For the first time, one of Spain's major political parties that's not in Catalonia is calling for a vote on whether the region should secede from the country.
On Nov. 9, the Catalan regional parliament approved a plan to split from Spain within 18 months. The country's highest court has now ruled that secession would be unconstitutional.
People in the wealthy northeastern region of Spain, many of whom harbor ambitions of independence, cast ballots in a symbolic statement. The majority voted for independence, but turnout wasn't high.
Catalonia's President Artur Mas is seen as a savvy leader who has appealed far beyond his home borders for Catalan independence. But Spain says there's no way it will cut Catalonia free.
The call for Catalan independence was long led by those who suffered under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. Younger Catalans are now championing the cause.
The 18th century Catalan tradition of castelling, the building of human towers, or castles, is undergoing a renaissance today. This has accompanied a rise in Catalan nationalism.
Spain's central government in Madrid had appealed to the court to stop the vote, which had been approved with strong support from Catalonia's parliament and local governments.
Catalonia's leader has set a November date for a vote on whether the northeast region of Spain should become independent. Spain's central government has said it will block the vote.