Marco Polo

Marco Polo - Miscellaneous, Life Achievements and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › ItalianMarco Polo12541,217 views

3 based on 3 rates
Marco Polo Biography Stories 

Marco Polo's Personal Details

Marco Polo was the legendary Italian merchant, explorer and traveler, who travelled to China and worked under emperor, Kublai Khan

InformationDetail
Birthday1254
Died onJanuary 9, 1324
NationalityItalian
FamousMiscellaneous, Explorers
SpousesDonata Badoer
ChildrensBellela Polo, Fantina Polo, Moretta Polo
Birth PlaceVenice
ReligionRoman Catholic
GenderMale
FatherNiccolò Polo
MotherNicole Anna Defuseh
Born inVenice
Died at Age70

// Famous Miscellaneous

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Marco Polo's photo

Who is Marco Polo?

One among the first Europeans to set foot on China, Marco Polo was the 13th century explorer, who as a teenager travelled along with his father and uncle to meet Emperor Kublai Khan in China. He spent several years in China, where he worked in the court of Kublai Khan, who was so impressed with Polo that he made him the ruler of one of his cities. He served in many high positions under the Chinese emperor, some of which include: serving as his representative, ambassador and governor of one of his provinces. When he returned home, after 24 years, he had gathered immense wealth, jewels and treasures and also brought to Venice fascinating tales about the Chinese way of life. Authored by Rustichello da Pisa, the book ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ is a detailed account of all his travel expeditions and experiences in China with Emperor Kublai Khan. After the publication of this book, he became a famous personality in Venice and inspired many others to travel, including Christopher Columbus. To learn more interesting facts about his childhood, personal life and interesting accounts about his travel expeditions and experiences, scroll down and continue to read the biography of Marco Polo.

// Famous Explorers

John Cabot

John Cabot

John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer who was the first European to discover the coast of North America. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, and achievements.

Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls is an adventurer popularly known for his bizarre survival tactics in reality television series Man vs. Wild. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline.

Henry Hudson

Henry Hudson

Henry Hudson was an early 17th century English navigator and explorer. This biography of Henry Hudson provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Childhood & Early Life

Marco Polo was born to Nicole Anna Defuseh and Niccol� Polo, a merchant who was on a trading expedition at the time of his birth. It is generally believed by the historians that he was born in Venice, Italy

In 1260, while his father and Uncle Maffeo Polo were trading in Constantinople, his mother passed way and he lived with his aunt and uncle. He soon became well versed with merchant trading.

In 1271, he along with his father, Niccol� Polo and uncle, Maffeo Polo commenced expedition to Asia. They travelled through Persia and Tartary.

Later Life

In 1274, after travelling for three years, they reached Cathay, Northern China. His father and uncle met Kublai Khan there and greeted him with papal letters, and they were appointed in the king’s court.

In 1275, he was chosen to be the official representative of Emperor Kublai Khan and joined the king on various missions, for which he travelled extensively all over China.

In the 1280s, he travelled to many parts of the Asian continent and he was subsequently appointed as the governor of one of the Kublai Khan’s cities.

In 1292, Kublai Khan got his daughter, Princess Cocachin married. Polo travelled along with the wedding party to Persia in a ship and they stopped in Borneo, Sumatra and Ceylon, among other places.

In 1295, after the death of Kublai Khan the previous year, 24 years after he had set on a voyage to China, he returned to Venice with a vast collection of fine jewels, riches and treasures.

On October 9, 1298, the Battle of Curzola between Venice and Genoa commenced and during this time he was captured and imprisoned for several months.

During his time in jail, he shared accounts of his travel experiences and expeditions with fellow inmate, Rustichello da Pisa, who later authored the book ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’.

In August 1299, he was released from prison, after which he travelled to his home in Venice, where his family had settled in a big bungalow.

He settled down in Venice and went on to become one of the affluent merchants in the city, who granted loans to other travellers who wished to go out on expeditions.

In 1300, the book ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ was released; the book becomes an instant bestseller and made him one of the most famous figures in Venice.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1300, he wedded Donata Badoer, who was the daughter of Vitale Badoer, a prosperous merchant. The couple had three daughters together, Fantina, Bellela and Moreta.

By 1323, he became very sick and bedridden and the following year he died at the age of 70 in Venice. He was laid to rest at the San Lorenzo di Venezia church.

