In northern Italy, a solar eclipse was visible over the Virgin Maria Church in Vidigulfo, near Pavia. The event, captured by Antonio Calanni of AP, drew attention from observers in different regions.
In Spain, millions gathered across cities and towns to witness a total solar eclipse. People brought chairs and umbrellas to prepare for the event as it began in the early evening. Applause and cheers erupted as darkness fell. This was the first total solar eclipse in Spain in over a century.
Rosa Celiberti, a language teacher, watched from Medinaceli. She remarked on the indescribable experience, saying photos do not compare to witnessing it in person. In northern and central Spain and Portugal, millions enjoyed prime views of the spectacle. Other parts of Europe, such as Greenland and Iceland, also experienced the eclipse.
During totality, when the moon fully covers the sun, the eclipse lasted under two and a half minutes, peaking off Iceland’s west coast. In parts of Spain and Portugal, totality lasted about a minute before sunset. The eclipse concluded over the Mediterranean.
Spanish authorities anticipated an influx of over half a million visitors. Hotel demand surged along the eclipse path. Cities like A Coruña, Bilbao, and Santiago de Compostela saw increased bookings, and rural areas prepared for many visitors. Safety measures were heightened due to high temperatures and recent wildfires.
In Reykjavik, Iceland, clouds did not deter onlookers at Hallgrímskirkja church. Despite rain, the crowd cheered as darkness fell. Many swiftly left after the eclipse concluded.
Special eclipse glasses, essential for safe viewing, sold rapidly throughout Spain. Many stores ran out of stock, with long lines seen in downtown Madrid.
At sea, Sverre Rud, captain of MS Spitsbergen, navigated near Rypefjord in eastern Greenland to provide the best views for his passengers. Enthusiasm was high among passengers, who had been in constant daylight. Rud drew comparisons to a festive atmosphere as excitement built.
Hotel prices spiked in Iceland, especially in Reykjavik. Rooms reached over $1,000 for the night, doubling previous rates. The event marked Iceland’s first total solar eclipse since 1954. Visitors booked accommodations years in advance expecting thousands of tourists to arrive.
Across Britain, people gathered to see an eclipse obscuring over 90% of the sun. In Greenwich Park, people witnessed an eerie gray sky. Veronica Orozco celebrated with champagne, reminiscing about her first eclipse in Venezuela. Aja Lilit, who celebrated her birthday, found the eclipse a reflective moment about one’s place in the universe.