How a 13th-century merchant opened Europe's eyes to the East

History · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before the Age of Discovery, most Europeans had no concept of the vastness of Asia. That changed when Marco Polo returned from a 24-year odyssey, carrying stories of a world so advanced and wealthy it felt like myth. His writings didn't just describe lands; they mapped a new reality.

In 1271, at the age of 17, Marco Polo departed Venice with his father, Niccolò, and uncle, Maffeo. They were not mere wanderers but shrewd merchants who had already established wealth and prestige through trade in the Middle East. Their journey was a calculated move; by approximately 1260, they recognized shifting political tides in Constantinople and liquidated their assets into jewels to fund an expedition toward the Mongol Empire. The family's status in Venice was not clearly defined by nobility. They were part of a city rooted in republican and mercantile traditions. Their move toward the Volga River was specifically aimed at reaching Berke Khan's court.

The Polos traveled via caravan along ancient trade routes, eventually reaching China in 1275. They spent 17 of their 24 years in the East, serving as ambassadors for Kublai Khan. During this time, they managed affairs so successfully at the court of Berke Khan that they reportedly doubled their assets. Their proximity to power allowed them to witness and record geographic information and cultural nuances that were entirely unknown to Western civilization. The group eventually reached the grand khan’s summer residence at Shangdu. While there, they were tasked with requesting that the pope send one hundred intelligent men to China. They also carried a request to retrieve oil from a specific lamp in Jerusalem.

Upon returning to Venice, Polo's account—known as 'The Travels of Marco Polo' or 'Il milione'—became a foundational text for European navigation. While some may view it as mere travelogue, the wealth of geographic data provided by the Polos served as a primary blueprint for future explorers. His journey was paved by generations of family trade, transitioning from local commerce to a global odyssey that fundamentally altered Europe's geopolitical imagination. The narrative of his journey was immortalized in literature by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His experiences were built upon the pioneering efforts of his ancestors. These records provided navigators with essential geographic information that remained unknown to the West.

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