SW RECCE SITE FOUND: BOUREGBA MOSQUE

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 Sedouikech on the Tunisian island of Djerba. The search to identify Bouregba Mosque as a franchise recce site—the second such discovery on the same day—spanned more than two years.

Site: Bouregba Mosque
GPS: 33.746187, 10.920452
Location: Sedouikech, Djerba (Tunisia)
Description: Ibadi mosque complex complete with historic wool workshop (19th 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 in Tunisia. Barry’s photo appears to have been taken from inside a vehicle, suggesting only a pass-by stop at the Bouregba Mosque complex. The focus of the photo seems to be the wool workshop situated between the mosque and cemetery, which matches the interest given to the Hanout el-Aouina building in Houmt Souk during the same recce.

Although perimeter walls and fence lines restrict access to the Bouregba Mosque complex for visitors, Barry’s recce photo vantage point can still be roughly replicated. Expansions to the complex limit full view of the wool workshop from the vantage point.