The Community of Madrid will set up 51 observation points and will hold a festival in Buitrago del Lozoya on the occasion of the solar eclipse that will take place on August 12, a historic astronomical phenomenon that had not been seen from the Iberian Peninsula since 1905. It can be observed in 93 localities distributed between the northern and eastern areas, from 7:30 p.m., reaching its total vision around 8:32 p.m., coinciding with sunset.
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This was pointed out during an informative breakfast by the Minister of Presidency, Justice and Local Administration of the Community of Madrid, Miguel Ángel García Martín, who highlighted that the region is in the band for a total observation of this event, “especially turning the Sierra Norte into a privileged enclave, both for the duration and for the visibility conditions offered by its skies and open landscapes” and recalled that the one on August 12 will be the first of an exceptional sequence of eclipses visible from Spain, which will continue with another total in August 2027 and an annular one in January 2028.
Eclipse Festival in Buitrago de Lozoya
García Martín commented that, on the occasion of this celebration, the regional Government, in collaboration with the Buitrago del Lozoya City Council, has organized the ‘Eclipse Festival’ in the Riosequillo Pools Recreational Area, where Madrid residents will be able to enjoy informative, scientific, educational, cultural and family activities. In addition, it will feature food trucks, music, children’s games and workshops throughout the day.
The minister pointed out that access to this space will be free, with prior registration through the City Council’s website until the maximum capacity of 3,000 people is reached, and added that tickets can be requested starting tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m.
The Community of Madrid has organized outreach and observation activities in 51 municipalities in Madrid, in addition to Buitrago del Lozoya, with the participation of monitors and experts. With the aim of facilitating the understanding of this phenomenon, informative leaflets have been prepared and will be distributed among attendees at these points.
Likewise, the regional Executive will make a total of 36,500 approved glasses available to citizens “to guarantee safe observation of the phenomenon”. These units are in addition to the 20,000 glasses that were distributed during the ‘Madrid is Science’ fair and in various educational centers and institutions in the region.
Security and transport reinforcements
García Martín commented that, from the Madrid 112 Security Agency (ASEM 112), several actions have been planned to guarantee the protection of citizens. These include the activation of the Territorial Civil Protection Plan of the Community of Madrid (Platercam) in operational situation 0; the reinforcement of 112 resources and the Fire Department of the Community of Madrid; the availability of communications through the Tetra network in all municipalities, to ensure communication between all bodies involved in the security device; the carrying out of prior communication tests at observation points; and, in addition, the involvement of the Civil Protection Volunteer Groups (Amvpc) has been requested.
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Likewise, due to the high-risk period caused by high temperatures, the regional Government spokesperson called on citizens to “take extreme precautions” and “actively” collaborate in environmental protection and fire prevention.
Therefore, García Martín asked that flora and fauna be respected, avoiding causing disturbance or damage to natural habitats; not throwing cigarette butts, matches or any lit or flammable object, and collecting waste generated in the natural environment, especially glass, cans or containers.
Likewise, the Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM) will reinforce the lines with the highest demand planned for this day by connecting the capital with the areas of greatest interest for observation, such as 191 (Madrid-Buitrago del Lozoya) and 193 (Madrid-Pedrezuela-Venturada), both departing from the Plaza de Castilla Interchange.
The minister pointed out that, in these locations, there will be staff in charge of helping to streamline passenger traffic at these points, “informing them about how and where to catch buses depending on their destination”.
Finally, the service provided on lines 725 (Madrid-Miraflores) and 726 (Madrid-Guadalix-Navalafuente) in the M-607 corridor will be intensified, as well as line 691 (Madrid-Valdesquí/Navacerrada), which connects with Puerto de Navacerrada. In the Henares Corridor, the device will also include lines 223 (Madrid-Alcalá de Henares) and 222 (Madrid-Meco).
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