The seven official viewing spots for the eclipse in Aragon: for 70,000 people and giant screens

Aragon has already finalized the map of major observation points from which it intends to manage one of the most anticipated events of the coming months, at least in terms of astronomy. The Government of Aragon is preparing seven official viewing areas distributed among the locations from which the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, will be visible —an astronomical phenomenon that could attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region.

The measure is part of the extensive plan devised by the regional government to manage an event that, according to some national estimates, could draw up to four million visitors to Aragon. Given this scenario, the strategy involves concentrating a large portion of the visitors in locations specifically prepared for the occasion.

“We don’t know the number of people who are going to come, but it is much better to have them controlled at these observation points than to have them scattered throughout the territory,” explained the Director General of the Interior and Emergencies, Miguel Ángel Clavero , during his appearance in the Cortes on Monday.

A TOTAL OF 70,000 PLACES

Thirteen potential locations were initially considered , but the list was eventually narrowed down to seven after applying criteria such as visibility, eclipse duration, and logistical capacity. Together, these seven sites will be able to accommodate approximately 70,000 people.

The two largest venues will be Calamocha and MotorLand Aragón, in Alcañiz, each with a capacity for 15,000 visitors. Following them will be Monreal del Campo and the Épila industrial park, prepared to accommodate up to 10,000 people . Completing the list are Ariza, Cariñena, and the Javalambre ski resort, with projected capacities of around 5,000 people each. “The effort of the Government of Aragon is significant,” Clavero emphasized.

GIANT SCREENS TO AVOID CHAOS

One of the most striking aspects of the operation will be the installation of giant screens at all official viewing points. The reason for this is to have an alternative plan in case weather conditions prevent viewing the eclipse. “If we have 15,000 people with no backup plan to see the eclipse and a cloud prevents them from observing it , they’re going to want to go somewhere else. And we have to avoid that because that’s the biggest threat,” the Director General of Emergencies pointed out.

SANITARY FACILITIES, SHADE AND SECURITY

Each of the seven locations will also have specific infrastructure to ensure the safety and comfort of attendees. There will be tourist information and outreach areas about the astronomical phenomenon ; first aid stations with ambulances; Civil Protection units; firefighters and personnel from the Infoar operation ; as well as shaded areas under large tents.

The aim is for visitors to be able to spend hours in these spaces without needing to move around and with all basic services provided. The organization will also allow for the concentration of emergency resources and improve the response to any incidents on a day that will take place in the middle of summer, with high temperatures and a high risk of forest fires.

A HISTORIC ECLIPSE

The total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, will be one of the most important astronomical events of the century in Spain. The last total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula took place in 1912 , and the phenomenon will reach its maximum between 8:29 p.m. and 8:31 p.m. “We are facing an unprecedented event this century, the impacts of which we must anticipate so that it can be enjoyed without incident,” Clavero summarized.