Travel and Adventures of Dr.

Jose Rizal

Philippine National Hero: Dr. Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal is the most traveled Filipino hero in history. The travel and
adventure of Jose Rizal are an important facet of his education and
sophistication through which he learned the culture and politics of other
countries. Rizals first trip abroad was on 1882 bound for Spain. The travel
story of Jose Rizal constitutes part of his struggle to bring changes in his
native land.

Singapore

The first stop over of Rizal on his way to Spain is Singapore, which he spent for
sightseeing the city including its famed Botanical Garden, Buddhist temples, the
monument of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles, the founder of Singapore.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

It was Rizals journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka that was important for him to improve his
knowledge of the French language while on board a French ship, Djemnah.

Egypt

En route through the Suez Canal, Rizal got off at the Red Sea terminal and was
amazed by the impressive moonlight scenery in Suez and was engrossed with the
multicultural people and language of the place.

Italy

Rizal reached Naples, Italy and was briefly astounded by its dynamic citizens and the
picturesque wonders of the municipality particularly the Mount Vesuvius and the
Castle of St. Telmo

France

Rizal arrived at France for the first time at Marseilles, where he visited the Chateau
dlf, the fortress famous as the setting for Alexandre Dumas The Count of Monte
Cristo.

Spain

He arrived Barcelona, Spain where he met some Filipinos. He also made his first
nationalistic essay he wrote abroad, Amor Patrio which was later published in
Diarong Tagalog.

He left Barcelona for Madrid, to pursue his medical studies in the Universidad Central
de Madrid. He also took courses in Philosophy and Letters and took French, German,
and English lessons from private tutors.

France

On 1883, Rizal visited the French capital of France of France, where he was fascinated
by its architectural wonders (e.g. Place de la Concorde and the Arch of Triumph).

He visited the Leannec Hospital to observe and became an apprentice of Dr. Louis de
Weckert to specialized in ophthalmology

He also joined Free Masonry and was impressed with the freedom they enjoyed in
openly criticizing the government.

Germany

In Heiderlberg, Rizal worked as apprentice of Dr. Otto Becker and was able to visit
picturesque spots in the historical city including the Heidelberg Castle and the ancient
churches.

In Leipzig, he attended lectures in the University of Leipzig and worked on with his
mission of enlightening his Filipino brethren with inspiring stories by translating the
story of the Swiss independence and some of Hans Christian Andersens Fairy Tales to
Filipino.

In Dresden, he met Dr. Adolph Meyer and was impressed for the first time of the
spirituality of a Catholic Holy Mass

In Berlin, Rizal was captivated by its scientific atmosphere and absence of racial
discrimination. He wrote the Tagalog Metrical Art (Taglische Verkunst) and published
Noli Me Tangere.

In Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Rizal bonded with his close friend and professor, Ferdinand
Blumentritt

Czech Republic

In Prague, he met Dr. Willkomm from the University of Prague who toured him to the
citys historic spots including the tomb of Copernicus and the National History
Museum.

Austria

In Vienna, Rizal was met by a famous European novelist, Norfenfals, who toured him
to the churches, art galleries, and other tourists spots in the city especially along the
Danube Rivera.

In Salzburg, Rizal enjoyed the baroque architecture of the old town.

Bavaria

Rizal went to Munich and enjoyed its famous beer, to Nuremberg to see its doll
factory and Ulm to see the biggest cathedral in all of Germany.

Switzerland

Rizal saw Rhein falls, the largest plain waterfall in Europe and head towards other
Swiss cities Basel, Bern, and Lausanne.

Rizal was particularly fascinated with Geneva where the people speak French,
German, and Italian.

Italy

Rizal toured the Italys famous cities namely Milan, Venice and Florence, known for
their arts and culture.

He also visited the Vatican in Rome and was particularly overwhelmed by St. Peters
Church.

Hong Kong

Frustrated of the lack of progress of the reforms he was pushing through, Rizal went
to this British colony and stayed in the house of Jose Maria Basa

Macao

Rizal stayed in the house of Juan Lecaroz and observed a botanical garden.

Japan

Rizal stayed in Grand Hotel in Tokyo and observed the discipline and customs of the

Japanese people.

US

Rizal toured the US in 1888 which included San Francisco, California; Reno, Nevada;
Ogden, Provo and Salt Lake City in Utah; Denver, Colorado, Farmington, Connecticut;
Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; and finally, Alabany in New York City.

United Kingdom

From New York City, Rizal went to Liverpool and then London, England as he started
to conceptualize a continuation of his first novel.

While contributing writings and essays calling for reforms in La Solidaridad, Rizal
moved back and forth in England, France and Belgium during which he also wrote his
second novel, El Filibusterismo.

In June 1892, on board the ship Don Juan, he travelled back to the Philippines from
Hong Kong, which culminated the travel story of Jose Rizal abroad.

Philippines

Back in the Philippines, Rizals travel destinations in the Philippines included a visit to
Bulacan and Pampanga before he was finally exiled in Dapitan, in the province of
Zamboanga del Norte.

Rizal was brought back to Fort Santiago where he spent his last days until his
execution.