Excavations in the Yakaköy neighbourhood, led by Prof. Dr. Taner Korkut of Akdeniz University, are ongoing year-round. After completing restoration of Tlos’ theatre, attention has now turned to the bustling stadium level and the shops that lined its streets.

Tlos is part of the UNESCO Tentative List for the “Ancient Cities of the Lycian Civilization.” Once the shops are fully cleared, the city’s main street will be revealed, complete with restored columns, giving visitors a glimpse into life nearly 2,000 years ago.

“The stadium was more than a sports arena,” says Prof. Dr. Korkut. “It was a multi-purpose space. On one side there’s a seating stand, while shops opened onto the stadium and the central agora. The city’s earliest street runs along this level. During the Early Roman Period, the Kroneia Festivals—celebrations that brought all of Lycia together—were held here. By the end of the 2nd century AD, a large pool was built in the centre for theatrical performances, including naval battle shows.”

Tlos endured a devastating earthquake in 141 AD, which destroyed many of its structures. “The southern half of the stadium collapsed and became unusable,” Korkut explains. “Yet the site continued to serve as a stage for performances and public events.”

Recent work has uncovered a wide main street, about eight metres across, bordered by a 1.5-metre pavement. Stone slabs still line the street, giving a tangible sense of the city’s ancient life. Archaeologists have also begun restoring the arched shops, each around 30 square metres, with facades and columned galleries reconstructed for visitors to explore.

The restoration project is part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage for the Future programme and is expected to be completed by 2026. When finished, Tlos will offer an unparalleled window into the past, showcasing its vibrant streets, bustling shops, and the grandeur of public spaces where Lycian communities once gathered.

Tlos is not just an archaeological site—it’s a story coming back to life, one stone at a time.

Source: Gerçek Fethiye

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