Sojourn in Paris and

Germany
LESSON 6
 
Life in Paris, France(1885-1886)
November 1885 Rizal went to Paris and lived there for 4
mos., where he worked as assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecket
(a leading French ophthalmologist). He rapidly improved his
knowledge of ophthalmology. Outside of his working hours,
he relaxed by visiting his friends. He also went to Luna‘s
studio. He helped Luna by posing as a model in several
artworks. Rizal posed as Egyptian priest in Luna‘s canvass
The Death of Cleopatra‖ and Sikatuna in The Blood
Compact‖. After 4 months of staying in Paris, he left Paris
for Heidelberg, Germany.
Dr. Louis de Wecket
The Blood Compact
 Lifein Heidelberg, Germany (1886) He lived for a short
time in with a German law students in a boarding house
but later on, he transferred to a boarding house near the
University of Heidelberg. He became a member of the
Chess Player‘s Club. He became a popular friend to the
German so that the German students joined him in beer
drinking, saber duel, and chess games. - He worked at the
University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker
(ophthalmologist). He also attended the lectures of Dr.
Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at the university.
During weekends, he had sights seeing at the scenic spots
at Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle, romantic Neckar River,
and old church).
University of Heidelberg
Dr. Otto Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne
Heidelberg Castle, romantic Neckar
River, and old church
Life in Heidelberg, Germany (1886) He also spent a 3-month
summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld. Here he became a good friend
of Dr. Karl Ullmer (Protestant pastor). On June 25, 1886, he left
Wilhelmsfeld, and returned to Heidelberg carrying with him the
memories of the Ullmer friendship and hospitality.
 July 3,1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in Germany to Prof.
Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian ethnologist)- he became the
best friend of Rizal.
 August 6, 1886, the 5th centenary celebration of Heidelberg.
 August 9, 1886 Rizal left Heidelberg and boarded a train,
visited other cities of Germany and arrived at Leipzig.
Wilhelmsfeld
Dr. Karl Ullmer (Protestant pastor)
Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian
ethnologist)
 Tour in Germany (1886)

August 14, 1886 he arrived at Leipzig. He attended some lectures at

the University of Leipzig in history and psychology. He met Prof.
Friedrich Ratzel (historian) and Dr. Hans Meyer anthropologist. He
translated Scheller’s “William Tell” and Hans Christian Anderson
“Fairy Tale” in Tagalog. He found Leipzig as the cheapest in Europe
and so he stayed for two and half months.
October 29, 1886 he arrived as Dresden, Germany and met Dr.
Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological
Museum. He stayed two days in this city.
Prof. Friedrich Ratzel (historian) and Dr.
Hans Meyer anthropologist
Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum
Life in Berlin, Germany (1886)

 November 1, 1886 he left Dresden by train and reached Berlin in

the evening. Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, a
German scientist. He also met famous personalities Dr. Hans
Virchow, Dr. Rudolf Virchow, Dr. W. Joest, and Dr. Ernest
Schweigger. He also worked in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger and
upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer he became a
member of the Anthropological Society, Ethnological Society and
Geographical Society. He was impressed with Berlin because of its
scientific atmosphere and absence of racial race. He lived in Berlin
in a frugal life. At night he attended the lecture in the University
of Berlin.
Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Hans Virchow, Dr.
Rudolf Virchow, Dr. Wilhelm Joest, and Dr.
Ernest Schweigger (from left to right)
 He took private lessons under French professor Madame Lucie
Cerdale. He observed keenly the customs, dresses, homes and
occupations of the peasants. He made sketches of the things he
saw. During the winter, he lived in poverty because he was flat
broke. Because was unable to pay his landlord and because he
didn‘t had a money arrived from Calamba, he pawned the diamond
ring that was given to him by his sister Saturnina. He had to eat only
one meal a day, and a daily meal consisted of bread and water or
cheap vegetable soup. He washed his clothes because he could not
afford to pay the laundry. Paciano was delayed in raising the
necessary funds, Rizal‘s health broke down. He began to cough and
feared that he was going to be sick with tuberculosis.
After several months, Rizal received Paciano‘s remittance of
P1000, which was forwarded by Juan Luna form Paris. Rizal paid
the sum of P300 for the loan granted to Rizal for the printing of
Noli Me Tangere. He went to Berlin for the following reasons: 1.To
increase his knowledge in ophthalmology 2.To broaden his studies
of sciences and languages 3.To observe political and economic
conditions of Germany 4.To associate with famous German
scientist and scholars 5.To publish his novel.
Grand Tour in Europe

 May 11, 1887 Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden. They visited Dr.
Adolf B. Meyer. While strolling at the scene of the Floral Exposition,
they met Dr. Jagor, and suggested them to meet Blumentritt.
 May 13, 1887 Rizal and Viola reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia. They met
Ferdinand Blumentritt. The two enjoyed the warm hospitality of the
Blumentritt family. They also met famous scientist Dr. Carlos Czepelah
and another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak.
 May 17, 1887 they left Leitmeritz by train on their way to the city of
Prague. They carried recommendation letters of Prof. Blumentritt Dr.
Wilhomm, a professor of Natural History in the University of Prague.
 May 19, 1887 they reached the city of Brunn.
 May 20, 1887 they arrived at the city of Vienna, Austria. They
visited famous interesting scenic places like churches,
museums, art galleries, theatres, public parks, beautiful
buildings, and religious images. They also met Mr. Norfenfoe
(European novelist) and Masner and Nordmenn (Austrian
scholars).
 May 24, 1887 they left Vienna, via river boat to see the
beautiful sights of the Danube river. The river voyage ended
in Lintz, afterwards they travelled on land to Salzburg and
from there Munich. In Munich, they had a short time
savouring the famous Munich beer (best beer in Germany).
 From Munich, they went to Nuremberg (oldest city in
Germany), were their impressed by the manufacturer of
dolls which was the biggest industry in the city.
Afterwards, they went to Ulm particularly he city
cathedral, they enjoyed they view upon reaching the top,
even though Viola felt dizzy and tried. - All they visit
Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall.
 June 2-3, 1887 they continued their trip on a boat and
reached Basel, Bern, Laussenne, and they cross to the
lake of Geneva.
 June 6, 1887 they reached Geneve, Switzerland. While in
Geneva, Rizal received sad news from his friends in Madrid
about the conditions of Igorots, who were exhibited in the 1887
Madrid Exposition, some of the natives died.
 June
19, 1887 it was 26th birthday, he treated Viola to a blow
out with a sumptuous meal. He also wrote a letter to
Blumentritt regarding Industrial exhibition.
 June 23, 1887 – Rizal and Viola parted ways. They both spent
15 days in Geneva. Viola returned to Barcelona and Rizal
continued his tour to Italy.
 June 24, 1887 Rizal went to Italy, and visited Turin, Milan,
Venice and Florence. - June 27, 1887 – he reached Rome and
visited famous architectural buildings.
 June 29, 1887 he visited the Vatican City. He has sightseeing
and was impressed by the magnificent edifice like St. Peter‘s
Church, the rare works of the art, the vast St. Peter‘s
Square, and the colourful Papal Guard. After a week travel in
Rome, he decided to return to the Philippines.