• Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

    Mobile devices industry gathers in Spain

    Silhouettes of visitors are seen at the App pavilion during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 27, 2013. The congress, representing the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry, takes place Feb. 25-28 in Barcelona.

    From the Mobile World Congress website:

    During the four days of Mobile World Congress, the 2013 conference program will highlight the impact of mobile on individuals and businesses – in developed and developing markets – across a range of industries. As always, the conference program will challenge and educate attendees, providing essential insights on the latest technological developments, market opportunities, next-generation services, and devices which are shaping mobile communications.

    Thought leaders and industry experts from the most influential companies within the expanding mobile value chain will be participating in more than 40 conference sessions at Mobile World Congress, from thought-provoking and visionary keynote presentations to interactive panel sessions, all addressing the most pressing topics in mobile.

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  • Emilio Morenatti / AP

    Telefonica employees strike in Barcelona

    Workers from the phone company Telefonica take part in a demonstration blocking traffic and protesting against the unjustified dismissals at their company ahead of a general strike in Barcelona Spain, Nov. 13, 2012. Spain's main trade unions will stage a general strike, coinciding with similar work stoppages in Portugal and Greece, to protest government-imposed austerity measures and labor reforms. The strike will be the second in Spain this year. The masks read in Spanish: "I am a profitable person."

  • Massive anti-tax protest in Spain's Catalonia

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    Demonstrators wave Catalan flags during a protest rally in Barcelona, Spain, Sept. 11, 2012.

    AP reports — Tens of thousands of people angered by Spain's financial crisis are protesting in Barcelona on the Catalonia region's 'National Day," claiming they pay more than their fair share in taxes to the federal government in Madrid. Full story…

    Josep Lago / AFP - Getty Images

    Supporters of independence for Catalonia demonstrate on Sept. 11, in Barcelona.

    Jose Colon / AP

    Left-wing demonstrators burn a Spanish and French flag on top of a stage following a protest rally in Barcelona, Sept. 11.

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    A woman holds a banner during a demonstration calling for independence during Catalonia's National Day on Sept. 11, in Barcelona.

    Ferran Estrada Porta, 79, wearing the traditional 'barretina' hat and holding a Catalan flag, plays his trumpet on the street in Barcelona, Sept. 11.

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  • Manu Fernandez / AP

    Revelers run with fire in Spain

    Revelers hold torches as they take part in a 'Correfoc' (run with fire) party in Barcelona, Spain, July 15. Correfocs or "fire runs" are among the most striking features present in Catalan festivals. In the correfoc, a group of individuals dress as devils and light fireworks. While dancing to the drums of a traditional gralla, those in costume set off their fireworks among crowds of spectators.

  • Trash strewn around Barcelona airport as cleaning workers protest cuts

    Albert Gea / Reuters

    Cleaning staff workers toss pieces of papers during a protest at Barcelona's airport on Tuesday. Cleaning staff working for a company who have a contract with the airport demonstrated against pay and benefits cuts made by their employer.

    Albert Gea / Reuters

    Passengers line up in front of check-in desks during a protest by the cleaning staff at Barcelona's airport.

    Alberto Estevez / EPA

    A woman carries her luggage on an escalator at the Terminal 1 of El Prat airport in Barcelona.

    See more images from Spain in PhotoBlog.

    •Sign up for the msnbc.com Photos Newsletter

  • Aftermath of violent protests: Barcelona cleans up

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    A worker cleans a shop stormed by demonstrators following clashes between police and protesters after a general strike in Barcelona, Spain, on March 30. The Spanish government prepared to approve on Friday a new austerity budget that hundreds of thousands protested against this week in sometimes violent demonstrations.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    A man leaves a bank stormed by demonstrators following clashes between police and protesters after a general strike in Barcelona, Spain, on March 30. The Spanish government prepared to approve on Friday a new austerity budget that hundreds of thousands protested against this week in sometimes violent demonstrations.

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    A Carslon Wagonlit Traves employee is seen through a broken window on March 30, in Barcelona, Spain. Violent clashes between demonstrators and riot police in the past 24 hours has left scores injured and led to 74 people being detained.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    A security guard stands next to a Starbucks coffee shop stormed by demonstrators during clashes between police and protesters after a general strike in Barcelona, Spain, on March 30. The Spanish government prepared to approve on Friday a new austerity budget that hundreds of thousands protested against this week in sometimes violent demonstrations.

    See recent photos out of Spain in PhotoBlog.

  • Violent confrontations between student protesters and police in Spain

    Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

    Firemen extinguish a fire after clashes between students and policemen during a demonstration against austerity measures in Education on Feb. 29 in Barcelona. Students across Spain staged sit-ins and noisy demonstrations over crisis spending cuts, labour market reforms and recent police violence against protestors.

    Albert Gea / Reuters

    A man confronts hooded protesters who were vandalizing a bank during a protest against cuts in public education in Barcelona, on Feb. 29.

