Marco Polo

In a sense, Marco Polo became a cultural pioneer and messenger, sharing his first-hand experiences of nature, landscapes, flora and fauna, and interactions with local residents. He was impressed by the achievements of Chinese civilization, including the construction of temples and palaces, as well as the creation of art and ornaments. We draw inspiration from this "wise and knowledgeable Venetian citizen," using his observations and imagination as a starting point to open the prelude to the special exhibition "The World of Marco Polo: China and the World through His Eyes," and then turn our attention to Yuan Dynasty China, focusing on vibrant cities such as Beijing, Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou, to build a bridge between the two civilizations. The exhibition was conceived by the Shanghai Museum and the Cultural Office of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, and its success would not have been possible without the active cooperation of the Treccani Institute of Encyclopedias, the Venice Civic Museums Foundation, the Basilica di San Marco, the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze, and the Vatican Library, as well as the strong support of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai and the University of Venice.