Marco Polo: The Explorer Who Connected East and West

Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant who began his journey to China in 1271. His feat is considered the most famous crossing of the Middle Ages. Together with his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo, he embarked on a journey on the Silk Road, which took him to the court of Emperor Kublai Khan in 1275. His stay in China lasted almost 17 years. The merchant became a court official and explored various regions of the Mongol empire.

He wrote and documented his observations on China’s culture, economy and geography, and highlighted innovations such as gunpowder, paste and the use of paper currency. His book, “The Travels of Marco Polo,” published in 1298, aroused Europe’s interest in Asia and its riches. When he returned to Venice the locals did not believe his stories, however his influence endured and transformed European perception of the Far East.