Jose Rizal the Philippine National hero, spent sometime in Europe.  He even published his last novel in Belgium and the original copy can be found in the museum in Fort Santiago, Manila stating the city where it was published Ghent.

On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium. He lived in a boarding house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne which was run by two Jaceby sisters.

Here, Rizal was busy writing his second and controversial novel “El Filibusterismo”.

On July 5, 1891, Rizal left Brussels for Ghent a famous university city. He stayed at Ghent because the cost of printing is cheaper. Rizal had limited funds and lived in a cheap boarding house.

After his arrival, Rizal searched for the printing shop that could give him the lowest quotation for the publication of his novel. He found out that F. Meyer-Van Loo Press was willing to print his book on installment basis. He pawned all his jewels to pay the down payment and early partial payments. He had received money from a friend,  Basa and 200 pesos from another for the copies of Morga’s Sucesos which were sold in Manila.

Ventura, his friend  learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent him the necessary funds. With his financial aid, the printing of Fili was resumed. The El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the martyrdom of the Gom-Bur-Za (Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora).

When I had the chance to visit Ghent I tried looking for the place where Rizal stayed.  I was told in the past that it no longer exists but a marker can be found stating that the Philippine National Hero once lived there.

Today it is now occupied by McDonalds.  We passed the place when my friend and I took the horse carriage for a city tour.  Unfortunately, we were so exhausted walking for days so we were not able to go back to take the photo of the marker.

However you can see from the photos below beauty of this medieval city where Rizal once lived.