Photos: Total solar eclipse darkens skies across Europe

On Wednesday, Europe witnessed a rare total solar eclipse that hadn't graced the continent since 1999. Crowds gathered across various locations, eager to witness this celestial event. From St Petersburg to Berlin, millions outside the path of totality still experienced a unique version of the eclipse. In Britain, more than 90% of the sun was obscured at the eclipse's peak, leaving only a narrow strip of light visible.

In Reykjavik, Iceland, totality arrived despite cloudy conditions, drawing cheers from the hundred-strong crowd. Further west, totality reached Iceland's western coast at about 5.44pm local time, lasting up to 2 minutes and 13 seconds. The shadow continued across the North Atlantic, reaching Spain shortly before sunset.

The moon's shadow crossed northwestern Spain around 8.28pm, bringing places such as A Coruna and Bilbao into totality. In Buitrago de Lozoya, north of Madrid, totality lasted barely a minute. Spectators in Medinaceli gathered on a Roman-era hilltop well before the event, while others carried chairs and umbrellas to open viewing areas.

The eclipse began in northeastern Portugal before reaching Spain's Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands at sunset. This was not the end for Spain, as another total solar eclipse will cross the country on August 2, 2027, followed by an annular eclipse on January 26, 2028.