Melo Villareal
LIST: Where to Find Jose Rizal Statues, Markers, and Monuments in 19 Cities outside the Philippines
Dr. Jose Rizal is recognized as the national hero of the Philippines. But did you know that other countries also recognize his literary and scientific contributions to the world? It’s a known fact that Rizal traveled to several countries in his lifetime. And in some of them, monuments were erected to celebrate his heroism. If you’re curious, here are some of the Jose Rizal monuments you can find outside the Philippines!
Rizal Monument in Madrid, Spain
The Jose Rizal monument in Spain replicates his iconic Luneta monument in Manila. Many people know that Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1896 for rebellion, resulting in Philippine independence. But before this encounter, Rizal lived and studied in Spain, pursuing a degree in medicine at Universidad Central de Madrid. And at present, a monument stands at the Avenida de las Islas Filipinas and Calle Santander junction in Madrid. The Philippine Embassy in Spain also offers a walking tour wherein you can see the historical places associated with the national hero.
Jose Rizal Square in Jinjiang, China
One of the most significant Rizal structures you’ll ever see is this monument in Jinjiang City. The monument stands 18.61 feet tall, with the construction formally started in 2003. The country recognizes Rizal’s Chinese roots, which are said to be traced to the Ke family ancestors. The bronze monument is perched at the center of Jose Rizal Square, surrounded by beautiful flowers and greenery.
Jose Rizal Park in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany
In Germany, you’ll find a tall, bronze statue of Jose Rizal holding a quill and a faraway gaze. Located in an out-of-the-way village buried deep in the Odenwald Forest about 25 kilometers from Heidelberg, there’s a statue and park dedicated to Dr. Jose Rizal. This was made by Filipino sculptor Anastacio Caedo.
The statue stands in the aptly named Rizal Park, which was opened in 1978. The site marker mentions Rizal’s “exemplary social and political commitment.” Rizal had also studied in Germany, attending lectures on ophthalmology at Alte Universitat. Rizal lived a modest life in Germany as a student, prompting him to write A Las Flores de Heidelberg, a poem about the town with hints of longing for the Philippines.
José Rizal historical marker at Heidelberg, Germany
Location: University Eye Clinic at Bergheimer Straße 20, Heidelberg, Germany
According to an article written by Ramon M. Roda, a retired professor of Spanish and Rizal courses in Manila who had visited Heidelberg in 1998, Rizal had studied the German language, attended lectures in ophthalmology as an observer at the Alte Universitat (Germany’s oldest university founded in 1386), and trained under two outstanding ophthalmologists in the university eye-clinic in Heidelberg. Rizal was only 25 years old when he first arrived in Heidelberg, Germany.
Jose Rizal bust in Prague, Czech Republic
Filipino sculptor Jose Giroy was the one who created the masterpiece that is the Jose Rizal bust, which was unveiled at the Czech National Bank. The bust aims to commemorate the hero’s visit to Prague in 1887 with a friend who toured the Czech capital and met with scientists. The bust is now a must-see attraction in the city for tourists to appreciate Rizal’s history in the country.
Dr. Jose Rizal Monument in Chicago, USA
The Jose Rizal sculpture was installed in 1999 on N. Marine Drive in Chicago, Illinois. The monument commemorates the 100th anniversary of Philippine independence and Jose Rizal as a revolutionary martyr. It was in the year 1994 when the members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal and the Ladies of Rizal campaigned to install a monument in Lincoln Park. The sculpture was made by Antonio “Lito” Mondejar.
Jose Rizal Monument in Rome, Italy
In Rome, Italy, you’ll find a life-sized bronze statue of Jose Rizal in Piazzale Manila. With the help of Josephine Bantug, a relative of Dr. Jose Rizal, the monument was added to commemorate the 150th birthday of the hero. It can be recalled that Rizal also visited Italy while traveling in Europe. He also wrote about his fondness for Italy during his stay.
Rizal Bust at Hibiya Park, Tokyo
This bronze bust stands on the perimeter trail of Hibiya Park in Tokyo. It was put there in 1998, on the centennial anniversary of Philippine independence, to the historical marker in Tokyo Hotel, where Rizal had stayed in 1888. Some events, such as Rizal’s birth, are held here to commemorate the hero.
Dr. Jose Rizal’s Bust in Montreal, Canada
The Philippine government presented the waist-length bust of Jose Rizal in Montreal, Canada, to the Ville de Montreal. It was sculpted by Toym Imao, son of another renowned Philippine artist Abdulmari Imao Sr. It was one of the 24 busts created by the artist. The bust can be found at Parc Mackenzie-King.
