Tlos Ancient Theatre Prepares for Night Tourism with Solar Energy

The tourism product of Muğla is not only composed of the coastline. The new application completed in the ancient city of Tlos in Seydikemer points to a different tourism model that could open the region's archaeological heritage to evening hours and cultural events.

Located among the ancient cities of the Lycian civilization on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, the long-restored theatre's works have been completed. The approximately 8,500-seat structure has been illuminated with a Solar Energy System established under the coordination of the Muğla Governorship.

Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık states that the area has been made ready for night museology with the new lighting and that cultural and social activities such as concerts can be held in the theatre.

This development has the potential to transform Tlos from merely a restored archaeological structure into a cultural infrastructure that can be used at different times in the tourism economy.

Original stones were used as much as possible in the restoration

The restoration of the Tlos theatre is not a newly started project.

The excavation documents of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism indicate that in 2023, repair works were carried out on the seating areas and walls of the theatre, and the blocks whose original positions were determined were documented and numbered through photogrammetry.

Excavation Head Prof. Dr. Taner Korkut also stated in a previous statement to Anadolu Agency that priority was given to using the theatre's own materials in the restoration and that nearly all of the structure was attempted to be restored with its original stones.

This approach is significant.

The need to preserve original materials while making the historical structure reusable for tourism and events brings very different technical boundaries than the rehabilitation of a modern event venue.

The technical capacity of the solar energy system has not been disclosed

The striking aspect of the new project is that the lighting is provided by the solar energy system.

However, public statements do not include:

installed power,
number of panels,
battery capacity,
annual electricity production,
investment cost
and connection model to the grid.

Therefore, it is not possible to calculate how much electricity savings the project will provide or to what extent it will reduce carbon emissions.

At this stage, the verifiable point is that solar energy is utilized for theatre lighting.

This distinction is important in sustainability communication. Saying "renewable energy is used" is a supported statement; quantifying an unmeasured carbon saving is not.

The main economic change could be night usage

From a tourism management perspective, the most interesting outcome of the solar energy system may be at a point different from the electricity bill.

Lighting provides the opportunity to extend the usage hours of the archaeological site.

While most heritage sites accept visitors during the day, especially in the summer:

high temperatures,
long walks under the sun,
crowding during lunchtime

can complicate the visitor experience.

Evening visits create a different time frame.

This can also extend the duration of the surrounding tourism economy's active period.

Night museology could reorganize the visitor's day

If a museum or ancient city in a destination closes at 6:00 PM, tourists mostly plan their evenings around restaurants, bars, or hotels.

If the archaeological site is accessible in the evening, the program can change.

The visitor can:

spend time at the beach during the day,
go to Tlos in the evening,
have dinner in the area after the visit
and create a longer destination experience.

This situation could significantly increase the duration of visits that is important in the tourism economy.

However, since regular night visiting hours for Tlos have not yet been announced, it should be noted that this is not a realized result but an opportunity created by the new infrastructure.

An 8,500-seat theatre could create an event economy

The capacity of the theatre is also significant.

The governorship mentions a structure of approximately 8,500 seats. Previous statements from the excavation presidency indicated the capacity as approximately 8,000 people; the difference is likely due to rounding in capacity estimates.

If such a venue opens to controlled cultural events:

concerts,
theatre,
festivals,
special cultural programs

can be developed.

The hospitality sector's equivalent of this is not just ticket revenue.

Event visitors can also utilize:

accommodation,
transportation,
restaurants,
beverages
and other local services.

However, it is not correct to conclude that the entire capacity can be used for modern events. The actual event capacity in archaeological sites is additionally determined according to conservation, evacuation, security, and technical infrastructure conditions.

Cultural tourism is already generating significant visitors in Muğla

According to the statement from the Muğla Governorship, the heritage sites and ancient cities in the city hosted approximately 1.3 million visitors in 2025.

This figure shows that cultural heritage is not a marginal product in the region's tourism economy.

Muğla is generally associated with:

Bodrum,
Marmaris,
Fethiye,
Datça

as sea tourism destinations, but ancient cities like Tlos can generate different travel motivations.

One of the advantages of cultural tourism for businesses is that it can be consumed at different hours and periods compared to summer beach demand.

Why is culture important in the goal of year-round tourism?

The Muğla Governorship also relates the Tlos project to the goal of spreading tourism over 12 months.

This goal is particularly important for resort and seasonal businesses.

Reasons for visits that can be created outside of summer intensity include:

archaeology,
gastronomy,
nature,
health,
sports
and cultural events

can help hotels stay open for longer periods.

No single cultural area alone extends the season.

However, when there are enough products connected within the destination, the visitor's obligation to come "only for a summer holiday" may decrease.

Tlos is not just a single structure

The completion of the theatre does not mean that the restoration works in the ancient city have ended.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Future Heritage Project continues throughout the year in Tlos.

Previous programs also planned the restoration of structures such as the council building, the Great Bath, the Gymnasium Bath, and the Temple of Kronos. Works in the stadium and surrounding shops are targeted to be completed by 2026.

This situation is significant for the destination.

As the visitor's experience spreads across multiple restored structures instead of a single "photo point," the time spent in the ancient city may also increase.

Conservation limits in event usage are critical

The reuse of restored ancient theatres as performance venues can create an impressive tourism product.

However, there must be limits to commercial usage.

In concerts and events:

stage loads,
sound systems,
lighting equipment,
wiring,
visitor traffic,
catering and waste

can create additional pressure on the archaeological structure.

Therefore, the goal should not be to "fill 8,500 people as often as possible."

The number and capacity of events should be planned in accordance with conservation standards.

Where is the opportunity for hospitality businesses?

Tlos can become part of new packages for hotels and travel businesses around Fethiye and Seydikemer.

For example, instead of just a day trip to the ancient city for a resort guest:

an evening visit to Tlos,
local restaurant experience,
guided cultural program
and event

can be offered together.

The advantage of this is a higher value product for the tour operator, additional customers for the local restaurant, and diversification of the destination experience for the hotel.

This model can be more easily sold, especially if night museology has regular and predictable hours.

Stafflink's Opinion

In our view, the most important innovation in the Tlos project is not the solar panel itself; it is the idea of extending the usage duration of archaeological heritage with a more environmentally sensitive energy infrastructure.

Spreading tourism over 12 months is not possible just by advertising more in the winter months. The destination needs to produce new products that can truly be consumed during the night, spring, and autumn periods.

The restored theatre of Tlos is one of the infrastructures that can provide this.

However, success should be measured not by how often the 8,500-seat capacity is filled, but by how much quality visitation, events, and local economic value can be generated without compromising conservation limits.