Chapter 9

Rizal's Grand Tour of

Europe with Viola (1887)

After the publication of the Noli. Rizal planned to visit the

important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agreed to be his

traveling companion.' Rizal had received Paciano's remittance

of P1,000 which was forwarded by Juan Luna from Paris. He

immediately paid Viola the sum of P300) which the latter kindly

loaned so that the Noli could be printed. Having paid his debt.

and with adequate funds in his pocket, he was ready to sce

Europe before returning to Calamba. First, he and Viola visited

Potsdam, a city near Berlin, which Frederick the great made

famous.

The Tour Begins. At dawn of May 11, 1887. Rizal and

Viola, two brown-skinned doctors on a roaming spree, left Berlin

by train. It was an ideal season for travel. Spring was in the

air, and all over Europe the flowers werc blooming, the meadows

were turning green, and the villages were humming with activity

According to Viola, the luggage of Rizal included all the letters

he had received from his (Rizal's) family and friends. Their

destination was Dresden, "one of the best cities in Germany

Drenden. Rizal and Viola tarried for some time in Dresden.

Their visit coincided with the regional floral exposition. Rizal.

who was interested in botany, studied the numerous plant

Varieties of extraordinary beauty and size". They visited Dr.

Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see them. In the

Museum of Art, which they also visited, Rizal was deeply imore

sed by a painting of "Prometheus Bound and recalled seeina

a representation of the same idea in an art gallery in Paris,

Exposition, the
to visit Leitment

the

to wire Blurbet

or was of en

he

KODE BILAL LIFE OCH AND TO

While sem at the sense of the Floral Exposition

met Dr. Jamor. Upon hearing of their plan to visit

now Litomerice, Grechoslovakia) in order to see B

for the first time, Dr. Jaror advised them to wire il

of their come because the old professor was of

disposition and he might suffer a shocic at their sudden van

Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia) was thet a

stopover after leaving Dresden. Rizal and Viola sent a wire

Blumentritt, as per suggestion of Dr. Jugor.

First Meeting with Blumentritt. Al 1:30 p.m. of May 13

1887, the train, with Rizal and Viola on board arrived at the

railroad station of Leitmotite. Bohemia Prato Blumenti

who had received their wire, was at the station. He was QUITY

a pencil sketch of Rizal which the latter had previously sent

him, so that be could identify his Filipino friend. He warmly

received Rizal and Viola

For the first time, the two great scholars - Ripal id

Blumentritt -- who came to know each other by correspondence,

met in person. They greeted each other in fluent German

Blumentritt was a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor. Upon

seeing the talented Rizal for the first time, he immediately took

hint into heart, loving him som

Professor Blumentritt, the genial host helped Rizal and

Viola get a room at Hotel Kucbs, after which he brought them

to his home and introduced them to his wife and family. The

two Filipino tourists spent many pleasant hours at the home of

their kind host. They stayed in Leitmeritz from May 13 to May

16, 1857.

Beautiful Memories of Leitmerlitz Rizal had beautiful

memories of his visit to Leitmeritz. He enjoyed the warm hos

pitality of the Blumentritt family. The professor's wife Rosa

was a good cook, and she prepared special Austrian dishes which

Rizal liked very much. His children were Dolores (called Dor

or Doritn by Rizal), Conrad, and Fritz.

Blumentritt proved to be a great tourist guide as well

licispitable host. He showed the scenic and historical spoo

Leitmerite to his visitors. One afternoon he invited them

beer garden where the best beer of Bohemia was served.

w Grand Tour of Europe With Vieta 1887)

acar table there was a lively discussion among the drinkers about

the advisability of having the railroad pass through a neighboring

wwn. One of the men in the group was the burgomaster (town

vor) of that town, Blumentritt knew the burgomaster, so that

bad approached the party and delightfully introduced his two

Filipino friends, Rizal talked in fluent German, for which reason

the burgomaster and his friends were amazed. The burgomster

ed Rizal how long it took him to learn German, And Rizal

replied: Eleven months, sir". The burgomaster was further

deed, and in great admiration, he lauded the privileged

talent of Rizal. Blumentritt embraced Rizal, telling him that

itw Germans could speak well their own language as Rizal could.

On another aftemoon Rizal and Viola were invited to a

meeting of the Tourists Club of Leitmeritz, of which Blumentritt

was the secretary. Rizal spoke extemporaneously in fluent Ger

man to the officers and members, praising Austria's idyllic scenes

and its hospitable, mature-loving, and noble people. The nudience

wildly applauded him, for they were enchanted by his cloquence

md fluency in German.

Rizal, desiring to commemorate his happy hours at the

Blumentritt home, painted a portrait of the kind professor and

gave it to him, Blumentritt was pleased with the gift.

It was during his visit to Leitmeritz when Rizal met another

renowned scientist of Europe, Dr. Carlos Czepelak. Blumentritt

brought him to Czepelak's home, and Rizal had a nice conver-

sation with this Polish scholar. Blumentritt also introduced Rizal

to Professor Robert Klutschak, an eminent naturalist.

On their last night in Leitmerit, Rizal and Viola, to recip.

rocate Blumentritt's hospitality, tendered a banquet - a firewell

dinner - in his honor at their hotel.

On May 16, at 9:45 A.M., Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz

by train Blumentritt, his wife, and children were at the railroad

station to see them off, and they all shed tears in parting as the

train slowly departed.

Rizal carried unto his grave the beautiful memories of his

Visit to Leitmeritz In a letter to Blumentritt, written in Vienna

on May 24, 1887, Rizal expressed his and Viola's concern for

the illness of Dora, the professor's little daughter. "Viola and