🚀 In the footsteps of “Star Wars”: 10 real locations from the film
” Star Wars ” is a fantastic movie saga that began its journey back in 1977. The film takes place in the fictional universe of a galaxy far, far away, where valiant Jedi Knights and their allies fight the forces of evil.
At that time, advanced computer technology did not exist. The filmmakers had to try hard to find unique locations on our planet that could serve as prototypes for non-existent worlds. Want to see where the legendary film was filmed? We'll show you some Star Wars locations that everyone can visit.
Settlements and deserts of Tunisia – Planet Tatooine
Most of the action in A New Hope takes place on the desert planet Tatooine, where the main character of the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker, grew up. The necessary places were found in Tunisia, which, by the way, appears as the same planet in all other episodes except the fifth.
The most famous location is the Sidi Idriss Hotel in the city of Matmata, which served as the estate of Owen Lars. All accessories from the film have been preserved to this day, and you can even spend the night in the hotel itself. 20 rooms, a bar and a restaurant are available to guests. Although the interior is completely minimalist, and the rooms are more like caves, everyone can experience for themselves how young Luke lived.
It’s interesting that the entrance to the house itself was filmed separately. The film crew went to the dry lake Chott el-Jerid, where they made a clay hut, similar to some buildings in Tunisia. Over time, the entrance collapsed, but in 2012 it was restored by a group of enthusiasts. Therefore, you can still take memorable photographs today.
On the resort island of Djerba, three were removed from the price, but this is an ordinary desert, which only ardent fans will be interested in. But where you should definitely go is in the vicinity of Tatavin. Director George Lucas borrowed the name of the planet from this town. The village of Ksar Haddada, which is located 30 km north of the city, is considered the most interesting place for tourists . Some of the scenery from the filming was even preserved there.
Hardangerjokulen Glacier, Norway – Planet Hoth
“The Empire Strikes Back” opens with an epic scene on the icy planet of Hoth, where the Rebel base is attacked by Imperial walking tanks. The filmmakers spent a long time looking for a suitable location and even considered the idea of going to the North Pole. However, the Hardangerjokulen glacier in Norway was closer and was able to provide the necessary scenery.
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It is the sixth largest glacier on mainland Norway. In winter, it can easily be reached on skis from the village of Finse. The film crew stayed at the Finse 1222 hotel while working. In it, scenes were filmed in the cave of the ominous creature – the wampa, from where Luke makes his escape using “great power” and a lightsaber. The hotel still houses memorabilia from the filming.
Death Valley National Park, USA – Planet Tatooine
Despite the fact that most of the scenes on the planet Tatooine were filmed in Tunisia, some had to be filmed separately in Death Valley National Park in California, USA. The fact is that there was not enough footage, and the budget did not allow us to return back to Tunisia. The scenes with the droid R2-D2, who is looking for Ben Kenobi and is captured by the Jawas, and Luke racing through the desert on a landspeeder, were filmed there.
Death Valley will be of interest not only to Star Wars fans. First of all, this is a unique geological place with simply incredible landscapes. The park contains many canyons, painted by nature in a variety of colors. The most famous: The Artist's Palette and Golden Canyon. And in the Canyon of Koman and twenty mules they were already filming “Return of the Jedi”, when the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO went to the palace of Jabba the Hutt.
Lake Como and the city of Caserta, Italy – Planet Naboo
Planet Naboo is undoubtedly the most beautiful place in the entire film universe. These are green gardens, lakes with crystal clear water, waterfalls and endless fields. Italy, with its klima volume, was perfect for this role. Iconic scenes from The Clone Wars were filmed at Villa Balbianello on Lake Como, which served as a refuge for Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. There they kissed for the first time and later got married secretly.
By the way, several more epic scenes were filmed in Italy. The Royal Palace of Caserta served as the prototype for Queen Amidala's throne rooms. Council meetings and scenes during the droid attack in The Phantom Menace were filmed inside. Despite the fact that blasters were fired in the film, the palace was not damaged.
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Phuket Island, Thailand – Planet Kashyyyk
The character Chewbacca has been present in the universe from the very beginning, but viewers only saw his home, the planet Kashyyyk, in Revenge of the Sith, the sixth film. When Master Yoda arrives to aid Chewbacca's furry cousins and the battle with the droid army begins, limestone mountains with trees and vines are visible in the background. Similar footage was filmed from the air in Phang Nga Bay near Phuket in Thailand. Later, landscapes from Guilin National Park in China were inserted into the scenes to decorate the already incredible picture.
Tikal National Park, Guatemala – Planet Yavin IV
Tikal National Park in Guatemala consists of approximately 60 thousand hectares of savannas, forests, swamps and ponds. This is a huge home to monkeys, jaguars, pumas and unusual raccoon-like animals – coatimunds, which cannot be found anywhere else. The park also contains four temples and the ruins of the once great city of Tikal of the Mayan civilization.
At 65 meters tall, Temple IV was once considered the tallest structure in the Americas. However, this is not why he gained his fame. It was from its top that one of the episodes of “A New Hope” was filmed. Towards the end of the film, viewers are shown a secret rebel base on the planet Yavin IV. As the Millennium Falcon spacecraft lands, the tops of the other three temples come into view.
Grindelwald, Switzerland – Planet Alderaan
The first time we see the planet Alderaan in A New Hope, it is being destroyed by the Death Star. However, in Revenge of the Sith, it can be seen in more detail during the scene when Bail Organa brings little Princess Leia to his home. While the town they are in is rendered using CGI, the snowy alpine backdrop belongs to the Swiss village of Grindelwald in the Alps.
The charming mountain village is known for its ski slopes in winter, hiking in summer and amazing scenery all year round. This is not only a popular resort for outdoor enthusiasts, but also a base for climbing the northern slope of the Eiger Mountain.
Skellig Michael, Ireland – Planet Ahch-To
Located off the west coast of Ireland, the rocky island of Skellig Michael became instantly famous for scenes in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. This uninhabited island with two peaks was used as the planet Ahch-To, where Rey goes to find Luke Skywalker after years of self-imposed isolation. There, Rey begins her Jedi training.
The very first Jedi temple, the remains of which can be seen in the film, is actually the ancient monastery of St. Michael, built in the late 6th century. The church, chapels, gravestones, monks' cells and 640 stone steps have survived to this day. Frequent guests of the island are ornithologists who watch rare bird species.
Dubrovnik, Croatia – Planet Cantonica
Dubrovnik is perhaps best known as the filming location for King's Landing in Game of Thrones. Thanks to its ancient buildings and streets, it looks more like a medieval town than a fantasy planet in a distant galaxy. The main attraction is the fortress wall, almost 20 meters high and 2 km long, which offers simply stunning views of the city.
The medieval style did not deter the creators of “Star Wars” from using Dubrovnik in “The Last Jedi” as the casino city of Canto Bight. It's there that Finn, Rose, and BB-8 cause a stir with the help of unleashed Fathirs, sullen, horse-like animals. During their escape, the heroes race along a cobbled road that is actually Stradun, the main street of the historical center.
Redwood National Park, USA – Planet Endor
The planet Endor, which can be seen in Return of the Jedi, is actually located in Redwood National Park in California, USA. It was there that the famous speeder chase scenes were filmed. The fictional world is full of green trees, winding paths and furry bears – Ewoks. Of course, the park does not have the same flora and fauna. But it boasts no less fantastic things.
First of all, the tallest trees in the world grow there – sequoias. The main attraction of the park is the Giant Forest. The oldest and tallest specimens are found there, including the tallest tree in the world, 83.8 meters high. Secondly, these are rare red mahogany trees, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.