Rizal Marker Unveiled in Stuttgart

The Rizal marker in Hotel Marquardt, Stuttgart (Wagner marker on the left)

A Rizal marker was unveiled on 08 December 2012 at the former Hotel Marquardt, located at the intersection of Bolzstrasse and Königstrasse in the city center of Stuttgart, in honour of Dr Jose Rizal, Philippine foremost national hero. Rizal, together with his travelling companion Dr. Maximo Viola, stayed at the historic Hotel Marquardt on the evening of 31 May 1887.

The Rizal marker was installed on the front facade of the former Hotel Marquardt facing the Königstrasse, beside the memorial plaque of the world famous German composer, Richard Wagner. Like Rizal, Wagner was also a former guest of the hotel.

The inauguration of the Rizal marker in Stuttgart was organised and sponsored by the Marquardt Stuttgart Chapter under the leadership of Sir KArim-Azar Grajo KCR, Commander of the Marquardt Stuttgart Chapter.

A message from H.E. Maria Cleofe R.Natividad, Philippine Ambassador to germany was read by a staff member of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Stuttgart.

Several Ladies for Rizal  and Knights of Rizal from the Bonn Chapter, Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg, and other Filipino German guests attended the significant Rizalian event. Lady Helen Lacuna, President of the LFR Bonn Chapter and Sir Celso Lacuna, Area Commander for Germany attended the ceremonies. Also present during the affair was Dr Karin Fritz, current owner of the Marquardt building, who delivered a short message on the history of the Hotel Marquardt. Dr Karin Fritz said that the former Hotel Marquardt is now considered a historical site protected under the local laws of Stuttgart (Denkmalschutzgesetz) because of its unique architectural design and because of the famous personalities that stayed in the hotel. Aside from Jose Rizal and Richard Wagner, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Franz Lizst, Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin, Graf Helmuth von Moltke have also stayed in the hotel.

Text and Photo: Sir Celso Lacuna