Published in 1972, the book ‘Invisible cities’, written by Italo Calvino was based on the cities Marco Polo claimed to have visited and also his experiences in China.

The airport of Venice is named the Venice Marco Polo Airport, in his honour.

Trivia

This famous explorer and merchant did not meet his father until he was about fifteen or sixteen. In 1269, he met his father, Niccol� Polo for the first time, after Niccol� returned from his trading voyage.

This famous 13th century explorer, traveller and merchant travelled across the Gobi desert in order to reach China, this took several months and the desert was also said to be haunted by evil spirits.

Many historians speculate that this famous 13th century explorer and traveller did not actually travel to China because in his book he does not mention the Great Wall of China, chopsticks or any Chinese characters.

// Famous Italian peoples

Pietro Boselli

Pietro Boselli

Pietro Boselli is an Italian model, engineer, teacher, and fitness athlete who became famous as the ‘world’s sexiest math teacher’. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Guccio Gucci

Guccio Gucci

Guccio Gucci was a famous fashion designer from Florence, Italy, and the founder of the world-renowned fashion brand ‘Gucci.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

John Cabot

John Cabot

John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer who was the first European to discover the coast of North America. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, and achievements.

Marco Polo biography timelines

  • // 1254
    Marco Polo was born to Nicole Anna Defuseh and Niccol� Polo, a merchant who was on a trading expedition at the time of his birth. It is generally believed by the historians that he was born in Venice, Italy
  • // 1260
    In 1260, while his father and Uncle Maffeo Polo were trading in Constantinople, his mother passed way and he lived with his aunt and uncle. He soon became well versed with merchant trading.
  • // 1271
    In 1271, he along with his father, Niccol� Polo and uncle, Maffeo Polo commenced expedition to Asia. They travelled through Persia and Tartary.
  • // 1274
    In 1274, after travelling for three years, they reached Cathay, Northern China. His father and uncle met Kublai Khan there and greeted him with papal letters, and they were appointed in the king’s court.
  • // 1275
    In 1275, he was chosen to be the official representative of Emperor Kublai Khan and joined the king on various missions, for which he travelled extensively all over China.
  • // 1292
    In 1292, Kublai Khan got his daughter, Princess Cocachin married. Polo travelled along with the wedding party to Persia in a ship and they stopped in Borneo, Sumatra and Ceylon, among other places.
  • // 1295
    In 1295, after the death of Kublai Khan the previous year, 24 years after he had set on a voyage to China, he returned to Venice with a vast collection of fine jewels, riches and treasures.
  • // 9th Oct 1298
    On October 9, 1298, the Battle of Curzola between Venice and Genoa commenced and during this time he was captured and imprisoned for several months.
  • // Aug 1299
    In August 1299, he was released from prison, after which he travelled to his home in Venice, where his family had settled in a big bungalow.
  • // 1300
    In 1300, the book ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ was released; the book becomes an instant bestseller and made him one of the most famous figures in Venice.
  • // 1300
    In 1300, he wedded Donata Badoer, who was the daughter of Vitale Badoer, a prosperous merchant. The couple had three daughters together, Fantina, Bellela and Moreta.
  • // 8th Jan 1324
    By 1323, he became very sick and bedridden and the following year he died at the age of 70 in Venice. He was laid to rest at the San Lorenzo di Venezia church.

Marco Polo's FAQ

  • When was Marco Polo died?

    Marco Polo was died at 1324-01-09

  • Where was Marco Polo died?

    Marco Polo was died in Venice

  • Which age was Marco Polo died?

    Marco Polo was died at age 70

  • Where is Marco Polo's birth place?

    Marco Polo was born in Venice

  • What is Marco Polo nationalities?

    Marco Polo's nationalities is Italian

  • Who is Marco Polo spouses?

    Marco Polo's spouses is Donata Badoer

  • Who is Marco Polo childrens?

    Marco Polo's childrens is Bellela Polo, Fantina Polo, Moretta Polo

  • What is Marco Polo's religion?

    Marco Polo's religion is Roman Catholic

  • Who is Marco Polo's father?

    Marco Polo's father is Niccolò Polo

  • Who is Marco Polo's mother?

    Marco Polo's mother is Nicole Anna Defuseh