1-153-143 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Marco Polo, Medieval Venetian merchant and traveller. Together with his father and uncle, Marco Polo (1254-1324) set off from Venice for Asia in 1271, travelling the Silk Road and arriving at the court of Kublai Khan some three years later. They spent 17 years in China before returning home, arriving back in Italy in 1295. Marco Polo was imprisoned by the Genoese, writing an account of his travels, Il Milione whilst in captivity.