Chapter-9-Grand-Tour-in-Central-Europe-1.pdf

Life and work of rizal

1. (1887)
Grand Tour of
Central Europe
Prepared by:
Diane Batiancila

2. Section Outline for Chapter 9
A tour of two empires
Fisrt meeting with Blumentritt
The Igorot exhibition
Pilgrimage to Rome and the Vacation

3. A tour of two empires1.

4. Maximo Viola y Sison was a
propagandist, writer,
revolutionary leader and
doctor from Bulacan,
Philippines.
Maximo Viola

5. Reasons for the Grand Tour
During Rizal's time, Europe was considered as the center of the world, and
it was fashionable for young folks to make a Grand Tour. A Grand Tour
meant travel to several countries in Europe to complete the education of a
young person. "to see the world," so to speak, because Europe was the
world then. Just like young persons, these two Filipinos were on an
adventure to "see the world."
The Grand Tour of the two empires also included one republic, the Swiss
Federation.
Rizal by himself took a pilgrimage to Rome. Rome was the first republic in
history, the capital of a newly risen Italy, and home to the Vatican, center
of Catholicism. Many of these sites were destroyed by two world wars
later (World War I and World War II), so that they would never be the same
again. The First World War destroyed the Gen and the Austrian empires.

6. After the publication of the Noli, Rizal and his friend Maximo Viola wanted to have some
fun.Paciano remittance of P1000 had been sent to Rizal by Juan Luna from Paris.
Immediately, he paid Viola the loan for his living expenses and the printing of the Noli.
At last, the two went to springtime fling for two months (May 11 to June 29, 1887)
Tourists with good manners and right conduct
Rizal and Viola proved to be ideal tourists abroad.
The tour begins.
At dawn of Wednesday, May 11, 1887, the two small, colored men began their Grand
Tour. They took a train from Berlin Station which traveled along the Elbe Valley. The
train was the most modern way to travel in Europe at the time, and it enabled them to
cross two empires, from the German Empire to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
With spring in the air, the weather was milder and the scenery mo fresh and invigorating.
The two bachelors were excited about what! ahead. In particular, Rizal was on top of the
world. According to Vio Rizal's luggage included all the letters of congratulations that he
received from family and friends about the Noli.

7. First, Rizal and Viola visited Potsdam, the German city next to Berlin. Potsdam's lakes and
parks included the residential palaces of emperors (kaisers) of the German people. Its
university was a center of science education.
Dresden
Rizal and Viola tarried for some time in Dresden because "it was one of the best cities in
Germany."
Their visit coincided with the regional floral exposition, and Rizal was interested in botany.
He studied the "numerous plant varieties of extraordinary beauty and size."
They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer (1840-1911), the famous German anthropologist and
natural history collector, who was overjoyed to see them. At shop windows, they marveled
at how the famous "Dresden dolls," porcelain figures, got their delicate lace gowns.
In the Museum of Art, Rizal was deeply impressed by the painting of "Prometheus Bound."
He recalled a similar painting in Paris, and carved sculptures of Prometheus later.
According to the story, Prometheus predicted to his tormentors that, "A new Golden Age
shall come, brighter and better by far than the old!"

8. "Prometheus Bound."

9. The spiritual meaning of Prometheus' story deeply resonated in
Rizal. Indeed, one day, Rizal would be like Prometheus for his
people .
At the Dresden City Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Feodor Jagor.
They learned to use the telegraph,a new modern gadget and were
amazed that it could written messages over electric wires to
distant places.
Along the Elbe Valley railway route. Teschen (now Decin, Cze
Republic) was their next stopover, about 70 km south of Dresde
From there, Rizal and Viola sent the telegraphic wire to
Blumentritt, suggested by Dr. Jagor. Teschen had a baroque castle,
the home of the kings of Bohemia (formerly Czechoslovakia).

