The 2026 Solar Eclipse

València Innovation Capital, the City of Valencia’s innovation strategy, will open an immersive educational experience at Las Naves on 20 July to mark the total solar eclipse visible from Valencia on 12 August, a historic event not seen there for more than a century. The exhibition uses an interactive route combining science communication, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence to explain how an eclipse occurs, its importance in the development of astronomy and science, and how it can be observed safely. It connects two moments separated by more than 100 years. In 1905, the last total eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula made the north of the Valencian Community a focus of international astronomical research, although weather conditions prevented the phenomenon from being fully recorded. Through immersive technologies, visitors can symbolically complete that eclipse and experience a recreation of totality from a perspective impossible to see with the naked eye. The experience includes a virtual reality journey that shows the eclipse from space and helps explain the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, along with key phenomena associated with totality such as the solar corona, the diamond ring, and Baily’s beads. It also features an installation in which each visitor can become part of the major astronomical expeditions of the early 20th century through a commemorative portrait generated with artificial intelligence. Alongside its interactive elements, the exhibition places strong emphasis on science education and prevention, with content explaining the need to observe the eclipse only with approved protection and offering guidance for enjoying the event without risking eye health. The activity will run from 20 July to 31 August at Las Naves and is aimed at the general public, including families, young people, and organised groups.