due to the travels and writings of marco polo

Already into their journey, they heard that their friend Gregory X had been made pope, so they went back to Acre where they were given two friars to accompany them, along with all the relevant documents to take to China. They had waited two years for a new pontiff to be chosen, after the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268, but were impatient to leave. When they were prepared for the return to China in 1269, Marco accompanied them. Niccolò met his son Marco for the first time then, when Marco was already 15. The brothers left China in 1266 and, three years later, reached Venice.

He had apparently never met Europeans and, besides asking many questions, he requested that they return and bring him letters from the Pope and 100 learned men versed in the seven arts, as well as oil from the sacred lamp at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They met with Kublai Khan in Dadu, now Beijing. They had liquidated property in 1260, when the political climate was changing in Constantinople, where they were residing, and bought jewels as assets. The brothers developed commercial dealings with the East as merchants, trading in jewels. Marco‘s father Niccolò and his brother Maffeo were the first Europeans to gain an audience with the Great Khan.

He is known for his travelogue “Il Milione” (translated in English as “Book of the Marvels of the World”), where he recounts his travels and experiences through Asia, Persia, China, and Indonesia between 12, introducing that little-known worlds to Europeans of the Middle Ages. As we get ready to mark Marco Polo's death anniversary on January 8, we look at the life and adventures of one of the greatest explorers of all times.

Due to the travels and writings of marco polo