10. 2. First meeting with
Blumentritt

11. First meeting with Blumentritt
At 1:30 p.m. of Friday, May 13, 1887. Rizal and Viola arrived at the railroad station of Leitmeritz, Bohemia.
This area was then part of the powerful Austrian Empire. Professor Blumentritt, who had received their
wire, was at the station to meet them. He was carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which the latter had
previously mailed to him, so that he could identify his Filipino friend.
For the first time, two great scholars who were only pen pals before met in person. Rizal and Blumentritt
greeted each other in fluent German. Blumentritt was a kindhearted, old Austrian professor. Upon seeing
the talented Rizal for the first time, he immediately took him to heart, loving him like his own son.
Professor Blumentritt, the genial host, helped Rizal and Viola get a room at Hotel Krebs, after
which he brought them to meet his wife and family at his home. 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, 1887.
Beautiful memories of Leitmeritz
Rizal had beautiful memories of his visit to Leitmeritz. He enjoyed the warm hospitality 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 Dora or Dorita by Rizal), Conrad, and Fritz. In those
days, "Austrian" referred to all the multinational people living in the Austria- Hungarian Empire, even
though they were technically Czech, Hungarian, Serbian, Bosnian, etc.

12. Rizal's sketch for Blumentritt and his sketch of Blumentritt

19th century view of Leitmeritz

13. Blumentritt proved to be a great tourist guide as well as a hospitable host. He showed the scenic and historical
spots of Leitmeritz to his visitor .One afternoon he invited them to a beer garden where he said the best beer of
Bohemia was served. At nearby table there was a lively discussion among the drinkers about the advisability of
having the railroad pass through a neighboring town. One of the men in the group was the burgomaster (town
mayor) of the town
The burgomaster asked Rizal how long it took him to learn German. Rizal replied: "Eleven months, sir The
burgomaster was even more amazed, and in great admiration, he praised the "privileged talent" of Rizal.
Blumentritt embraced Rizal, telling him that few Germans could speak their own language as well as Rizal could.
On another afternoon 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 German to the officers and members,
praising Austria's idyllic scenes and its hospitable, nature-loving, and noble people. The audience wildly
applauded him, for they were enchanted by his exotic looks, and eloquence and fluency in German. Rizal, desiring
to commemorate his happy hours at the Blumentritt home, sketched a portrait of the kind professor and his
family and gave it to them. Blumentritt was pleased with the gift.
It was during his visit to Leitmeritz when Rizal met another renowned European scientist, Dr. Carlos Czepelak.
Blumentritt brought him to Czepelak's home, and Rizal had a nice conversation with this Polish scholar.
Blumentritt also introduced Rizal to Professor Robert Klutschak, an eminent naturalist.
On their last night in Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola, to reciprocate Blumentritt's hospitality, gave a banquet a
farewell 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 leave. They all shed tears in parting as the train slowly departed. It was to be their
only time together, although the two scholars continued their correspondence.

15. To his dying day, Rizal treasured his beautiful memories with Blumentritt and family. Throughout
their lifetime, the two scholars held each other in mutual affection and admiration. Until today,
the blumentritt family descendants, (now in vienna) to Blumenthal relationship included
maintain links with a Filipinos.
Their personal relationship included their families ,too. 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 I." wrote Rizal, "ared Dora, the professor's little friend Dora
is sick. We still remember her little blue eyes; we hear her merry laughter, and we see her little
teeth. Poor Dorita! I saw her run after us when the train was leaving! With all my heather prompt
recovery."
In another letter, written in Brunn, Austria, on May 19, 1887, three days after leaving Leitmeritz,
Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: "I shall make my good friends of Leitmeritz the objects of my thoughts
and I shall say of myself: You are not alone, Rizal. In a small corner of Bohemia there are good, noble,
and friendly souls who are like you. Think of them. Consider them as if they were with you, as if they
saw you. They will rejoice over your joys, and will weep over your suffering ... Please kiss the children
for me, express my greetings to your wife, and to your good father and the friends in Leitmeritz. I am
at heart an inhabitant of Leitmeritz, just as you yourself are a Filipino in sentiment. I believe Austria
will always live in my heart." " In the same letter, Rizal told Blumentritt that he forgot his diamond
stickpin at his room in Hotel Krebs. It was returned to him later.

