Spectators across Spain and Iceland on Wednesday witnessed a rare total solar eclipse, plunging several regions into darkness.
Spectators across Spain and Iceland on Wednesday witnessed a rare total solar eclipse, plunging several regions into darkness. The phenomenon was noteworthy since this was the first total eclipse the continent of Europe witnessed in 27 years.
According to Reuters, Spain went ahead with deploying a massive police contingent and setting up special viewing spots across rural areas that offered the best views of the spectacle. Many in Buitrago de Lozoya, a rural district north of Madrid, clapped and cheered as they saw the sky dim and Baily’s beads – bright points of sunlight that shine around the edge of the moon during a total eclipse – glistened on the horizon just after 8:30 pm (local time), lasting barely a minute.
The moon completely covers the sun during a total solar eclipse as seen from Arija, Spain, August 12, 2026. Reuters
“It’s impressive how the colours return little by little after totality – first the reds, then the blues – just like at dawn and sunset, totally deceiving your brain,” Diego Fernandez, an economist, told Reuters.
Arija, Spain. Reuters
Less remarkable spectacle in Iceland
It is pertinent to note that Spain got to witness the solar eclipse shortly after a less remarkable spectacle over much of overcast Iceland. However, a cloud break in the far west of the Nordic nation allowed some people to marvel at the celestial phenomenon.
More from World
According to Reuters, the eclipse was hidden behind clouds in central Reykjavik, although the darkness of the totality was still evident. “It was like a whole day just came at once, and I felt goosebumps because it just made us think about … the shortness of life, how time can be different and it depends on your perspective,” lawyer Eduarda Ortiz told the news outlet.
Frenchman Leyssalle Anthony, 39, prepares a telescope to view the total solar eclipse from the beach, in Arija, Spain, August 12, 2026. Reuters
Interestingly, Brian May, former guitarist for the rock band Queen, was among those in Spain who rushed to observe the total eclipse. He travelled to an observatory in Spain’s Teruel province and chronicled the experience on his Instagram profile. “Here we go, the sun is disappearing. It’s amazing,” he said as the eclipse reached its climax and bystanders burst into cheers and applause after a countdown.
In Spain, authorities were expecting up to 6 million visitors in mostly rural areas under the eclipse’s path across the north of Spain and the Balearic Islands. It is important to note that the Iberian Peninsula last witnessed a total solar eclipse in 1912, but another is due on August 2, 2027, and an annular eclipse will follow in January 2028, completing the so-called “Iberian Eclipse Trio”.
A tourist looks at the sunset the day before the solar eclipse, on the Costa da Morte (“Coast of Death”), once considered the end of the world and a traditional destination for pilgrims completing the Camino de Santiago, in northwestern Spain, August 11, 2026. Reuters
Meanwhile, the authorities in Spain saw the event as a chance to showcase its less-travelled regions and draw tourists from its overcrowded beach resorts. Some seized the opportunity to get married, according to local press reports.
With input from Reuters.