The ghost of the Chinese wife of Marco Polo

Legend has it that, during his stay in China, the famous Venetian merchant Marco Polo was in love with one of the daughters of the Great Khan and, after marrying her, he brought her with him to Venice. The young girl was sweet and polite, but didn't feel comfortable in the lagoon city, and also became the victim of jealousy on the part of the Marco's sisters.

In 1298, when Marco Polo was captured in battle by the Genoese, the envious sisters in law told the oriental princess that her husband was dead; reeling from pain the girl set fire to her clothes and jumped from the windows of Marco Polo's house into the underlying canal.

The legend says that, sometimes, if at night you pass through the Milion courtyard (where Polo's houses stood) you can see a white figure floating in the air or hear a sweet song of Eastern origin.

There are no certain documents about this story (there is little information on Marco Polo's life), but a few years ago, during excavations in the foundations of the Malibran Theatre (built on Polo's old houses), human remains belonging to an Asian woman buried with objects of clear Chinese origins and a tiara with the imperial coat were found.

To listen to other fascinating anecdotes, visit the places where they took place and have a unique experience, you can enquire about the availability of our guide Francesca who will organise a private guided tour of mysteries and legends of Venice with you!