16. Prague
After Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola visited the historic city of Prague. They carried letters of recommendation from
Blumentritt to Dr. Horst Willkomm, professor of natural history in the University of Prague.
Rizal and Viola visited the tomb of Copernicus, the famous astronomer, the museum of natural history; the
bacteriological laboratories; the famous cave where San Juan Nepomuceno, the Catholic saint, was
imprisoned; and the bridge from which this saint was hurled inte the river. After saying good-bye to Professor
Willkomm and his family, the two tourists went to Brunn. However, "nothing of importance happened" in this
city, according to Viola.
Vienna
On May 20, 1887, Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, the capital of the Austrian Empire,
Europe's second largest monarchy, next to Russia. Famous in song and story, the royal city fascinated Rizal
because of its beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting waltzes, and majestic charm. Vienna was truly
the "Queen of the Danube."
Vienna, Capital of the Austrian Empire Rizal and Viola, with a letter of recommendation from Blumentritt, met
Norfenfals, one of the greatest novelist in Europe during that time. This great Austrian novelist was favorably
impressed by Rizal, and years later he spoke highly of Rizal, "whose genius he so much admired."
In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin. It was found by a maid in Hotel Krebs, Leitmeritz, who
gave it to Blumentritt, who, in turn, forwarded it by mail to Rizal in Vienna.
Rizal and Viola stayed at the Hotel Metropole in Vienna. They visited the city's interesting places, such as
churches, museums, art galleries, theaters, and public parks. They met two good friends of Blumentritt
Masner and Nordmann, Austrian scholars.

17. Danubian cruise boat to Lintz.
On May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful
sights of the Danube River.
This is the beautiful "Blue Danube," which was featured in the famous the
barges loaded with products, walts of Johann Strauss Jr. As they traveled
along the famous river, Rizal teenly observed the river sights the flowers and
plants growing along the river banks, the boats with amilies living on them,
and the quaint villages on the riversides. They poticed that the passengers
on the river boat were using paper napkins during meals. This was a novelty
to them. His fellow passenger, Viola. commented that the paper napkins
were "more hygienic and economical than cloth napkins

18. Crossing the frontier to Switzerland
From Rheinfall, they crossed the frontier to Schaffhausen, Switzerland. They
stayed in this city from June 2 to 3, 1887. They continued their tour to Basel (Bale),
Bern, and Lausanne in Switzerland.
switzerland was one of the first modern republics in the wornic and it was the only
republic in Central Europe. In a were no kings and nobles, and no hereditary rulers.
The people elected their government leaders, who ruled for only a temporary tume
The republic limited the power of government at the time when kings and queens
power.
After sightseeing in Lausanne, Rizal and Viola left on a little boat crossing the foggy
Leman Lake to Geneva. This Swiss citytis one of the most beautiful cities in Europe,
visited by foreign tourists every year The people of Geneva were linguists, speaking
French, German, and Italian. Rizal conversed with them in these three languages.
Aside from visiting the tourist spots, Rizal and Viola went boating on the famous
lake. In this aquatic excursion, Rizal showed his rowing prowess which he acquired
during his boyhood days in Calamba.

19. From Lintz to Rheinfall
The river voyage ended in Lintz. They traveled overland to Salzburg, and
from there back to Germany and Munich where they sojourned for a short
time to savor the famous Munich beer, reputed to be the best in Germany.
19th Century German outdoor beer garden From Munich, they went to
Nuremberg. one of the oldest cities of Germany. Among the sights which
they saw in this city were the horrible torture machines used by the
Catholic Inquisition during the Middle Ages.
He and Viola were impressed by the manufacture of dolls which was the
biggest industry of the city, similar to Dresden.
Next, they visited Ulm. The cathedral of this city was "the largest and
tallest in all Germany." Viola related that he and Rizal climbed its many
hundred steps. He rested twice on the way to the tower and felt dizzy
upon reaching the top. Rizal, on the other hand, ascended without resting
and was not tired when he reached the top. From Ulm, they went to
Stuttgart, Baden, and then Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhine). At Rheinfall,
they saw the waterfall, "the most beautiful waterfall of Europe."

