GERMANY

● Activities
Rizal's activities in Germany were equally significant and played a crucial role in his
intellectual and political development. Here are some key aspects of his time in
Germany:
Continued studies in ophthalmology: After leaving Switzerland, Rizal went to
Germany to further his studies in ophthalmology. He enrolled at the University of
Heidelberg in 1886 and pursued advanced courses under prominent professors in the
field. Rizal's dedication to his studies in Germany further enhanced his expertise in
ophthalmology.
Heidelberg:
● He resided in a German boarding house where he became friends and played chess
with German board mates. Rizal was a good chess player, which caused him to be
eventually recommended by his board mates to become a member of Chess Players'
Club of Heidelberg. He became popular among these German law students because he
joined them not only in their chess games but also in their beer drinking sprees.
● Rizal worked at the eye hospital of the University of Heidelberg under Dr. Otto Becker.
He mastered diagnosing eye ailments.
● He usually strolled around the city, not only to see its church and theater. but also to
savor the cool breeze of the Neckar River, which was teeming with flowers. This
scenery inspired Rizal to write a poem entitled A Las Flores de Heidelberg (To The
Flowers of Heidelberg) on April 12, 1886.

Wilhelmsfeld:
● Rizal took a three-month vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, a mountainous village at Heidelberg.
It was at this village where he met and became a friend of Pastor Ulmer, whose family he
stayed with during the entire duration of his summer vacation in the said village. Owing
to his pleasant disposition and personality, as well as his talents in sketching and
languages, Pastor Ulmer's wife greatly admired Rizal.

Heidelberg: (after vacation)

● Collaboration with Ferdinand Blumentritt: Rizal's friendship with Ferdinand Blumentritt,
an Austrian professor and scholar, blossomed during his time in Germany. They
exchanged numerous letters discussing various topics, including the plight of the
Philippines under Spanish rule. Blumentritt provided valuable insights and support to
Rizal's nationalist aspirations.

Leipzig:
● He arrived in Leipzig on August 14, 1886, on board a train. Part of his activities in this
city was attendance at the lectures given by German professors in history and
psychology.
 ● He translated Schiller's William Tell into Tagalog and he also translated the Fairy Tales,
written by Hans Christian Andersen, for the benefit of his young nieces and nephews in
the Philippines.
● Worked as a proofreader in a publishing company to augment his allowance. Stayed at
the city for 2 months due to its lower cost of living.

Berlin:
● He went to Berlin due to the following reasons: to further enhance his knowledge of
ophthalmology; to supplement his studies of languages and sciences; to study and
observe the political and economic conditions of Germany; to join the circle of famous
German scientists and scholars; and to complete and publish his novel, Noli Me
Tangere.
● Building international networks: Rizal used his time in Germany to establish connections
with intellectuals, scholars, and activists from different parts of the world. He attended
academic conferences, engaged in intellectual debates, and expanded his network of
like-minded individuals who shared his vision for Philippine independence.
● Worked as assistant in Dr. Schweigger's clinic in the morning. Then he attended lectures
at the University of Berlin in the evening.

● Observation/discovery
- Rizal observed that the German students are affectionate, respectful, modest, and not
boastful. He also discovered that German women are serious; studious; simple;
industrious; not afraid of men; and concerned about education. He, then, described
Germany as a country of order and obedience, and a high sense for womanhood. He
also discovered the religious tolerance the people practice in the area that is peculiar to
him. He observed a Pastor being able to get along well with the Catholic priest in the
area, something that will not be possible in the Philippines at that time due to the
dominant belief of the friars that only themselves were the only true purveyors of the
words of God.

● Realizations in the place

- Rizal realized how vastly different Germany is from the Philippines in terms of the
government, behaviors, and lifestyle. Germany doesn’t have the abusive friars who lead
the country and corrupt its money and resources. Germany is disciplined but at the same
time has kind citizens and women are empowered through education unlike in the
Philippines during that time wherein Filipinos experiences abuse, discrimination, and
exploitation from the Spaniards.

● Important contribution
- Rizal's activities in Germany allowed him to further develop his nationalist ideals, refine
his intellectual pursuits, and strengthen his commitment to advocating for reforms and
liberation from Spanish colonial rule. The knowledge and experiences he gained during
his time in Germany profoundly influenced his role as a national hero of the Philippines.