Famous world traveler
Previously unknown: student surprisingly discovers fourth daughter and several grandchildren of Marco Polo
An illustration from Marco Polo’s travelogue, which was created around 1300
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Picture Alliance
Marco Polo traveled through Mongolia to China in the 13th century, he wrote what is probably the most famous travelogue in the world. But his family life also seems to be exciting – and we still don’t know everything about it.
Considering that he lived from 1254 to 1324, a time when most people lived and died without ever being recorded anywhere, a surprising amount is known about the Venetian Marco Polo. However, he had also achieved amazing things: He had traveled from Italy to far away China, had spent many years there and learned a lot about the local culture.
With a lot of new knowledge, riches and a Mongolian slave, he finally returned to Europe, where many did not want to believe his adventures. In Venice, he dictated them to an author friend, and there he married and started a family.
We know from documents that Polo married the merchant’s daughter Donata Badoer around the year 1300. With her he had three daughters: Fantina, Bellela and Moreta. These are the facts about him that historians have worked with for decades and have never been seriously questioned. Rather, one was glad to know so much about a man who lived more than 700 years ago. But now a newly discovered document causes astonishment – because the family life of the well-known world traveler seems to have been more complex than previously known.
Student makes exciting discovery
An Italian student named Marcello Bolognari came across an ancient will in the Venice State Archives. The document dates from 1319 and was written by a woman named Agnese who, at around 24 years old, was very young but apparently knew from an illness that she was about to die. She left her possessions to her husband Nicolò, their three small children Barbarella, Papon and Franceschino as well as their housemaid and the children’s teacher. She asked her father Marco to execute the will.
The interesting thing: the previously unknown Agnese was born between 1295 and 1299, right after Marco Polo’s return from his travels. At that time he was not yet married to his future wife Donata. Historians are now wondering: Was Agnese an illegitimate daughter that the world traveler had with a mistress? Or was he previously married, without there being any evidence of this today, and later married Donata as a widower? This has not yet been finally clarified – nothing is known about Agnese’s mother.
“Family research” should continue
Marcello Bolognari says: “This document provides us with information about a two of the Polo family living in the San Giovanni Gristostomo area [von Venedig] lived and raises crucial questions that – so far – can only be answered by once again critically examining all the documents that are known to us.” And that is exactly what the student wants to do with the help of his professors and colleagues: “We will publish new, annotated editions and thoroughly review all archives.”
Source: “unive”