20. On June 19, 1887, Rizal treated Viola to a dinner in typical Filipino
custom because it was his 26th birthday. In the Western custom, the
friend would have paid the meal as a gift to him. Rizal and Viola spent
fifteen delightful days in Geneva.
On June 23, 1887, the two young friends said goodbye. Viola returned
to Barcelona, and Rizal continued the tour to Italy.

21. 3. The Igorot Exhibition

22. Rizal resents the Igorot exhibit at the 1887 Madrid Exposition
While Rizal and Viola were happily touring Central Europe, an Exposition was
held in Madrid, Spain. Upon reaching Geneva (Switzerland), Rizal received sad
news from his friends in Madrid of sufferings of the Igorot tribesfolk who were
forced to be exhibited at the exposition. Some Igorots got ill and one died. They
were mocked the and ridiculed by the Spanish people and Jothing (g-string) and
crude weapons. press for their primitive fellow compatriots from Blumentritt,
dated Geneva, Northern Luzon.
In a letter to his friend, June 6, 1887, he said:" "My poor compatriots (the Igorots)
who are now being exhibited in Madrid are mocked by Spanish newspapers, bet
El Liberal which says that it is not consistent with human dignity to be exhibited
side by side with animals and plahuman dignity everything possible to prevent
the display of this humiliation of my race, but I have not succeeded. Now one
Igorot tion died of pneumonia.

23. The Igorots were housed in a barraca (hut made of bamboo, grass, and tree bused in a
barraca Resumen still makes mean jokes about it!"
In another letter to Blumentritt, dated Geneva, June 19, 1887, Rizal şaid he was in
favor of holding an exposition, "but not an exhibition of odd individuals, showing our
compatriots as a curiosity to entertain the idle inhabitants of Madrid." He
emphatically reiterated, "We want an industrial exposition, but not an exhibition of
human beings who are compelled to live and die of nostalgia, pneumonia or typhus!"
Rizal would have also protested against the treatment of Igorots at the St. Louis
(Missouri) World Fair in 1903. A century later, attitudes changed, and the Igorots got
an apology.

24. 4. Pilgrimage to Rome
and the Vatican

25. Rizal in Italy
In Italy, Rizal saw the sites of the ancient Roman Empire and made a pilgrimage to the
Vatican, the capital of Romes Catholicism. He visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence. In
1879 Italy had just experienced the victory of nationalism, and its territories reunited after
centuries of hated rule by foreigners."
On June 27, 1887 Rizal reached Rome, the "Eternal City," the "City of the Caesars" He was
thrilled by its sights and history. Rizal had studied about the Roman Empire during his time
at Ateneo, and he was eager to see "the grandeur that was Rome."
As he wrote to Blumentritt on June 27, 1887: "I am in Rome! Everything I step on is the dust
of heroes Here I breathe the same air which the Roman heroes breathed. I salute every
statue with reverence, and to me, a humble native of a small island, it seems that I am in a
sanctuary. I have already seen the Capitolium, the Tarpeian Rock, the Palatinum, the Forum,
the Amphitheatre, etc. Everything here is glorious, except the cafes and the cafe singers. I
do not enter those (cafes) because I loathe to hear their French songs or see modern
industries. My favorite places are the Amphitheatre and the Roman Forum; there I remain
seated for hours, contemplating history and restoring life to the ruins... I have also visited
some churches and museums, like the Capitoline Museum and the Church of Santa Maria
Maggiore, which is also grandiose."

26. Pilgrimage to the Vatican.
When in Rome, Catholics do a pilgrimage to the center of their religion,
the Vatican. On June 29th, the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal
visited the Vatican, the "City of the Popes." The Vatican is a small
independent city within Rome, and the heads of the Catholic Church live
there.
Rizal was deeply impressed by the magnificent edifices. particularly St.
Peter's Basilica and the vast St. Peter's Square. He gazed at the majestic
and rare works of art from the period of the Renaissance, and observed
Swiss papal guards, dressed in the colorful their quaint umiforms. The
religious atmosphere seemed to confirm to him his fateful decision to
return home as soon as possible.
That night, he wrote to Blumentritt, "I am tired as a dog, but I will sleep
like a god tonight." He had completed the Grand Tour, the last part of his
European education. After a week's pleasant stay in Rome, he prepared
to return to the Philippines and his home.