Jose Rizal, a 4th year student of University of Santo Tomas, was disgusted of the educational
system and racial issue there. So, he decided to leave UST and continue his studies in Europe
instead with the support of his older brother Paciano. He will study the life and laws in Europe
for Filipino liberation vs. Spanish imperialism.
A steamer carrying Rizal docked in Marseilles on Tuesday night, June 13, 1882.
Marseille – a major Mediterranean trading center in France
Rizal in Marseilles
Arrived in Marseilles on June 12, 1882 for a two-and-a-half-day visit.
Rizal went to Marseilles in order to ride in the train going to Barcelona
On June 15, 1882, Rizal left Marseilles riding train en route Barcelona via Bourdeaux and
Portbou.
Barcelona – Mediterranean center of tourism, economy, and culture in Spain.
Rizal was there from June 16, 1882 until the late part of the year.
He wrote “El Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) and on August 20, 1882 as his first
publication abroad and sent it to friend Basilio Teodora of Diariong Tagalog.
Rizal left Barcelona for Madrid in the end of 1882.
Madrid – capital of Kingdom of Spain.
Rizal enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid on Sept. 2, 1882 and took medical clinic,
surgical clinic, legal medicine, and obstetrical clinic.
He wrote “Me piden Versos” (They Asked Me for Verses) and “Las Dudas” (as Laong-
Laan)
Rizal left Paris for Madrid to attend his medicine degree.
Studied sculpting and painting at Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
Finished Licentiate in Medicine at Universidad Central de Madrid in 1884, Doctor of
Medicine in 1885.
Rizal, 24, boarded a train to Paris, where he would spend his summer vacation.
Paris – capital city of France
Practiced ophthalmology under Dr. Louis de Wecker at Crugen Clinic, 55 Rue Du
Cherche-Midi.
Sketched Miguel Morayta and sent to La Publicidad editor Sr. Eusebio Corominas.
Rizal left Paris for Germany on February 1, 1886
Heidelberg – a plateau within two mountains
Attended lectures of Dr. Otto Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at University of
Heidelberg.
Wrote “A Las Flores de Heidelberg,” which is about flowers at Neckar River on April 22,
1886.
Rizal left Heidelberg for Leipzig on August 9, 1886 and travelled through the cities by the Rhine
River on a train.
Rizal in Leipzig
Attended some lectures at University of Leipzig
Became the Filipino translator of Swiss Independence champion William Tell’s story
and H.C. Andersen’s fairy tales
Rizal in Dresden
Met Dr. Adolph Meyer, naturalist from Dresden University
Heard a mass in a Catholic Church
Rizal in Berlin
Became a researcher at Real Biblioteca de Berlin
Was with Maximo Viola. Thanks to his support, Noli Me Tangere was published here.