Lance Yves C.

Perin 4/16/22

GE 9(2018)-D (LEC) THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

Potsdam

Teschen(Decin)
Dresden
Leitmeritz (Litomercia)
Nuremberg Prague

Stuttgart
Brunn (Brno)
Baden
Munich
Basel Ulm Vienna
Schaffhausen Linz
Lausanne Salzburg
Bern
Geneva
Turin Venice

Milan
Florence

Rome and the Vatican

Figure 1. Rizal's route through Europe during his Grand Tour

Dresden, Germany

 Their visit coincided with the regional floral exposition.

 Rizal studied different plants because he was interested in botany.
 They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer.
 They also visited the Museum of Art and Rizal was deeply impressed by the painting of
“Prometheus Bound”, a Greek mythological tragedy.
 They met Dr. Jagor while strolling through the Floral Exposition grounds.

Leitmeritz, Bohemia

 Professor Blumentritt waited for them in the station after he received the letter regarding the
coming of Rizal and Viola.
 Blumentritt was carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which the letter had previously sent him, so that
he could identify his Filipino friend.
 Rizal enjoyed the warm hospitality and enjoyed the cooking of the professor’s wife Rosa.
Blumentritt’s children were Dolores, Conrad, and Fritz.
 Blumentritt showed the scenic sights and historical spots of Leitmeritz.
  They met the burgomaster or the town mayor at the beer garden. The two were introduced to
the burgomaster by Blumentritt. Rizal spoke perfect German, which astounded the burgomaster
and his companions.
 Rizal and Viola were invited to a meeting o the Tourists’ Club of Leitmeritz, of Blumentritt was
secretary. The members of the society were amazed by the fluency of Rizal in German.
 Rizal painted a portrait of the kind professor and gave it to him as a commemoration of his
happy hours at the professor’s home.
 Rizal also met another renowned scientist of Europe namely, Dr. Carlos Czepelak.
 Blumentritt also introduced Rizal to Professor Robert Klutschak, an eminent naturalist.
 On their last night in Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola, reciprocated Blumentritt’s hospitality with a
banquet. On May 16, at 9:45 A.M., Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train.

Prague, Bohemia

 After their stay at Leitmeritz, Rizal together with Viola visited the city of Prague.
 They carried recommendation letters from Blumentritt to Dr. Willkomm, a professor of natural
history in the University of Prague.
 Rizal and Viola visited the tomb of Copernicus, the museum of natural history, the
bacteriological laboratories, the famous cave where San Juan Nepomuceno was imprisoned, and
the bridge from which the saint was hurled into the river.
 Rizal and Viola left Prague and went to Brunn.

Vienna, Austria-Hungary

 On May 20, Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful Vienna.

 Famous in songs and story, this city very much fascinated Rizal because of its beautiful buildings,
religions images and charm.
 Rizal and Viola presented a letter of recommendation, from Blumentritt, to Norfenfals, one of
the greatest novelists in Europe during that time. The great novelist was impressed by Rizal’s
genius. Later he spoke highly of Rizal.
 Also in Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin. It was found by a main in Hotel Krebs
and was given to Blumentritt who, in turn, forwarded it to Rizal.
 They visited the city’s interesting places, such as churches, museums, art galleries, theaters, and
parks.

Danubian Voyage to Lintz, Austria-Hungary

 On May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube
Rivera.
 As they both travel with boat, Rizal observed the different sights like the barges loaded with
products, the flowers and plants growing along the riverbanks, the boats with families living on
them, and the quaint villages on the riversides.
 They also noticed that the passengers were using paper napkins during meals.

To Rheinfall, To Salzburg, To Munich & Nuremberg

  The river voyage ended in Lintz. They traveled overland to Salzburg and from there to Munich
where they sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer.
 From Munich they went to Nuremberg, an old city of Germany. Among the sights were the
horrible torture machines used by the Inquisition.
 Viola and Rizal were greatly impressed by the manufacture of dolls in Nuremberg.
 After Munich, they visited Ulm. The cathedral of this city was the largest and the tallest in all
Germany.
 From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then Rheinfall. At Rheinfall, they saw the waterfall
which was the most beautiful waterfall of Europe.

Switzerland

 From Rheinfall, they crossed the frontier to Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

 They stayed in this city from June 2 to 3, 1887. They then continued their tour to Basel, Bern,
and Lausanne.
 After sightseeing in Lausanne, Rizal and Viola left on a little boat, crossing the foggy Leman Lake
to Geneva.

Geneva, Switzerland

 This Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe which was visited by world tourist
every year.
 The people of Geneva were linguists, speaking French, German, and Italian. Rizal conversed with
them in these three languages.
 Rizal and Viola also went boating on the lake. Rizal showed his rowing prowess which he
acquired during his boyhood days in Calamba.
 On June 19, 1887, it was Rizal’s 26th birthday and treated Viola to a blow-out.
 Rizal and Viola spent fifteen days in Geneva. On June 23, they parted ways. Viola decided to
return to Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour to Italy.
 Rizal resents the Exhibition of Igorots in the 1887 Madrid Exposition.

Italy

 Rizal went to Italy. He visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence. On June 27, 1887, he reached
Rome. He was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City—Rome.
 On June 29th, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the “City of the Popes” and the capital
Christendom. He was impressed by the magnificent edifices, particularly of St. Peter’s Church
which was also his feast day during that time.
 Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired. “I am tired as
a dog,” he wrote to Blumentritt, “but I will sleep as a god”.
 After a week of staying in Rome, he prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already
written to his father that he was coming home.