JEDHA (Rogue One)

Jedha – Hashemite, Kingdom of Jordan

STARWARS.COM DATABANK – Jedha

MAP

Death_Star_orbitting_Jedha

The desert moon of Jedha was a small moon, located in the Inner Rim. Frosted by a permanent winter that caused a cold climate, with an atmosphere suitable for human habitation.

The ancient world of Jedha was home to one of the first civilizations to explore the
nature of the Force, and was considered a spiritual home of the Jedi. As a result, the moon became a holy land for those who followed the Force and a place that one would go on a pilgrimage.

Jedha - Star Destroyer

Subsequent to the fall of the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic, its successor state–the Galactic Empire–occupied Jedha for possession of the resources that once served the Jedi Order as lightsaber component material. Under the rule of the Empire, the timeworn streets of Jedha were patrolled by stormtroopers and Imperial Assault Hovertanks. The Imperial oppression later led to the formation of a resistance, coordinated by the Rebel veteran Saw Gerrera who preferred brutal tactics. Some time before the Battle of Yavin, Rebel soldiers Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso undertook a mission to Jedha to secure a member of the resistance group.

Jedha_city

The moon was inspired by real life holy cities such as Mecca and Jerusalem. Jedha also has Middle Eastern influences with its narrow market alleyways, desert sands, and Ottoman-inspired architecture.

“If you believe in the Jedi and you believe in the Force, it feels like Jedha is somewhere you should visit in your lifetime.”
―Gareth Edwards

As both Jyn and Cassian land on Jedha in the search for Saw Gerrera there is an impressive landing scene where the U-Wing travels from left to right on screen and lands behind a natural stone arch. However, in my opinion, the shot has been flipped and the U-Wing would be travelling right to left. Using the background rock formation and rocks under the arch for guidance. (0:19 sec from the video above).

Rogue One Jedha arrival

I believe this is the location of that The “cave arch” at Jebel Kharaz in the northern part of the Wadi Rum region. GPS:

29°48’38.7″N 35°27’21.9″E

Wadi-Rum stone arch 1

 

Further research conducted online by myself and with the assistance of site member Sander De Lange, we have found the location for the shooting of Jedha City.

RO film Jedha Rock 1

Looking SSW from the rocks just North West of the French Fortress is the base of the City with a CGI extension to the top. see below, marked RO Jedha arrival.

RO Jedha arrival map

RO Jedha City Rock closer

Not only was the view looking South used for RO but the view North from these rocks as Cassian and Jyn  leave K-2SO with their bags and politely ask him to remain behind. The rock formation behind him are clearly the same.

RO Jedha K-2SO bad to me

RO Jedha K-2SO Google maps sphere

(photo credit to Th Balter, Google Maps sphere).