Madrid, Spain
12 September 2014
This shows the different places associated with Dr. Jose Rizal while in Madrid.
a. Congreso de los Diputados (formerly Las Cortes Españolas)
The Filipino community lobbied in this building for the recognition of the Filipinos’ right to autonomy and for equal rights with Spanish citizens.
b. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Madrid, C/. Atocha (where Rizal studied)
It was here where Rizal studied medicine. He began his medical studies on October 2, 1882 and finished it two years later in June 1884. After some time, Rizal decided to go to Paris to specialize in ophthalmology to cure her mother’s eyes.
c. Calle Amor de Dios 13-15
The place of where Rizal took up residence from September 12, 1882 to May 1883 when he first arrived in Madrid. He lived here with Vicente Gonzalez, an old friend from his Ateneo de Manila days. The house could have been chosen out of convenience since it was near the university and the atelier in which Rizal’s interest in the arts developed into fine form. He could therefore save on transportation costs.
d. Calle Ventura de la Vega (formerly C/. Baño 15, piso principal or 1º)
This was the residence of D. Pablo Ortiga y Rey, vice president of the Consejo de Filipinas and the headquarters of Circulo Hispano Filipino. In a letter to this family dated October 10, 1882, Rizal mentioned having boarded here from 1883 (autumn) to August 1884, apparently on a temporary basis since the following entries would indicate that he had other places of residence in Madrid.
e. Viva Madrid (C/. Manuel Fernandez y Gonzalez, 7)
Famous for its beautiful murals of azulejos or glazed tiles, Viva Madrid had been a favorite hangout area of Rizal where he would take his light meals with wine. A marker proudly exhibited in the establishment mentions its association with the Filipino community in Madrid at that time. This place would tell us that it was not “all work and no play” for our national hero.
f. Hotel Inglés (C/. Echegaray)
It is a place where the Filipino community in Madrid marked or celebrated its most important events. In 1884, this was the venue for the banquet in honor of Luna and Hidalgo. The place retains its 19th century ambience and has, at the lobby, a marker indicating the year of its construction, the representative menu then, and the events celebrated there such as zarzuelas, musical presentations and plays.
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