Rizal’s Education
and Life Abroad
GRAND TOUR WITH VIOLA
 LEITMERITZ
 At 1:30 pm of May 13, 1887 – the train, with Rizal and Viola on board,
arrived at the railroad station of Leitmeritz, Bohemia for the first time, the
two great scholars – Rizal and Blumentritt – met in person.
 Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt – a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor
 VIENNA
 May 20, 1887 – Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna,
capital of Austria – Hungary.
 Vienna was truly the “Queen of Danube” because of its beautiful
building, religious images, haunting waltzes and majestic charm.
 What impressed him most were the archaic villages on the riversides,
which were serene and peaceful.
GRAND TOUR WITH VIOLA
 RHEINFALL
 The Cathedral of Ulm - the largest and tallest Cathedral in
Germany.
 Rizal and Viola climbed its many hundred steps. According to Viola, he
rested twice on the way to the tower to catch his breath, while Rizal
ascended continuously until he reached the top.
 From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then Rheinfall.
 At Rheinfall, they saw the waterfall, “the most beautiful waterfall
in Europe.”
GRAND TOUR WITH VIOLA

CROSSING THE FRONTIER TO SWITZERLAND

June 2 to 3, 1887 – stayed at Schaffhausen, Switzerland

GENEVA

The Swiss City is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, visited by world tourists every year.

Meanwhile, the two spent some afternoon on boating at Leman Lake.

June 19, 1887 – Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It was his 26th birthday. Rizal and Viola spent
fifteen delighted days in Geneva.

June 23, 1887 – Viola and Rizal parted ways – Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal
continued the tour to Italy.

Viola and Rizal parted ways – Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour to
Italy.

Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain – Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his
fellow countrymen, the Igorots of Northern Luzon.
RIZAL IN ITALY
 June 27, 1887 – Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City
of the Caesars.” Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City.
 Describing to Blumentritt, the “grandeur that was Rome,” he wrote on June 27,
1887.
 June 29, 1887 – the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first
time the Vatican, the “City of the Popes” and the capital of Christendom.
 Every night after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired.
“I am tired as dog, but I will sleep as a god” he wrote to Blumentritt.
 After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the
Philippines. He had already written to his father that he was coming home.