Statue of Marco Polo, Ulaanbaatar

In the heart of Ulaanbaatar stands the monument honoring Marco Polo, the renowned Venetian merchant and official of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. Perched atop a sturdy pedestal, the statue depicts Polo clad in European-style armor, with a majestic hunting falcon resting on his right shoulder.

Crafted from the vision of sculptor B. Denzen, the monument was funded partly by the city budget and partly by private donations. It finds its home in a charming mini-park facing the Central Tower, situated on the eastern side of Chinggiskhan Square.

While Marco Polo's legendary accounts of wine flowing from the fountains of Kublai Khan may seem fantastical to some, modern historians have increasingly scrutinized and appreciated his narratives. Recorded during his time as a captive by a fellow prisoner, Polo, of Croatian descent, eventually rose to prominence as a wealthy merchant following his extensive travels spanning two decades in the Yuan Dynasty.