Pisa, in the footsteps of Marco Polo with Michael Yamashita

Palazzo Blu, in Pisa, will host an extraordinary exhibition of photographs taken by one of the most famous National Geographic collaborators: “Il viaggio di Marco Polo nelle fotografie di Michael Yamashita” (The Travels of Marco Polo, in the photographs of Michael Yamashita). These photographs really stand out and tell the travels of the famous merchant and traveller, as transcribed by a writer from Pisa.


For those who wanted to spend their Easter holidays in Pisa, Palazzo Blu could be the perfect choice: we have already described this ancient noble palace that was restored by the Fondazione Pisa ten years ago, and that today is managed by the Fondazione Palazzo Blu. It overlooks the southern embankment of the Arno river, in the very heart of the historic centre of the city, close to the Ponte di Mezzo, or Middle Bridge, and the Gambacorti Palace, hosting the Town Hall.
For the celebrations of the first 10 years of life of Palazzo Blu, a series of events and exhibitions have been included in the international cultural programme of this beautiful Palace on the Arno river.
On 24 March 2018, the fascinating photographic exhibition dedicated to Marco Polo and his 24-year adventurous travels through places unknown to the western world of his times opened its doors to the public. It is not by chance that the exhibition is held in Pisa: the link between this city and Marco Polo is really strong. Indeed, his travels were made famous in the world by “Il Milione”, written by Rustichello di Pisa who transcribed the tales he was told by the very Marco Polo when they were both imprisoned in Genoa.
A commented translation of this book accompanied photographer and director Michael Yamashita, one of the most famous contributors to National Geographic, during his fascinating travel in the footsteps of Marco Polo. Palazzo Blu exhibits 80 impressive photographs that want to make us visually experience the epic travels that started in Venice in 1271 and that took the famous merchant to the Far East, crossing the Silk Road, the most known and trafficked caravan route in the world.
This great photographic exhibition in Palazzo Blu, curated by Marco Cattaneo and realised in collaboration with National Geographic, displays 80 splendid photographs by Michael Yamashita along with some artistic objects and costumes from the countries crossed by Marco Polo. Documents on Rustichello, the author of the book, are also exhibited, to complete the overview on the images, words and objects on display, and to help visitors live in full one of the most adventurous and long-lasting travels in human history. The exhibition is also a great opportunity to discover the techniques of an exceptional photographic reportage and the complex organisation of a National Geographic Society expedition.
If you love photography and far-away countries, make sure you don’t miss this exhibition! 

Christiane Bürklein

Exhibition: “Il viaggio di Marco Polo nelle fotografie di Michael Yamashita”, curated by Marco Cattaneo – exhibition in Italian/English
From 24 March to 01 July 2018
Place: BLU Palazzo d’Arte e Cultura Lungarno Gambacorti, 9 - Pisa, Italy
Opening hours: 
Monday to Friday: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
Photos: Michael Yamashita, courtesy of GEDI Gruppo Editoriale S.p.A.
Photos of the exhibition: Francesco Cini
For more information: https://palazzoblu.it