Hotel Sidi Driss | Matmata

Hotel Sidi Driss is a traditional Berber troglodyte dwelling turned hotel, located in the village of Matmata in southern Tunisia. It is world-famous primarily because it served as the filming location for Luke Skywalker’s home on Tatooine in the original Star Wars trilogy. However, beyond its cinematic legacy, it is a remarkable example of traditional underground architecture and Berber culture.

Historical and Cultural Background

Hotel Sidi Driss was originally a family home, carved into the soft sandstone cliffs typical of the region. It follows the traditional layout of a Matmata troglodyte dwelling:

Central Courtyards (Houch): The hotel is composed of five courtyards, each serving a different function (guest rooms, kitchen, restaurant, etc.). One of the courtyards—the most iconic—is where the Star Wars filming took place.

Underground Rooms: The rooms are hollowed out horizontally from the walls of the courtyards. Thick earthen walls insulate them, providing a natural form of air conditioning.

It was converted into a hotel in the 1960s, before it became widely known through Star Wars.

Connection to Star Wars

In 1976, the production team of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope chose this location to represent the home of Luke Skywalker on the planet Tatooine. George Lucas was looking for places with a distinctly “alien” appearance that could pass for a desert world, and the troglodyte dwellings of Matmata were ideal.

The interior courtyard of the home is seen in several scenes with Luke and his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen.

The set decorations used for the film were basic and left in place after filming ended. They were removed for a time but later recreated and restored for the filming of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 2000, when the hotel was once again used as a filming location for Tatooine.

Today, the Star Wars-themed courtyard features painted walls, sci-fi-style props, and arches reminiscent of the original film sets. These are not traditional features of the original home, but rather reconstructions maintained to appeal to visitors.

Visiting the Hotel

Accommodations: The hotel remains operational and offers very basic but authentic accommodations. Rooms are simple, carved into the rock, with minimal amenities. Bathrooms are shared.

Dining: There is a small restaurant on-site that serves traditional Tunisian food. One of the dining rooms was also used in the film.

Tourism: Many visitors come not to stay overnight, but just to tour the property and see the Star Wars filming locations. It has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the franchise.

Significance

Hotel Sidi Driss is not only a piece of movie history but also a living example of indigenous architecture and adaptation to the harsh desert climate. It bridges two worlds: the deep traditions of the Berber people and modern pop culture mythology. Its continued preservation reflects the intersection of heritage tourism and global cinema.

Despite its fame, the hotel retains a rustic charm and remains a modest, low-budget destination. Its importance lies in its authenticity—both as a cultural site and as a place where Hollywood made history using real-world locations with minimal artificial alteration.