Every year, on Oct. 31, Angel Rufino de Haro, "The Mariquelo", climbs the tower of the New Cathedral of Salamanca. This event is in line with a tradition born in 1755, following the Lisbon earthquake that was felt in Salamanca. Inhabitants of Salamanca (Salmantinos) took refuge in the cathedral and the legend says that the bells, the effect of the earthquake, began to chime alone. The tower of the cathedral was slightly since then, a fact that was not appreciated at first glance.
On October 31 of 1755 saw a strong earthquake on the coast of Cape St. Vincent in Portugal. It is estimated that he had a magnitude around 9 on the Richter scale and triggered a tsunami that hit much of Western Europe and North Africa. But above all went down in history because both phenomena completely razed the capital Blacks, becoming known as the Lisbon earthquake.

In Spain Salamanca, a city relatively close to Lisbon, were felt the effects of the earthquake, and people are scared refuge in the newly built New Cathedral, completed in 1733. The building remained almost intact after the incident, although some figures were shattered its facade to fall to the ground. But the damage it suffered the largest tower, which was slightly tilted. At first glance it is imperceptible, but had to be reinforced in successive times for fear that is collapsing due to its high altitude, about 100 meters.

The Cabildo Cathedral established a tradition ever since that day, in which the bells begin to play, prays to God that does not happen again another similar tragedy. In addition, one person rose to the pinnacle of the tower to verify that the tilt had not increased. The family who lived inside the cathedral and was responsible for the bells was popularly known as "The Mariquelos," whose descendants continued to comply with the tradition until 1976, when the latter was made.

Angel Rufino is the tradition that rescues in 1985, baptizing himself with the nickname of that family. Year after year, perched at the Dome wearing a charro suit ( "charro" or "Charra" means that it belongs to the culture of Salamanca) and equipped his bagpipes and drums. Upon reaching the top, he played a "charrada" (music of the ancient culture of Salamanca) composed by him titled "Charra the Cathedral." His aim, in his own words, is to convey a message of peace and joy and that is why some years releases a white dove from the tower. Usually accompanied, on the floor, by associations of culture typical tern, dances tern, dulzaineros and drummers.

The best place to observe his ascension is the Plaza de Anaya.