Seven hundred years ago, one of the most renowned figures in the history of the Serenissima passed away in Venice: Marco Polo, famous not only for his extensive travels and years spent in the East, particularly in China but also for the account he left of this experience. His book “Il Milione,” also known as “The Book of Marvels,” is considered the first reliable and comprehensive account of the East, as well as the first contribution to mutual understanding between Asia and Europe. It contains depictions not only of China and the Asian continent but also, for the first time, of the vast world of islands, from Japan to Madagascar.
Marco Polo’s story has even managed to transcend geographical boundaries and centuries, reaching us today and becoming social. As a matter of fact, on the channels of Venezia Serenissima, the official profile where one can follow the events celebrating the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, the column #LeViediMarcoPolo kicks off today.
It consists of a series of reels featuring the life and adventures of the famous Venetian traveller, who continues to write the pages of an imaginary, never-ending tale. Specifically, a team of professors and researchers from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, led by Professor Eugenio Burgio, was involved in the creation of short videos in various areas of Venice's historic centre.
From now on, every Thursday in the coming weeks, different themes related not only to Marco Polo and his family but also to the historical and cultural context of his travels and the traveller’s movements will be addressed. Topics will include his predecessors, the places explored by the Polos, the customs and traditions of the Mongol people who hosted Marco, his father, and his uncle for years, the geographical knowledge of the time, and much more.
To stay updated on Marco Polo's adventures, follow the official social media profiles: