On the Star Wars trail: Matmata and Tataouine
Deep into Tamazight cultural land, this area of South Tunisia is a treasure trove of beautiful things.
From troglodytes houses, deep in the rock, to more rock dwellings, built on different floors, this region shows the resourcefulness of Berber people and it is often overlooked and very underestimated.
Matmata is a fascinating small town located in southern Tunisia, about one hour from Gabes and two hours inland from the island of Djerba.
And if you are a Star Wars nerd like us, you’ll love this area.
Matmata gained international fame when it was featured as the filming location for Anakin Skywalker’s home on Tatooine in the original “Star Wars” movie.
The Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata was used as the set for the Lars Homestead.
Today is a café’/ restaurant/ hotel/ museum with some original photos of the Star Wars set.
Troglodytes dwellings
The Matmata area is also renowned for its unique troglodyte dwellings, which are traditional underground homes carved into the sides of rocky hills. These homes are designed to provide natural insulation against the extreme desert temperatures.
Many of them are visitable, for a donation or minimal fee and they are a must see!
We visited Sahila’s troglodyte home, just outside Matmata and she was very welcoming.
She showed us her house, she offered us a delicious glass of mint and rosemary tea, we spoke a little and she gifted us a bag of freshly picked rosemary.
So lovely!
Tataouine
We kept driving on those beautiful and empty desert mountain roads towards Tataouine.
It is a curvy road, you get some incredible views and hardly any traffic.
It took us around two hours to reach Tataouine, which is a decent size town, lively and busy.
The food options are limited, some pizza take away place here and there, a few little supermarkets and some kebab places. Be warned, they close early!
The name Tataouine means “water source,” and the town was historically an oasis for Berber caravans travelling between Gabes, Fezzan, and the Sudan.
Tataouine is also famous for its troglodyte dwellings, similar to those in Matmata, and its connection to “Star Wars”.
It was in fact in this area that George Lucas set his own Tatooine and some of the sites that we explored were used as Anakin’s home planet.
Ksar Ouled Soltane
It is a fascinating historical site located about 20 kilometers south of Tataouine.
It’s a fortified granary, or ksar, built by the Berbers in the 15th century. The ksar is spread over two courtyards, each surrounded by multi-story vaulted granary cellars called ghorfas. These structures were used to store grain and other goods, providing protection from raiding parties.
Ksar Ouled Soltane was featured in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” as the slave quarters of Mos Espa, where Anakin Skywalker lived as a boy.
There are many Ksars in the area, in different state of conservations. You will definitely need a car to explore around, but it’s certainly worth it!
Chenini
Chenini is a picturesque Berber village located about 18 kilometers from Tataouine.
It’s perched on a hilltop between two ridges, offering stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape.
Chenini is known for its unique troglodyte dwellings, similar to those in Matmata, where homes are carved into the rocky mountainside.
The village also features a fortified granary (ksar), which was built to protect the inhabitants and their goods.
Chenini has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to ancient times. It’s a peaceful and charming destination, perfect for those looking to experience traditional Berber culture and architecture.
Chenini’s exterior desert scenes were also featured in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” and “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.”
And then, we started our two hours driving journey towards beautiful Djerba!
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