Barcelona returned to relative calm after six days of demonstrations against the jailing of separatist leaders left hundreds injured in the tourist hotspot and pro-independence groups demanding new talks with the Spanish government.

Barcelona was burning for a fourth night on Thursday as separatist anger over the sentencing of nine Catalan leaders continued to simmer
Barcelona was burning for a fourth night on Thursday as separatist anger over the sentencing of nine Catalan leaders continued to simmer AFP / LLUIS GENE
A young man jumps over two people covered with a Catalan independence flag as part of an impromptu "People's Olympics" organised by protesters in Barcelona
A young man jumps over two people covered with a Catalan independence flag as part of an impromptu "People's Olympics" organised by protesters in Barcelona AFP / LLUIS GENE

At the Urquinaona square in the city centre dozens of pro-independence activists on Saturday formed a human chain between police and protesters following the previous night's clashes during which nearly 200 people were hurt.

Map of "freedom marches" in Catalonia which will converge in Barcelona Friday, the day of a general strike, after 9 separatists were sentenced to jail terms of up to 13 years.
Map of "freedom marches" in Catalonia which will converge in Barcelona Friday, the day of a general strike, after 9 separatists were sentenced to jail terms of up to 13 years. AFP / Patricio ARANA
The nightly clashes have shown little sign of easing since the verdict was announced on Monday
The nightly clashes have shown little sign of easing since the verdict was announced on Monday AFP / Pau Barrena

"I reject all forms of violence, I have come here for peace," Carmen Fernandez, 65, told AFP.

Many thousands of people are on their way to Barcelona where they are expected to join another mass demonstration on Friday, which is likely to be the biggest yet
Many thousands of people are on their way to Barcelona where they are expected to join another mass demonstration on Friday, which is likely to be the biggest yet AFP / Pau Barrena

But on the famous Las Ramblas, protesters set up barricades and lit fires before they were dispersed by police firing foam projectiles.

Barcelona officials say more than 700 large wheelie bins have been vandalised along with traffic lights, road signs and the city's bike share service
Barcelona officials say more than 700 large wheelie bins have been vandalised along with traffic lights, road signs and the city's bike share service AFP / Josep LAGO
The Sagrada Familia basilica was forced to close its doors after protesters rallied in front of it, blocking visitors
The Sagrada Familia basilica was forced to close its doors after protesters rallied in front of it, blocking visitors AFP / Josep LAGO

Overnight Friday, radical separatists had hurled rocks and fireworks at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Activists on five "freedom marches" are due to meet in Barcelona at the end of a three-day march from five Catalan towns
Activists on five "freedom marches" are due to meet in Barcelona at the end of a three-day march from five Catalan towns AFP / Pau Barrena

Regional president Quim Torra Saturday called on the Spanish government to "fix today a day and hour to sit with us for unconditional talks."

AFPTV / Maud WATINE
Heavy clashes once again on the sidelines of the Barcelona march, which drew more than half a million protesters
Heavy clashes once again on the sidelines of the Barcelona march, which drew more than half a million protesters AFP / Pau Barrena

His demand for "unconditional" negotiations, addressed to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, appeared to be aimed at ensuring that a referendum on independence, currently a non-starter for Madrid, was up for discussion.

More than half a million people rallied in Barcelona on Friday in the biggest protest since the sentence
More than half a million people rallied in Barcelona on Friday in the biggest protest since the sentence AFP / LLUIS GENE

The Spanish government replied that it had "always been open to dialogue in the framework of respect for the law".

Police fired tear gas to break up the protesters, most of whom were youngsters
Police fired tear gas to break up the protesters, most of whom were youngsters AFP / Pau Barrena
AFPTV / Maud WATINE

It also called on Torra to condemn the violence, "which he has not done so far".

AFPTV / Anahi ARADAS

'Barcelona does not deserve this'

Barcelona has been rocked all week by protests against a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over the failed 2017 independence bid.

AFPTV / Anahi ARADAS
AFPTV / Anahi ARADAS, Maud WATINE

Emergency services said Saturday that 152 people had been injured in overnight clashes in Barcelona. Dozens more were hurt elsewhere in Catalonia, taking the total to 182.

Radical Catalan separatists and police clashed in Barcelona overnight Friday, injuring more than 150 people
Radical Catalan separatists and police clashed in Barcelona overnight Friday, injuring more than 150 people AFP / Josep LAGO

Authorities had already reported 500 injured since protests started Monday.

Catalan separatists have kept their protests going into the weekend
Catalan separatists have kept their protests going into the weekend AFP / Josep LAGO

The interior ministry said 83 people were detained in the overnight violence, in addition to 128 arrests police had reported previously.

Protesters formed a human chain between police and a sit-in, as the tourist hotspot reels from days of clashes following the jailing of separatist leaders
Protesters formed a human chain between police and a sit-in, as the tourist hotspot reels from days of clashes following the jailing of separatist leaders AFP / LLUIS GENE

"This can't go on, Barcelona does not deserve this," said Ada Colau, the city's leftist mayor on Saturday, condemning "all kinds of violence".

"All this is very sad, and is not helping our cause," said Assumpcio Segui, a 75-year old pro-independence pensioner.

Torra also urged demonstrators to remain calm. "The defence of rights and freedoms must always be expressed peacefully," he said.

While most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters earlier Saturday, igniting a huge blaze as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said.

Other fires broke out near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas.

Police vans fanned out around the city, sirens screaming as regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre.

'Clasico' postponed

On Friday, around half a million people had rallied in Barcelona, the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling.

Thousands of "freedom marchers" from five regional towns had arrived in Barcelona the same day, which coincided with the general strike in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.

That action prompted the cancellation of flights and the closure of shops, business and top tourist attractions, including the Sagrada Familia basilica.

With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Camp Nou stadium.

Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid.

Monday's judgment by the Supreme Court has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards a fourth election in as many years on November 10.

Conservative Pablo Casado said his Popular Party would be a "dyke against the separatist challenge" while the centre-right Ciudadanos party called Torra a "public danger" who should be dismissed.