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Travels of Marco Polo
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Prester John
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Travels of Marco Polo

work by Polo
Also known as: “Divisament dou monde”, “Il milione”
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Prester John
Prester John The Kereit ruler Wang Khan as Prester John, illustration from The Travels of Marco Polo, 15th century.

The Travels of Marco Polo, also known as Il milione, is a classic work of travel literature. It details the journeys of Venetian merchant Marco Polo, who traveled from Europe to Asia in the late 13th century, spending 17 years in China.1

Polo, accompanied by his father and uncle, embarked on his journey from Venice around age 15 or 16. They traveled extensively through Asia, reaching the court of Mongol emperor Kublai Khan. Polo served as an advisor and emissary for the Khan, undertaking fact-finding missions to various parts of the vast empire.21

Upon his return to Venice, Polo was imprisoned by the Genoese. During his captivity, he dictated his experiences to Rustichello da Pisa, resulting in the Travels of Marco Polo. This work provided Europeans with new geographic information and insights into Asian cultures, significantly influencing the age of European exploration.21

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  1. Marco Polo: Top Questions
  2. Marco Polo

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