    Jose Jordan / AFP - Getty Images

    Students demonstrate to protest austerity measures in Education on Feb. 29 in Valencia. Students across Spain staged sit-ins and noisy demonstrations over crisis spending cuts, labor market reforms and recent police violence against protestors.

    Spanish students in Barcelona clashed Wednesday with police and set fire to garbage containers during nationwide protests against education spending cuts.

    Police said officers in riot gear charged a crowd outside the stock market in Spain's second largest city after protesters who had broken away from a peaceful rally of thousands threw rocks and other objects. Authorities made an unspecified number of arrests.

    The fire in the containers spread to a car and protesters smashed a bank window.

    The country is enduring steep austerity cuts and the prospect of recession as the government tries to stem an unemployment rate of almost 23 percent. Among those under age 25 it approaches a staggering 50 percent.

    Read the full story.

    -- Associated Press

    Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

    Students burn a doll representing the death of the public university system in front of Barcelona's stock exchange during a student's demonstration against austerity measures in Education on Feb. 29 in Barcelona. Students across Spain staged sit-ins and noisy demonstrations over crisis spending cuts, labor market reforms and recent police violence against protestors.

    Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

    Students clash with policemen during a demonstration against austerity measures in Education on Feb. 29 in Barcelona. Students across Spain staged sit-ins and noisy demonstrations over crisis spending cuts, labor market reforms and recent police violence against protestors.

    Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

    Students protest during a demonstration against austerity measures in Education on Feb. 29 in Barcelona. Students across Spain staged sit-ins and noisy demonstrations over crisis spending cuts, labour market reforms and recent police violence against protestors.

     

  • See the surreal architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona

    Dan Martella / UGC

    La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

    By Rebecca Ruiz, NBC News

    Like other major Spanish cities, Barcelona has many charms -- some of them magical. Antoni Gaudí's surreal architecture would arguably be atop any list of these attractions.

    Born in 1852 in a small town outside of Barcelona, Gaudí is chiefly known for the Sagrada Familia, a church (pictured above) that is structured in the shape of a Latin cross. Work began on the Gothic-revival building in 1882; Gaudí joined the project the following year and continued to work on it until his death in 1926.

    The dramatic Nativity facade, dedicated to Jesus' birth, and crypt are among several of Gaudí's works on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Gaudí's style, which included undulating lines, pops of color and spatial creativity, "anticipated and influenced many of the forms and techniques that were relevant to the development of modern construction in the 20th century," according to UNESCO.

    Cameron Hewitt

    Antoni Gaudi's Parc Guell in Barcelona offers fanciful views at every turn.

    Gaudí was also a visionary when it came to urban parks, turning acres of green space into fantastical landscapes. Parc Guëll (pictured above) is a popular Barcelona attraction, located in the city's suburbs.

    For more information about these and other Gaudí structures in Barcelona, visit the city's tourism website. To see more photos of his work, check out this website.

    Have you been to Gaudí's works? Share your experiences in the comments below.

    More stories you might like:

    Rebecca Ruiz is a senior editor at msnbc.com. Follow her on Twitter.

  • Bullfighting fans will shout 'Ole' for the last time in Barcelona's Monumental

    By Rich Shulman

    I wonder if the impending ban on bullfighting in Catalonia is the beginning of the end for bullfighting in Spain.

    As Reuters reports:

    Every year fewer Spaniards go to the bullring. The number of bullfights shrank by 34 percent between 2007 and 2010 according to official figures. Barcelona's Las Arenas ring shut in the 1970s and is now a shopping mall.

    "I don't know anyone my age who would go to a fight. It's not a Catalan tradition but an Andalusian or Extramadurian one. The fact that the bull is treated so badly even before the fight should override any tradition anyway," said Laia Gomez, 31, a Barcelona customer service worker.

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    A general view of the La Monumental bullring on September 22 in Barcelona, Spain. The Catalonian parliament voted to ban fullfighting on July 28, 2010 and Sunday September 25 will be the last bullfight in Catalonia. )


    Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP - Getty Images

    Bulls belonging to Spanish bull breeder Ricardo del Rio stand in a field at Guadalix de la Sierra, near Madrid, on Sept. 21.

    Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

    A bicycle tour group listens to their guide outside the Monumental Bullring, in Barcelona September 22.

    Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

    A worker puts up a poster by Balearic artist Miquel Barcelo, painted for his bullfighter friend Jose Tomas to mark the last bullfight in Catalonia, in Barcelona September 22.

    Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

    Vehicles travel past the Monumental Bullring in Barcelona September 22.

  • Barcelona stymies Madrid, reaches Champions final

    By Rich Shulman

    After four games between these two Spanish powerhouses, Barcelona moves on to the Champions League final.

    Josep Lago / AFP - Getty Images

    Barcelona's players toss teammate Barcelona's French defender Eric Abidal after winning the Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 3. Barcelona qualified for the Champions League final after drawing 1-1 in their semi-final second leg clash with bitter rivals Real Madrid to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

    Siu Wu / AFP - Getty Images

    Barcleona's players celebrate after Barcelona's forward Pedro Rodriguez (down) scored during the Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 3.

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