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 and Dr. Maximo Viola
agreed to be his traveling companion.
• Rizal had received Paciano’s remittance of 1000 pesos
which was forwarded by Juan Luna from Paris. He
immediately paid Viola 300 pesos which the latter
kindly loaned so that the Noli could be printed.
 May 11, 1887
• Rizal and Viola begin their tour in Europe
• They left Berlin by train and it was spring which is an ideal season to
travel.
• According to Viola, the luggage of Rizal included all the letters he had
received from Rizal’s family and friends.
• Dresden is their destination and it is “one of the best cities in Germany”
 Dresden
• Their visit coincided with the Regional Floral Exposition, Rizal
who was interested in Botany.
• They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see
them
• In the Museum of Art, Rizal was deeply impressed by a painting
of “Prometheus Bound”
• While strolling in the Floral Exposition they met Dr. Jagor
 May 13, 1887
• At 1:30 they arrived at the rail road station of Leitmeritz, Bohemia
• Professor Blumentritt was carrying a pencil sketch pf Rizal sp he could
identify him
• Professor Blumentritt, the genial host, helped Rizal and Viola get a
room at Hotel Krebs
• They stayed in Leitmeritz from May 13 to May 16,1887
• Professor Blumentritt’s children are Dolores ( called Dora or
Dorita by Rizal), Conrad and Fritz
• Rizal met the town mayor and was amazed by speaking German
fluently
• May 16 at 9:45 A.M., Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train.
 Prague
• Rizal and Viola met Dr. Wilkomm and showed them the city’s
historic spot
• They visit the tomb of Copernicus, the famous astronomer
• After saying good-bye to Professor Wilkomm and his family they
went to Brunn and according to Viola, “nothing of importance
happened”
 Vienna
• On May 20, Rizal and Viola arrived in Vienna.
• Vienna was truly the “Queen of the Danube”
• Rizal and Viola met Norfentals, one of the greatest novelist in
Europe.
• In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin
• They stayed at Hotel Metropole.
 Danubian Voyage to Lintz

• May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see
the beautiful sights of the Danube River.
 From Lintz to Rheinfall
• The river voyage ended in Lintz
• They travel overland to Salzburg, from there to Munich
• They drink Munich beer, reputed to be the best in
Germany
• From Munich they went to Nuremberg, one of the oldest
cities in Germany
• They visited Ulm, the cathedral of this city was “the largest and
tallest in all Germany”
• At Rheinfall they saw a waterfall “the most beautiful waterfall
of Europe”
 Crossing the Frontier to Switzerland

• From Rheinfall they crossedthe frontier to Schaffhausen,

Switzerland
• They stayed at the city from June 2- June 3, 1887
 Geneva
• They cross the foggy Leman Lake to Geneva
• There are 3 languages in Geneva; French, German and Italian
• On June 19, 1887 Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out it was his 26
birthday
• Rizal continued his journey to Italy while Viola returned to
Barcelona.
 Rizal Resents Exhibition of Igorots in
1887 Madrid Exposition
• Rizal wrote a letter to his friend Blumentritt about his
anger on the exposition of Igorots in Madrid and was
being mocked by a Spanish newspaper.
 Rizal in Italy
• Rizal visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence on June 27, 1887
• He also visited Rome the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of
the Caesars”
• He wrote a letter to Blumentritt about how he was thrilled by the
sights in Rome
• On June 29, The feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited
Vatican, the “City of Popes”
Thank You!