SW RECCE SITE FOUND: HANOUT EL-AOUINA

13 May 2022

In partnership with DMO Djerba, Galaxy Tours CEO (Davin Anderson) discovered on 13 May 2022 a “lost” Star Wars recce site in Houmt Souk on the Tunisian island of Djerba. The search to identify this site, known locally as Hanout el-Aouina, spanned more than two years.

Site: Hanout el-Aouina workshop
GPS: 33.882018, 10.855994
Location: Houmt Souk, Djerba (Tunisia)
Description: Abandoned wool weaving workshop (18th century CE)
Star Wars scouted set concept: Mos Eisley | Cantina (exterior)

The recce photo that led to this discovery was taken by John Barry (production designer) during the mid-November 1975 Star Wars location scout to Tunisia. This is the first Star Wars recce site identified in Houmt Souk, the Djerban commercial center.

Despite the placement of a large electrical utility box near the front of the Hanout el-Aouina building, Barry’s recce photo vantage point can still be replicated (more or less) by fans.