For less than a minute, daylight vanished across packed viewing sites, leaving spectators stunned by a spectacle that quickly felt like another sunset.
On the evening of August 12, a rare total solar eclipse passed over northern Spain and part of Iceland. Millions gathered to witness Western Europe’s first total eclipse in 27 years. When the Moon completely covered the Sun, the sky darkened rapidly, and after totality ended, viewers saw an effect resembling a second sunset.
In Spain, rural areas along the eclipse’s path were mainly chosen for viewing. Authorities set up special viewing sites and deployed substantial police forces to maintain order and ensure fire safety.
Total Darkness Over Northern Spain
In Buitrago de Lozoya, a rural area north of Madrid, people applauded and rose from their seats when the sky began to darken at around 8:30 p.m. local time. Baily’s beads – bright points of sunlight that appear along the edge of the Moon during a total eclipse – could also be seen on the horizon.
Totality lasted less than a minute, but according to eyewitnesses, the experience was extraordinary.
It is astonishing how, after totality, the colors return gradually – first red, then blue – like at sunrise and sunset, and it completely tricks the brain.
– economist Diego Fernandez
Madrid resident Rafael Jiménez described what he saw as a scene from science fiction. During the eclipse, garden sprinklers turned on, leaving those present soaking wet.
It was an absurd scene; we even got drenched when the garden sprinklers came on. And then, just like that, we were watching the sunset again.
– Rafael Jiménez
Former Queen guitarist Brian May was among those watching the phenomenon in Spain. He traveled to an observatory in the province of Teruel and described the eclipse’s climax.
That’s it, the Sun is disappearing. It’s incredible.
– Brian May
Safety Measures and Fire Risk
Spanish authorities expected up to 6 million visitors in rural areas in the north of the country and on the Balearic Islands. The eclipse took place during one of the year’s most dangerous periods for wildfires: that day, emergency services were battling several blazes, including a major fire in southern Andalusia.
Those deployed to safeguard eclipse viewing sites included:
25,000 police officers;
nearly 100 planes and helicopters;
emergency services and fire units in areas with large crowds.
In the city of Peñíscola, Valencia, a small fire broke out near a viewing site. The blaze started in one vehicle and spread to another 33 vehicles. Emergency crews, including aircraft, brought the fire under control.
As of late on August 12, there had been no reports of any wildfires that may have been caused by people who came to observe the eclipse.
The Eclipse in Iceland
In Iceland, clouds obstructed the view, especially in central Reykjavík. However, residents and tourists in the far west of the country were able to see the celestial event thanks to breaks in the cloud cover.
Totality reached Iceland’s west coast at approximately 5:44 p.m. GMT. In the country’s westernmost areas, complete darkness lasted up to 2 minutes and 13 seconds.
The country, with a population of around 400,000, welcomed up to 80,000 visitors. Protective glasses for safely viewing the Sun in Reykjavík sold out several days before the event.
It was as if an entire day had happened all at once, and I got goosebumps because it made us think about the fleeting nature of life, how different time can be, and how everything depends on your perspective.
– lawyer Eduarda Ortiz
The eclipse attracted not only casual viewers but also so-called eclipse chasers – enthusiasts who travel the world to be in the path of totality.
Gema, 43, who did not give her surname, said after watching the eclipse in Buitrago de Lozoya that what she saw exceeded all her expectations.
Everyone tells you about it, but it is more beautiful than you imagine.
– Gema
The Iberian Peninsula last witnessed a total solar eclipse in 1912. The next total eclipse over the region is expected on August 2, 2027, and an annular eclipse will take place in January 2028, completing the so-called “Iberian eclipse trio.”