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Five days of demonstrations and riots have turned the streets of Barcelona into running battle zones between police and masked demonstrators. While much of the disruption is taking place in proximity to government buildings, Plaza Catalonia which is part of the famed Ramblas, is an identified point of congregation for protestors.
An estimated 500,000 took to the streets in peaceful protest on 18 October in support of Catalonia independence and in disagreement with the prison sentences given to leaders of the pro-independence movement by the Spanish government.
As night fell and the vast majority of the peaceful demonstrators disbursed and returned home, violence began to break out. Masked demonstrators clashed with police in what is described as a moving battle.
The evening of 19 October appears to be evolving to another night off skirmishes between the Catalonia protesters and the police, based on media reports.
TRAVEL ALERT - Barcelona
The U.S. Embassy (Embassy alert’s page) advised their constituents as to the presence of demonstrations at the Barcelona Airport which were causing flight disruptions.
According to CruiseMapper as many as half a dozen different cruise ships will be in port 19-20 October. Tourist wishing to walk the Ramblas which runs from Plaza Catalonia down to the Columbus Statue where the cruise ship terminal is located should pay close attention to local dynamics.
Personal safety MUST trump touristic desire.
The Barcelona Tourism office is open from 0800-2400 daily and can be reached by phone at +34.932853834 and English speaking personnel are available.
