It’s been almost half a century since the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977. Although it was received with a lot of scepticism before its release, A New Hope and the subsequent movies in the franchise revolutionised the cinematographic industry and culture.
Part of the movies’ charm lies in the little use of CGI. When A New Hope came out the available technology was not that advanced, but even as the later films were shot, George Lucas insisted on using as little CGI as possible, to maintain a certain authenticity of the pictures.
Below are 8 destination that seem from a galaxy far, far away, but are, in fact, right here on Earth.
1. Tatooine –Tunisia
The Tunisian island of Djerba was the primary filming location for the planet of Tatooine, which as named after a Tunisian town of Tataouine. The island houses the filming site for the famous Mos Eisley cantina, while back on mainland Tunisia, young Luke’s home is welcoming visitors. The Hotel Sidi Idriss is a traditional Berber subterranean house where the shots of the Tatooine house were filmed.
2. Naboo – Lake Como, Italy
Several scenes from the planet of Naboo were filmed at Lake Como, in Italy. One of the best parts is Villa del Balbianello, where Padmé and Anakin’s secret wedding was filmed for Attack of the Clones. The 18th century mansion is opened for visitors and even weddings, for those really hardcore fans, or simply for those who want to have the magical scenery in the background of their wedding photos.
3. The forest moon of Endor – Redwood National and State Parks, California
The scenes from the forest moon of Endor, from Return of the Jedi, were filmed in California, in the redwood forests of national and state parks. Humboldt, Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek, and Grizzly Creek were among the filming locations for the adorable, yet war ready, little Ewoks’ home planet.
4. Crait – Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over more than 10,000 square kilometres. The remnants of some lakes that existed around 40,000 years ago were the ideal filming location for the world of Crait, where the Resistance set up an outpost in The Last Jedi.
5. Yavin 4 – Tikal National Park, Guatemala
In A New Hope, the Millennium Flacon is shown flying over Yavin 4, one of the moons of the gas giant Yavin, to reach the rebel base. Visitors of the Tikal National Park in Guatemala can enjoy the same view from the top of Temple IV of the Mayan ruins scattered across the park.
6. Takodana – Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire, UK
A lush green world in the galaxy’s Western Reaches, scenes of the mystical woodlands of Takodana, from The Force Awakens, were filmed in ancient forest of Puzzlewood, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
7. Temple Island – Skellig Michael, Ireland
After Luke’s failure to handle Ben Solo, he exiled himself to the Temple Island, on the planet Ahch-To, where the Jedi Order was founded and home to the first Jedi Temple. The island scenes were filmed in Skellig Michael, a 6th century monastery settlement, about 14km off the coast of County Kerry in Ireland. The settlement can be visited today, but is only reachable by boat.
8. Hoth – Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Norway
The planet of Hoth housed the Rebel Alliance’s Echo Base in The Empire Strikes Back. Scenes from the snow and ice planet were shot at the Hardangerjøkulen Glacie, near the isolated mountain village of Finse, in Norway. Visiting the glacier is only possible through guided tours.
