Ksar Haddada

It is very obvious that this is the place where some scenes from Star Wars, Episode I, were filmed.

However, once inside, the actual film locations were very hard to find.

Like the other ksour, there were many ghorfas. However, these wern't just along the outside wall with an empty square in the middle. They were also many of them inside the square, turning the ksar into a small walled city.

Many parts were just ruins.

Other parts were being re-restored. This ksar had been turned into a hotel, which closed, and is now being restored to become a hotel again. One wonders whether there are enough tourists visiting the country to support so many new hotel developments.

After some searching, the filming location was found. This is where the scene where Qui-Gon Jinn was talking to Shmi (Anakin's mother) was filmed. It was especially hard to find, because they've boarded up the archways and added a new arch with the two lamps on it. Don't they realise how significant this place is?

The camera to film the previous scene would have been placed under this archway, where the stone bar counter is now.

This is the same location from a different angle. This is the location where Qui-Gon Jinn stands to talk with Obi-Wan through the com-link.

Another angle of the location, looking out over the countryside outside the Ksar.

The mandatory gift shop on the way out. Next: we've had our fill of ksour, so it's on to see some abandoned Berber villages.