Marco Polo’s way was paved by the pioneering efforts of his ancestors, particularly his father, Niccolò, and his uncle, Maffeo.

The Polo family had engaged in trade with the Middle East for a long time, amassing considerable wealth and prestige.

Around 1260, the Polos foresaw a political shift in Constantinople (such as the overthrow of the Crusaders who had ruled since 1204 by Michael VIII Palaeologus in 1261).

They liquidated their property in Constantinople, invested their capital in jewels, and set off for the Volga River.

Political events prevented their return to Venice, so they continued their journey eastward.

They reached Bukhara (also known as Bokhara) and eventually concluded their travels around 1265, likely at the grand khan’s summer residence, Shangdu (immortalized as Xanadu by English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge).

Marco Polo’s experiences and observations during his extensive travels were compiled into a work known as “Il milione” (or “The Million”), which later became famous as “The Travels of Marco Polo”.

This travelogue, written down by Rustichello da Pisa based on stories told by Marco Polo, is a classic of travel literature.