Everyone awaits a celestial spectacle, but only in this small town will a double twilight occur

The remote Spanish village of Avellanosa de Muñó, with only about ten permanent residents, is preparing for an extraordinary celestial event: a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.

This eclipse marks a significant astronomical occurrence for Europe, being the first visible from the mainland since 1999 and the first in continental Spain since 1912. Occurring just before sunset, the eclipse is predicted to create a rare "double twilight" phenomenon, described by physicist Dr. María Teresa López Sánchez as akin to "two sunsets in a few minutes."

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like two sunsets in a few minutes

The eclipse's path will pass directly over Avellanosa de Muñó, a village that has seen its population dwindle from around 200 in the 1950s to its current state. The event is prompting a temporary revival, with many former residents and their families returning to witness the spectacle. Raúl Grande Revilla, born in the village 73 years ago, is organizing a group of about 20 people to return.

Locals suggest the best viewing spot is from the caves above the village, offering an unobstructed view of the western horizon. The eclipse will begin around 8:29 PM and last just under two minutes. The timing, combined with the potential for the Perseid meteor shower later that night and minimal light pollution, makes Avellanosa an exceptional location for sky-watching. Hotels in nearby towns are already booked, indicating the widespread interest in this rare event.

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The most important thing for me is that my children and grandchildren feel the same attachment to the village that I feel.