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Tens of thousands of people gathered in the towns and villages of Catalonia to mark the first anniversary of the referendum on independence.
According to municipal police, nearly 180,000 protesters rallied in Barcelona to demand independence, AFP reported.
Protesters had previously blocked main roads south of the city and a high-speed railway line in Girona.
Catalonia held the vote on 1 October 2017 and its separatist government proclaimed independence on 27 October.
But the Spanish constitutional court ruled the referendum illegal and Madrid imposed direct power.
At the time, there were ugly scenes on the streets as the Spanish police tried to prevent people from going to the polls.
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Supporters of Catalonia's independence block the entry of the Barcelona Stock Exchange
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AFP / Getty
Protesters tried to cross a security fence in Girona
The anniversary events were organized by the Republican Defense Committees (CDR), which require a clear break with the Spanish state.
The CDRs briefly blocked the rail service between Barcelona and Figueres, as well as the streets of Lleida and Barcelona and the highway connecting the coastal city to the Spanish capital, Madrid.
CDR groups have also demonstrated in several cities around the world, including London and Paris.
"Put pressure"
In June, Spain ended its temporary direct authority over the region, while a new government led by nationalists was sworn in under Quim Torra's presidency.
Speaking earlier at a ceremony in Sant Julia de Ramis, in northern Catalonia, Mr Torra congratulated the activists for "pressuring".
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Protesters in front of Escola Mediterranea school in Barcelona
Torra succeeded Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium after the failed bid for independence.
The AFP news agency had already announced that 500 people had marched through the streets of Barcelona, launched firecrackers and chanted "We voted and we won". Some called on Mr. Torra to withdraw for not insisting enough on independence.
Activists reportedly tore the Spanish flag in Catalonia's regional government building in Girona, replacing it with the yellow, red and blue separatist flag.
Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, who is of Catalan nationality, said that it was up to Mr Torra and the Catalan regional government to maintain public order.
"We will continue to try to reduce tensions (…) and demand that everyone shoulder their responsibilities," he told reporters.
A poll conducted in July revealed that 46.7% of Catalans were in favor of independence and 44.9% opposed it.
The Spanish Supreme Court has withdrawn its European arrest warrants against Mr Puigdemont and five of his collaborators who remained abroad.
But the charges against them remain, which means that they still risk being arrested when they return to Spain.
