Discover Venice with Marco Polo: A Journey into the History of Venetian Merchants
On the occasion of the seven hundredth anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, L’altra Venezia is delighted to present a new and fascinating guided tour itinerary dedicated to the most famous Venetian merchant. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the history of Venice, exploring the places and stories that shaped the life of Marco Polo and the city itself.
Venice: Crossroads of Cultures and Commerce
“Cities are a combination of many things: of memory, of desires, of signs, of language; cities are places of exchange, exchanges of words, of desires, of memories”
(Italo Calvino, Six Memos for the Next Millennium)
Venice has been a mercantile city since its earliest lagoon settlement. Thanks to its strategic position, Venice quickly developed maritime trade relations, becoming a bridge between East and West. This role as an intermediary not only brought immense wealth to the city but also transformed it into a mosaic of cultures, styles, and ideas.
Its merchants made the city rich, transformed and shaped it, made it multi-ethnic and permeable to the arts and styles of all the cultures with which they came into contact.
After the golden centuries of trade, the protagonists, the goods, and the routes changed, but until the end of the Republic, Venice remained radically and intrinsically a mercantile city, a connection point between Europe and Asia, an engine of culture and progress.
Marco Polo: The Merchant Who Conquered the East
Our itinerary focuses on the figure of Marco Polo, the renowned Venetian explorer who traveled to the court of Kublai Khan in China. Through his adventures, recounted in the book “Il Milione – The Travels of Marco Polo”, he introduced Western audiences to the customs, wonders, and riches of the East.
During the guided tour, we will uncover the places linked to Marco Polo’s life in Venice, including his supposed house in the Cannaregio district. We will explore the alleys and squares where Venetian merchants traded spices, silk, and other precious goods that made Venice one of the wealthiest and most influential cities of the Middle Ages.
An Itinerary Rich in History and Charm
Our itinerary extends beyond the figure of Marco Polo. We will guide you through the stories of other great Venetian merchants whose enterprises left an indelible mark on the city. We will visit the Rialto Market, the bustling heart of Venetian commerce, and discover how Eastern influences enriched Venice’s culture and art.
This tour represents a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the mercantile history of Venice, understand the dynamics that made the city a crossroads of cultures, and appreciate the extraordinary legacy of Marco Polo.
“Because Marco is Venice. Because if Marco embodies the hero who undermines the rules and conventions to the point of projecting himself where no one had ever dared (…), the lagoon city is the absolute and indisputable protagonist”
(E. Orlando, The Venices of Marco Polo)
Book Your Adventure with L’altra Venezia
Don’t miss the chance to explore Venice in a new light, uncovering the secrets of its merchants and the extraordinary history of Marco Polo.
Come and experience a unique journey that will take you back in time, through stories of adventure, trade, and discovery. We look forward to sharing with you the magic of Venice and the allure of its mercantile legends!
Marco Polo Tour : For information and bookings, write to info@laltravenezia.it
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