Rizal’s Grand Tour in Europe with Rizal’s Grand Tour in Europe with Maximo ViolaMaximo Viola

• After the publication of the Noli Me Tangere, Rizal had received remittance from Paciano worth P1,000.00 which was forwarded by Juan Luna from Paris.

• Rizal immediately paid Viola P300.00 that he used to published the novel.

THE TOURTHE TOUR

Potsdam• Near Berlin• It became famous

because of Frederick the Great - skillfully employed the limited Prussian resources to make his kingdom the most powerful German state during the seven Years War.

• Viola and Rizal left Berlin by train.

Dresden• Where they visited the Regional Flower

Exposition.• Rizal – interested in Botany, studied the variety

of plants.• Dr. Adolph Meyer – was visited by the two

physicians.• They visited the Museum or Art where Rizal

became deeply impressed by the painting Prometheus Bound.

• Prometheus – a Titan punished by Zeus for giving fire to mankind.

• Feodor Jagor – was also visited by Rizal and Viola.– Was informed of the two physicians plan to visit

Blumentritt– Warned Rizal to inform Blumentritt first because

he might suffer a nervous breakdown because of shock.

• Teschen (Decin) – found in Czech Republic– Stop over

Leitmeritz, Austria

• Now known as Litomeritce in Czech Republic.

• Where Ferdinand Blumentritt lived.

• Rizal and Viola stayed in this place from May 13-16,1887.

• Ferdinand Blumentritt – waited for Rizal and Viola in the train station carrying with him a sketch of Rizal.

• Hotel Krebs – where Rizal and Viola stayed while they were in Leitmeritz.

• Rizal enjoyed the warm hospitality of Blumentritt’s family.

• Rosa – Blumentritt’s wife was a good cook• Dolores (Dora, Dorita), Conrad and Fritz – were

nice to them.• Ferdinand – a great tourist guide and a

hospitable host.– Offered the best beer in Bohemia to his guests– Introduced Rizal to the town Mayor who was

impressed in his communication skills.

• Tourists’ Club of Leitmeritz – a group where Blumentritt was the secretary.– Rizal spoke extemporaneously in fluent German

praising Austria’s idyllic scenes and hospitable, nature loving and noble people.

– He was willfully applauded.• Dr. Carlos Czepalak – a renowned scientist• Professor Robert Klutschak – a eminent

naturalist.– Both were introduced by Blumentritt to Rizal

• Rizal painted Blumentritt as a sign of his gratitude

Prague

• Viola and Rizal carried with them a recommendation from Blumentritt address to Dr. Welkomm – professor of natural history in the University of Prague.– He accompanied the two

physicians in visiting the historic places

• Tomb of Nicolaus Copernicus – famous astronomer

• Museum of Natural History• Bacteriological Laboratories• Cave where San Juan Nepomuceno, the

Catholic saint was imprisoned as well as the bridge where he was hurled into the river.

Vienna

• Capital of Austria-Hungary

• Rizal and Viola spent four days in this city visiting the buildings and examining holy images and statues.

• Queen of Danube• Norfenfals – one of the greatest novelists in

Europe during Rizal’s time was met by Rizal through Blumentritt.

• Diamond stickpin – lost by Rizal in Hotel Krebs, given by the maid to Blumentritt.

• They stayed in Hotel Metropole

Danubian Voyage to Linz

• Rizal and Viola left Vienna via boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River.

• They noticed that passengers were using paper napkins during the meals instead of a cloth napkin.

From Linz to Rheinfall

• They left Austria from Salzburg, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. They re-entered Germany.

• Munich – where they stayed for a short-time to drink the Munich Beer (the best in Germany).

• Nuremburg – one of the oldest cities in Germany – Where they saw the horrible machines used in the

Inquisition– The two were impressed by the manufacture of dolls

which was the city’s biggest industry.

• Ulm – where the largest and tallest Cathedral in Germany.– From here they went to Stuttgart, Baden, and in

Rheinfall – were they saw the most beautiful waterfall in Europe.

Switzerland

• From Rheinfall to Schaffhausen, Switzerland,

• Here they visited Basel (Bale), Bern, and Lausanne.

Geneva

• One of the most beautiful cities in Europe visited by tourists every year.

• He spent 15 days in this place• Rizal spent his 26th birthday• Viola returned to Barcelona from Geneva• Rizal continued his tour to Italy.

Exhibition of Igorots in 1887 Madrid Exposition

• In Geneva, Rizal and Viola received news from Madrid about the deplorable conditions of the primitive Igorots who were exhibited in the exhibition.

• Some of whom died, and whose scanty clothing (G strings) and crude weapons were objects of mockery and laughter by the Spaniards.

• Rizal was outraged by the degradation of his fellow countrymen.

Italy

• In this place Rizal visited Turin, Venice an Florence.

• June 27, 1887 – he reached Rome “The Eternal City and the City of Ceasars”

Vatican

• June 29, 1887 – Feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. He visited the Vatican – the city of the popes and the capital of Christendom.

• The grandeur of Rome was something that Rizal did not fail to appreciate in his sojourn in Italy. After a week of travel in Rome, he prepared for his homecoming to the Philippines.