LESSON 9

“Paris to Berlin (1885-87)”

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

• On his way to Paris, Rizal stopped in Barcelona

to visit Maximo Viola
• He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis De
Weckert, leading French Opthalmologist
• Outside his working hours he visited his friends:
Tavera’s, Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo. He also
spent happy hours in Luna’s studio, improved
his own painting technique.

MAXIMO VIOLA

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

In Historic Heidelberg
• He left Paris on February 1, 1886 for Germany. He lived in boarding house with
German law students who made him a member of the Chess Player’s Club
• He worked as an assistant to
Dr. Otto Becker, German ophthalmologist

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

With Pastor Ulmer at Wilhelmsfeld

• Rizal spent a three-month summer
vacation in Wilhelmsfeld.
• Dr. Karl Ullmer is a kind Protestant pastor where Rizal stayed, who became
his good friend and admirer
• On July 31, 1886, he wrote his first letter in German (which he had improved
after his stay with the Ullmers) to Professor Blumentritt, Director of the
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

Letter to Blumentritt
• Rizal sent the book Aritmetica (Arithmetic) to Blumentritt.
• Rizal’s letter from Heidelberg impressed Blumentritt, who reciprocated by
sending by sending Rizal a gift of two books. It marked the beginning of their
long and frequent correspondence, also of their friendship that lasted all their
lives. Blumentritt, the Austrian, became the best friend of Rizal.

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

In Leipzig and Dresden

• August 9, 1886- Rizal left Heidelberg and August 14, 1886- boarded by a train.
Rizal arrived in Leipzig.
• Befriended Prof. Friedrich Ratzel (German Historian) and Dr. Hans Meyer
( German Anthropologist)

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

• In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell

from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might
know the story of that champion of Swiss
independence.
• Rizal also translated into Tagalog for his nephews
and niece Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales.
• Worked as proof-reader in a publisher’s firm.

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles

• Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, celebrated German scientist-
traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and
admired during his student days in Manila. 
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- introduced to Rizal by
Dr. Jagor; famous German anthropologist.
• Dr. Hans Virchow- son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow,
professor of Descriptive Anatomy

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

Reasons for staying Berlin:

• (1) to gain further knowledge of ophthalmology (2) to further his studies of
sciences and languages (3) to observe the economic and political conditions of
the German nation (4) to associate with famous German scientists and scholars
(5) to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

• Led a methodical and frugal life.

• Worked as an assistant to Dr. Schweigger
and attended lectures at night in the
University of Berlin
• Practiced speaking in German, French
and Italian
• Took private lessons in French under
• Performed daily exercise in Berlin Gymnasium
• Tour the countryside observing keenly the customs, dresses, homes and
occupations of the peasants
• Enjoyed promenading along Unter den Linden
P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works
 LESSON 9
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

Rizal’s Darkest Winter

• The diamond ring was in the pawnshop
• Could not pay his landlord
• Afford to eat one meal a day
• Clothes are old and washed them himself
 

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works

 CHAPTER 7
Paris to Berlin (1885-87)

The End.
Important Note: This slide presentation is for LSPU-USE only.

Prepared by: Ms. Jenica Crizel B. Vergara, LPT

P.I.100: Rizal’s Life and Works