( CNN ) -- Deep in Tunisia 's Sahara desert is an abandoned settlement , part submerged by the sand , somehow alien , yet strangely familiar . The surrounding landscape looks like it 's from another world , in a galaxy far , far away -- which is why movie director George Lucas chose it as a location for filming parts of his blockbuster `` Star Wars '' series . The Tunisian Sahara was transformed into Tatooine -- the barren planet with twin suns that was the birthplace of Anakin Skywalker , otherwise known as Darth Vader . At the Tunisian government 's request , the lavish set for Anakin 's home town , Mos Espa , remains intact -- a beacon in the desert . Read more : Stargazing in the desert . The set of 20 buildings , situated northwest of the city of Tozeur , covers an area of around 10,000 square meters and remains a pilgrimage destination for avid `` Star Wars '' fans from around the world . Former rally driver Tahar Karya is an expert at tackling the Sahara 's sand dunes in his four-by-four . He was George Lucas 's personal driver during the filming in Tunisia and has a personal attachment to the set . He believes that Lucas 's decision to use the area in his film was a great boon for the region . `` More than 1,500 background actors were employed . Agencies and hotels also benefited , '' he says . `` Over a period of two-and-a-half months , ( Lucas ) brought activities to the region and beneficial economic activity . We hope he comes back here again . '' The crew faced difficulties dealing with the weather in the Sahara . Temperatures reached 135 degrees Fahrenheit ( 57 C ) during filming , then production was slowed by a rare summer rainstorm . Still , facing scheduling and budget constraints , Lucas was able to get the scenes he needed , which appear in `` Star Wars '' movies `` The Phantom Menace '' and `` Attack of the Clones . '' Read this : Hollywood classics get African photo remake . But for those who want to experience this important piece of film history , time is running out . Although the set has withstood the elements for more than a decade , the desert 's sand dunes are moving to engulf the fictional town . `` Ever since they finished the part of the movie shot in 2003 , sand dunes have surrounded the film set from every side . They should not have allowed this to happen , '' says Tahar . A team of scientists has tracked the movement of a large sand dune , which has already started to cover the set . it is moving at a rate of 4 cm per day and It wo n't be long before this alien town is buried beneath the sand . Like any desert Oasis , this one too will soon disappear . Each day tourists -- mostly from Europe -- arrive by the car load . Trips to the abandoned film set are included in hotel vacation packages and it 's one of the few things that will draw visitors into the baking-hot desert . What really matters to Tahar is that the tourists keep coming , especially because the country is struggling to rebuild its economy after its 2011 revolution . `` Tunisia is a very beautiful and safe country , '' he says . `` I advise the whole world to come visit Tunisia . Tunisia is a country of security , comfort , and stability ... Besides , in Tunisia there are more than 300 days of sunlight . This is a country where life is good ! '' As the sun beats down on the alien homeland , Tahar says he is proud to have been part of something iconic . But fans who want to visit Mos Espa will need to act soon , before the Sahara Desert swallows it up .
George Lucas filmed parts of his `` Star Wars '' films in the Tunisian Sahara Desert . The film crew left the set for the alien town of Mos Espa intact . The set is slowly being engulfed by a moving sand dune . Tourists need to move quickly if they want to see this piece of film history .