Star Wars Filming Locations in Tunisia
By: Mariem Hamdi / Arab America Contributing Writer
Frequented by the camera crew of Lucasfilms, Southern Tunisia is one of the most prolific Star Wars locations. If you are a fan of Star Wars movies, you should know that four of them were partially filmed in Tunisia. From Matmata where “Luke Skywalker” grew up to Djerba where Obi-Wan Kanobi’s house is.
Many of the Star Wars sites in Tunisia are open and preserved for visitors and tourists, people from all around the world go to see where Luke and Anakin Skywalker grew up and lived.
Matmata: The Lars Homestead, Luka Skywalker’s home. His home is now Hotel Sidi Driss where you can visit and stay in. The set decorations are still in place. One of the multiple underground troglodyte dwellings that Matmata has is the one featured in both Star wars Episodes, IV: A New Hope and II: Attack of the Clones.
Tataouine: Mos Espa Slave Quarters
Starting with the name, It is more familiar than Tunisia since the name Tatooine was the first planet introduced in Star Wars Episodes, IV: A New Hope. Tatooine has Ksar Ouled Soltane and Ksar Hadada where the grain storage was used as the slave quarters of Mos Espa where The Skywalkers lived in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.”
Tozeur: Star Wars Canyon
The desert of Tozeur, known as the Yardangs is where Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul fought against each other during the Battle of Naboo in Star Wars “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” You can also visit Sidi Bouhlel Canyon, which appeared in 9 different scenes from the original “Star Wars” movie.
Djerba: Obi Wan-Kenobi’s house
Heading to the southern coast of Tunisia, The “Dream Island”, Djerba was used for many of the locations of the movies. In Sidi Jemour, you will recognize Obi-Wan Kanobi’s house in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.”
In Tunisia, “Star Wars” fans join organized tours that take them to all the important locations of Star Wars, where they discover other beautiful and breathtaking spots as well. So, take a chance and sign yourself up for one of those tours.
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