Tlos Ancient City in southwestern Türkiye's Muğla province has illuminated its restored ancient theater with a solar energy system.
Listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List and regarded as one of the important settlements of the Lycian civilization, Tlos has been the site of year-round excavation and restoration work led by professor Taner Korkut of Akdeniz University’s Department of Archaeology.
The theater, restored using original pieces identified at the site, has now been illuminated through a solar energy system implemented under the coordination of the Muğla Governorship.
Muğla Governor Idris Akbıyık told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Muğla stands out not only for its sea, sun and beaches but also for its history, agriculture, culture and forests.
Noting that the province is home to numerous archaeological sites, museums and ancient cities, Akbıyık said the Muğla Governorship supported work at 28 ancient cities last year, including Tlos.
"The theater was fully restored ... A solar energy system was installed to illuminate the theater, which has a capacity of approximately 8,500 people. The lighting is powered entirely by solar energy. We have also prepared the site for nighttime museum visits,” he said.
Akbıyık said the ancient theater could host a range of cultural and social events, including concerts, and emphasized that its restoration - carried out almost entirely with original stones - serves as an exemplary restoration project.
He said the restored theater would particularly contribute to efforts to extend tourism across all 12 months of the year.
"Our biggest goal is to move Muğla’s tourism beyond the traditional sea, sand and sun model and promote health and cultural tourism,” he said.
"Last year, 1.3 million people visited archaeological sites and ancient cities in Muğla. Tlos will make a significant contribution to this figure. The use of green energy and solar power that is compatible with nature also gives the project an added significance. This is an important asset for our region in terms of cultural tourism.”