Marco Polo
Marco Polo, the celebrated explorer and author of Il Milione, is renowned for his vivid descriptions of China and other Asian territories. His book remains one of the most significant early European accounts of the East, offering insights into its people, culture, and commerce. At the age of 17, Marco embarked on an extraordinary journey alongside his father, Niccolò, and uncle, Mateo, traveling from Venice to China. Their expedition, which lasted over three arduous years, marked the beginning of Marco’s remarkable adventures. From 1275 to 1291, he served as an advisor at the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongolian emperor, where he was entrusted with important missions and gained firsthand knowledge of the vast empire.
The fate of Marco Polo’s life took a dramatic turn in 1298, during one of the greatest naval battles of the Middle Ages, fought near the island of Korčula, off the promontory of Ražnjić in Lumbarda. The clash was part of the ongoing rivalry between the maritime powers of Venice and Genoa. The Venetian fleet, consisting of 96 galleys and three large ships, faced the Genoese fleet of 85 galleys. This battle was unparalleled in scale for its time, matched only by the Venetian fleet’s participation in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
The engagement began Sunday morning, September 7, 1298, and raged fiercely throughout the day. As the afternoon waned, 16 Genoese galleys, delayed at Otranto, arrived unexpectedly from the direction of Mljet. They launched a surprise attack on the exhausted Venetian flank, employing a tactical reserve strategy that had proved effective in other battles. This decisive manoeuvre tipped the scales in Genoa’s favour.
Under the command of Admiral Lamba D’Oria, the Genoese secured a resounding victory. The Venetian fleet suffered catastrophic losses: 18 galleys were sunk, 66 captured (and later burned on the shores of Korčula, as towing them to Genoa was impossible), and over 7,000 sailors, soldiers, and rowers perished. An additional 7,400 Venetians, including Marco Polo, were taken prisoner. Among the Venetian losses was the flagship of Admiral Andrea Dandolo, and the galley commanded by Marco Polo—a formidable 120-oar vessel—was destroyed.
Marco Polo’s courage during the battle did not go unnoticed. It was recorded that he « threw himself and his galley to the forefront of the battle, fighting for his country with great bravery. » However, his heroism came at a cost. Wounded and shackled, he was transported to Genoa as a prisoner of war. Admiral Lamba D’Oria, meanwhile, celebrated his triumph in Korčula for four days before returning to Genoa, where he was greeted with a grand reception on October 16, 1298.
In Genoa, Marco Polo found himself imprisoned alongside thousands of his compatriots. Yet, even in the confines of his cell, his spirit remained unbroken. It was during this period of captivity that he recounted his extraordinary travels across Asia to Rustichello da Pisa, a writer of romantic tales. Rustichello compiled Marco’s narratives into what would become Il Milione, a masterpiece that opened the eyes of Europe to the riches and marvels of the East.
The naval battle near Korčula was a pivotal moment in Marco Polo’s life. Had this battle not occurred, and had Marco not been captured and imprisoned in Genoa, the world might never have learned of his extraordinary adventures. This chance intersection of history not only shaped Marco Polo’s legacy but also enriched the cultural and historical tapestry of Korčula, forever linking the island to the life of one of history’s greatest explorers.