Croatian Travel: Marco Polo

Marco Polo and his alleged birthplace in Korcula

Marco Polo is famous for his 24-year long journey along the Silk Road through China and the Middle East during the 13th century. While we know much of his travels as an adult, the exact location of his birth has always been an unanswered question. While he was raised in Venice, Italy, it's thought that he might have actually been born in the town of Korcula in 1254 on the island of Korcula in southern Croatia.

While commanding a merchant ship in a Mediterranean battle, Marco Polo was captured by the Genoese Army and taken to a Genoese prison for a year. It was during his imprisonment that he penned the book The Travels of Marco Polo with his cellmate, Rustichello, a romance novelist from Pisa.

The book became an instant success throughout medieval Europe, telling of the exotic customs and wealthy lifestyles of those living in the then-unexplored China, India, and Africa. However, many people thought the book was so extravagant in its tales that they questioned whether Marco Polo had actually made such a fantastic journey and the book was nicknamed, The Million Lies of Marco Polo.

While evidence of the fact that Marco Polo was actually born on the island of Korcula is sketchy, the town of Korcula has definitely embraced the idea of it being the birthplace of Marco Polo and gives tours through the alleged house of his birth.

The Marco Polo Museum in Korcula also offers interesting facts and displays artifacts of their most famous maybe-born-citizen. While the house itself is bland and somewhat uninteresting inside, a climb to the tower on top of the house will give you panoramic views of the entire town. So, whether you believe the claims or not, you will certainly enjoy a visit to the pride of Korcula.