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.