Dr. Jose Rizal Monument in Markham, Ontario, Canada
Location: Luneta Gardens at Boxgrove Community Park in Markham Ontario
The monument was unveiled on June 10, 2019. During the unveiling, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, former Markham councilor Alex Chiu and Philippine Deputy Consul General Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez were present. The monument is the latest addition to Markham’s public art collection created by a partnership between the Filipino Canadian community of Markham and the city.
Jose Rizal Park and Bridge in Seattle, USA
In Seattle, they don’t only have a monument dedicated to Jose Rizal–they also have a park and a bridge named after him! Rizal Park and Bridge in Seattle was dedicated by Mayor Charles Royer and Philippine Consul General Ernesto Qerubin. The park and bridge at Seattle’s Beacon Hill were renamed after the hero to symbolize Filipino-American pride, as the Filipino Alumni Association requested.
Dr. Jose Rizal’s Plaque in London
Dr. Jose Rizal was 26 years old when he lived in London for less than a year to meet with influential Orientalists in Europe. It was also in London where he formed Philippine Studies. In honor of Rizal living in London in 1888, a blue ceramic plaque was installed in 1983 by the Greater London Council. The inscription reads, “Dr. Jose Rizal 1861-1896 Writer and national hero of the Philippines lived here.”
Rizal Monument in Carson, California
It was in December 2004 when community leaders of the Filipino-American community voted to form a Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement by erecting a Rizal statue in California. It came to fruition eight years later when the 15-ft tall was unveiled at the International Sculpture Garden in Carson. The monument was also created by Filipino artist Toym Imao. The monument aims to foster patriotism and unity among Filipinos in the USA.
Jose P. Rizal Monument in Honolulu, Hawaii
A life-sized statue of Dr. Jose Rizall can also be found in Honolulu, Hawaii, specifically along the downtown Nu’uanu Stream. Several sculptures, statues, and memorials are lined at the College Walk on North Beretania Street. The Filipina Society of Hawaii donated the statue in cooperation with Oahu Filipino Community Council and Laoag City Lions Club.
Rizal Marker in Hong Kong
A marker that honors Jose Rizal can also be found in Hong Kong. Rizal also made history here, as it is where he reportedly planned the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization. It was also in Hong Kong where he practiced as an ophthalmic surgeon and spent some time with his family before he got arrested by the Spaniards. The marker says that Rizal lived in his area with his family from 1891 to 1892.
Place Jose Rizal in Paris, France
Another park that features the Philippine national hero is Place Jose Rizal in Paris, France. It is known to many that Jose Rizal spent some time in France in the apartment of his dear friend Valentin Ventura. It was in France when Rizal was inspired by French writers and where he wrote manuscripts and articles for La Solidaridad. The marker of Place Jose Rizal is opposite the apartment where he stayed during his time in Paris.
Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal’s bust in Sydney, Australia
Installed in 1995, this bronze bust was made by artist Haldane Holman. Rizal is among a series of busts displayed in Plaza Iberoamericana and was gifted by John Holland from the Philippines to the City of Sydney in 1995. On the plaque, an inscription mentions the hero’s name, birthdate, birthplace, and date of death. The note also says, “Dr. Jose Rizal was the first to inspire Filipinos to regard themselves as a nation and to cherish the Philippines as their fatherland.”
Rizal Monument in Singapore
Jose Rizal had a 2-day stopover in Singapore in 1882 before he left for Europe in May of the same year. In 2005, a memorial was unveiled near the Asian Civilization Museum. This was to commemorate the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s birth and was initiated by the National Heritage Board of Singapore.
Dr. Jose Rizal’s bronze bust in Lima, Peru
Location: Jose Rizal Park in Lima, Peru
In 2008, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated the first Jose Rizal Park in Lima, Peru. It is the first public park in Peru named after a national hero of a foreign country and the first to have such a monument.
The bronze bust was designed by Czech sculptor Libor Piszlac who hails from Litomerice in the Czech Republic. It was donated by Hans Gunter Schoof — a German married to a Filipina from Baclayon, Bohol — who was a passionate admirer of Rizal.
The bust is mounted atop a quadrilateral pedestal, decorated with four inaugural plaque markers on each side.
Inscribed in one marker are the words: “Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Heroe Nacional de Filipinas, Nacionalista, Reformador Political, Escritor, Linguistica y Poeta, 1861-1896.”
These are just a few examples of the many Jose Rizal parks, monuments, markers, and memorials located around the world, which serve as a reminder of his legacy and contributions to the Philippines and the world.
Have you seen any of these Rizal monuments? Have you seen any Jose Rizal Monuments, Statues, and Markers outside the Philippines that are not listed here? Let us know in the comment section below!
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