Summary
Highlights
Jose Rizal left the Philippines for the first time in 1882 aboard the SS Salvadora, bound for Spain. His journey involved stops in Singapore and Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he observed the picturesque but melancholy scenery of Punta de Galias. He also landed in Aden, Yemen, and was thrilled by the Suez Canal, an architectural marvel. He then arrived in Naples, Italy, where he was highly impressed by its panoramic beauty.
On June 12, 1882, Rizal's boat anchored in Marseille, France. During his stay, he visited historical sites, including the Chateau d’If, famously depicted in "The Count of Monte Cristo." It was during this period that he penned "Amor Patrio" (Love of Country), a nationalistic essay inspired by his homeland. This article, published in the Manila newspaper Diyaryong Tagalog, marked his first literary work produced abroad and was later translated into Tagalog by Marcelo H. del Pilar.
In September 1882, Rizal moved from Barcelona to Madrid, where he enrolled simultaneously in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the Central University of Madrid. He also took private lessons in painting, sculpture, and foreign languages like French, German, and English. Rizal joined a Masonic organization, aiming to leverage freemasonry's support for reforms in the Philippines. He clarified that his grievances were with the abuses of the Catholic Church, not the religion itself.
Rizal excelled in his studies, completing his medical degree in 1884 and passing all subjects to become a Doctor of Medicine, though he did not receive his diploma due to financial constraints. He also earned a licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with an excellent grade. He pursued ophthalmology, working under prominent French ophthalmologist Dr. Louis de Wecker in Paris and later under Dr. Otto Becker in Heidelberg, Germany. He was fascinated by Berlin's scientific atmosphere and lack of racial prejudice, meeting renowned figures like Dr. Feodor Jagor and Dr. Rudolf Virchow.
Rizal stayed in Berlin to further his knowledge in ophthalmology, improve his studies in sciences and languages, observe European political conditions, and associate with German scientists and scholars. He found inspiration in Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to write his own novel, "Noli Me Tángere," which mirrored the social and racial injustices in the Philippines. Despite financial hardship during the winter of 1886, he persevered, with Dr. Maximo Viola providing crucial financial assistance for the book's printing.
Noli Me Tángere was finally printed on March 21, 1887, by Berliner Buchdruckerei-Aktiengesellschaft for 300 pesos for 2,000 copies. The novel's cover was designed by Rizal himself, with significant symbolic elements. Following its publication, Rizal embarked on a grand tour of Europe with Maximo Viola, visiting cities like Dresden, Prague, Vienna, and Switzerland. He was particularly impressed by the beauty of Vienna and the Rhine Falls. The tour concluded with Rizal returning to the Philippines on June 29, 1887, stating his intention to come home.