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Editors' PicksStyle & TravelThings to Do

The Abandoned Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia; Between Fantasy & Reality

By Nadia Ben Hamouda December 19, 2020
Written by Nadia Ben Hamouda December 19, 2020
Ong Jmal Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia
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Tunisia – Living the “Star Wars” Life. The Star Wars Film sets are visible in Tunisian desert nearly four decades after the first film was filmed.

The south of Tunisia is full of beautiful sites like the multiple oases located in Tozeur and Gabes, the Ksour in Tataouine as well as the beautiful Mides Valley in Tozeur, but one of the most famous attractions of the region is the Star Wars film sets located in different governorates of the south.

Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.
Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.
In the films, Tatooine is a scorching planet warmed by two suns – making the unforgiving Tunisian desert the perfect place to film.

Tunisia was used as a filming location for the six first Star Wars movies expect for the fifth. From Chott El Jerid to Djerba, the filming took place in seven main locations dispersed throughout various regions and governorates.

Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata – Star Wars Location

  • Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia
  • Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia
  • Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia
  • Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia
Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata. One of the Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.

The interior of the Lars Homestead was filmed in Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata, originally built by The Berbers in the traditional Troglodyte style.

Chott El Jerid, Tunisia – Star Wars Location

Located near Nefta, Chott El Jerid was used as the Tatooine desert and the exterior of The Lars Homestead where Luke Skywalker grew up. Till today, you can find a weirdly shaped igloo standing in the middle of the Chott.

  • Chott el-Jerid, Lars Homestead (Star Wars)
  • Chott el-Jerid, Lars Homestead (Star Wars)
Star Wars Sets in Chott El Jerid, Tunisia.

This set was first built for the first trilogy but was later renovated multiple times by the government and later on by a group of young volunteers. It is accessible by 4×4 otherwise it will take up to 30 minutes walking form the main road.

Ong Jmal & Mos Espa – Star Wars Film Sets

In the heart of Tozeur desert, Ong Jemel was used as a location to shoot multiple scenes because of the unique shape of the famous rock ressembling a camel’s neck.

  • Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.
  • Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.
  • Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.
  • Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.
Ong Jmal & Mos Espa Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.

 A few kilometres away from Ong jemel, the set where the exterior scenes of Mos Espa were filmed is still preserved in good condition. You can roam the streets of Mos Espa and wander around the surreal buildings of the set. The main gate and the moisture vaporators are still standing despite the harsh climate.

Ksar Medenine, Ksar Haddada & Ksar Wled Soltane

  • Ksar Medenine, Tunisia.
  • Ksar Wled Soltane, Tunisia.
  • Ksar Haddada; Tunisia.
  • Ksar Wled Soltane, Tunisia.
Ksar Medenine, Ksar Haddada & Ksar Wled Soltane. Star Wars Film Sets in Tunisia.

The Berber Ksour located in Tataouine and Medenine were used as the sets of the Slave Quarters Row of Mos Espa where Anakin Skywalker lived in the prequel trilogy.

Sidi Bouhlel – Star Wars Film Location

Often referred to as “The Star Wars Canyon” because of the amount of filming done there, the canyon was used as the location of The Juntland Wastes in the movies.

  • Inside of Sidi Bouhlel. Photo by Panegyrics of Granovetter on Flickr
  • Jawas capturing Artoo. Image ©Disney/Lucasfilm
Sidi Bouhlel Star Wars Film Locations in Tunisia.

Nine important scenes were shot in this location including the first meeting between Luke Skywalker and Ben Kenobi.

Djerba

Three important Star Wars film locations are found in the island.

Some of the Star Wars film locations found in the Island of Djerba.

The set of Mos Eisley Cantina is located in Ajim; a former bakery, now in ruins, was the exact location of the set.

Sidi Jemmour was used as the set for Tosche Station of Anchorhead. This might not a recognisable location because it was only used in deleted scenes.

Ben’s Hermitage appeared only in one movie; it was where Ben Kenobi resided in Tatooine.

Many words and names in the world of Star Wars were inspired by Berber and Arabic names like the desert planet Tatooine and its moons Chennini, Ghomrassen and Guermessa, Jerba which is an animal found on the planet, Nefta who is a humanoid male and the Tozeer System.

These locations and the impact they left on those regions are still present today as many locals are making a living out of tours of these locations and selling local products to visitors.

The original sets, using buildings that were already there as well as props such as the vaporators, can provide enjoyment for all the family.

If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Carthage Magazine, leave a comment below or head over to our Facebook page. You may also message us via this page.

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Nadia Ben Hamouda
Nadia Ben Hamouda

Nadia is a second year Masters student in Cross Cultural Studies passionate about art, music and literature. She is an activist deeply interested in social and environmental causes.

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