent! Turkey set to auction lease on deserted village where crumbling stone houses and churches are trapped in time
One of the world’s spookiest ‘ghost towns’ – abandoned nearly 100 years ago in the fallout of the First World War – could be reborn as a major tourist hub.
To capitalise on its growing popularity among intrepid holidaymakers, Turkey’s government is auctioning off a 49-year lease on the deserted village of Kayakoy in return for its partial restoration.
Set against the Taurus Mountains, the village has hundreds of crumbling stone houses and two churches that seem to be trapped in time.
Dating as far back as the 18th century, the weathered ruins are part of a protected archaeological site that has become a big draw for travellers.
Turkey has announced that it will partially open the archaeological site to investors and the restoration project will include a hotel and tourist facilities that will encompass one-third of the village, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.
That is, if someone submits a successful bid in the auction on 23 October. An auction held last year was unsuccessful.
The project is expected to cost £8million and two companies have already expressed interest in bidding, but critics fear the town could lose its authenticity or originality, according to the newspaper.
Kayakoy, a Unesco World Friendship and Peace Village, is located in the Fethiye Peninsula, not far from white sand beaches and pricey resorts on the Aegean coast.
The village was abandoned when its inhabitants returned to Greece in a population exchange between the two countries in 1923 following the Greco-Turkish War.
Trapped in time: The Turkish village of Kayakoy, abandoned nearly 100 years ago in the fallout of the First World War, could be reborn as a major tourist hub
Ruins: The village was deserted when its inhabitants returned to Greece in a population exchange between the two countries in 1923 following the Greco-Turkish War
Haunting: Turkey’s government is planning to auction a 49-year lease on the abandoned village in return for its partial restoration.
Ghost town: Hundreds of crumbling stone houses and two churches seem to be trapped in time
Off the beaten path: Kayakoy's weathered ruins are part of a protected archaeological site that has become a big draw for intrepid tourists
Opportunity knocks: Turkey's government says the restoration project will include a hotel and tourist facilities that will encompass one-third of the ancient village
Try, try again: This is the second time Turkey has held an auction in an attempt to develop part of Kayakoy - last year's auction did not have a winning bid
Forgotten village: Two companies have reportedly expressed interest in bidding, but critics fear the town could lose its authenticity or originality if the project goes ahead
Lights, camera, action: Kayakoy has become a popular filming location and is home to a handful of residents who have restored some of its structures
Budding industry: Locals have already set up a small museum and restaurants to entertain visitors
Day trip: Kayakoy, a Unesco World Friendship and Peace Village, is a popular stop for tourists visiting white sand beaches and resorts on the Aegean coast
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