Meet Marco Polo, a Venetian explorer famous for his book The Travels of Marco Polo, where he shares his exciting journey and experiences in Asia in the late 13th century CE. Although uncertainties persist about the exact places he visited and what he witnessed, Marco Polo maintains his standing as one of the most renowned explorers in history.
Born in 1254 to a wealthy merchant family in Venice, Marco faced a tough start as his mother passed away soon after his birth. At just 17 years old, he joined his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, on their second trip to East Asia.
The mosaic of Marco Polo displayed in the Palazzo Doria-Tursi, Genoa, Italy
The Polos set out on a land journey, facing harsh and unforgiving terrain. They moved slowly through deserts, high mountains, and rugged landscapes, encountering people of diverse cultures and faiths. Yet, Polo embraced the adventure wholeheartedly. His memory of the places and cultures he discovered was astonishingly accurate.
At times, they rested for months to recover from exhaustion or illness or while waiting for fellow travelers to join, forming a guarded caravan to navigate the dangers of the wild lands infested by bandits.
Nearly four years later, the Polos reached China and met Kublai Khan. He was in his summer palace called Shangdu (also known as Xanadu), a splendid marble marvel that left young Polo in awe.
A statue of the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan at Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (photograph by A. Omer Karamollaoglu)
Kublai Khan, who often relied on foreigners to help manage his empire, was the perfect host for welcoming a traveler like Marco Polo. Niccolo and Maffeo secured roles within the Khan’s Court, while Marco gained a lasting appointment as the Khan’s envoy, giving him extraordinary access to the vast Mongol Empire.
In his role, Polo not only traveled extensively but also studied local languages and diligently took notes. His dedication led him to ascend the ranks—becoming a governor, a Privy Council member, and a tax inspector.
The Polos initially planned a short journey, but their stay in China extended to 17 years. It wasn’t until 1292 that they departed, as the Khan, albeit reluctantly, allowed them to leave. But first, they must accompany a princess on a journey to marry another Mongol ruler, Arghun, in Persia.
They finally returned home in 1295, a year following Kublai Khan’s passing. Their absence had spanned more than two decades, making their reunion with their homeland a challenge. Their appearances seemed unfamiliar to their family, and they encountered difficulties speaking their native language.
Map of Marco Polo’s travels
Marco remained loyal to his hometown and took part in a war against Genoa, Venice’s rival. He served as a sea captain but got injured and was captured. While in prison, he met a writer Rustichello of Pisa (also known as Rusticiano), and together they created a manuscript titled Description of the World, better known as The Travels of Marco Polo.
Drawing from his adventure notes, Marco Polo vividly depicted Kublai Khan, his palaces, and remarkable innovations like paper money, coal, postal service, and eyeglasses—things new to Europe. He also shared stories, some exaggerated, about warfare, trade, geography, court intrigues, and the customs of people under Mongol rule.
It’s worth noting that the book’s prologue states from the beginning that it’s a mix of Marco’s own experiences and what others told him, including legends and rumors.
The book propelled Polo to fame. It was published in French, Italian, and Latin, captivating readers across Europe. Still, many found it hard to accept Polo’s account as truth. They viewed it as a creation of his vivid imagination rather than reality. Despite this, Polo staunchly defended his work.
After his release from prison, Marco Polo led a quiet life. He got married and had three daughters, dedicating around 25 years to the family business. He passed away in Venice at 70 years old. During his final moments, friends and admirers of his book came to visit, urging him to admit that his tales were fiction. Yet, Polo held his ground, stating:
I did not write half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed.
In the years after he passed away, Marco Polo finally earned the acknowledgment he didn’t get when he was alive. Many of the things he talked about have been confirmed by researchers, scholars, and explorers. Even if some of what he shared was learned from others he encountered, Polo’s book has motivated numerous adventurers to explore the world. About two hundred years after Polo died, Christopher Columbus set sail on a journey across the Atlantic to find a new way to the East. He carried a copy of Polo’s book with him.
Editors’ finds
App: Artoguide provides bite-sized art insights to make you discover museum masterpieces in a unique way. (sponsored)
Documentary: In the Footsteps of Marco Polo
Words of wisdom
“Not all those who wander are lost.” ―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ―Mahatma Gandhi
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ―Andre Gide
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ―Lao Tzu
Bibliography
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