Ksar Hadada: the Mos Espa slave quarter, a ksar turned film set
In this ksar converted into a hotel, George Lucas filmed the alleys of Mos Espa's slave quarter in 1997, where Anakin and his mother live. The ghorfas remain, and the place draws fans from all over the world.
- From Djerba
- ≈ 150 km
- Driving time
- ≈ 2 h 15
- Suggested time
- 45 min on site
- Best season
- all year round
About thirty kilometres north of Tataouine, near the Berber town of Ghomrassen, Ksar Hadada is an old fortified granary converted into a hotel in the 1960s. Its vaulted alleys and enfilade of ghorfas caught the eye of George Lucas: in 1997, the crew of The Phantom Menace set up the slave quarter of Mos Espa here, where little Anakin Skywalker lives with his mother Shmi.
What to see
- The filming courtyards: the recognisable alleys of the film, with a few preserved set elements and murals painted since by fans.
- The ghorfas: the vaulted cells on two levels, some converted into rooms, others left in their original state.
- Ghomrassen: the neighbouring town, known for its ruined ksour on the cliff and its doughnuts (ftaïr), famous throughout the country.
A little history
Like Ksar Ouled Soltane, Ksar Hadada stored the harvests of the semi-nomadic tribes of the region. Its conversion into a hotel made it one of the first ksour opened to tourism; the 1997 shoot gave it a second life, and it now features on every Star Wars itinerary in Tunisia.
On our tours
Ksar Hadada is a stop on the Tataouine, Chenini & Berber ksour day and on the Sahara via Tataouine and Chenini day to Ksar Ghilane (entrance included in both). In a private vehicle, we can easily add it to other tours of the South.
Practical information
- From Djerba: about 150 km, 2 h 15 via Medenine and Ghomrassen.
- Best season: all year round.
- What to bring: your lightsaber for the photo.
