Why didn't the Venetians believe Marco Polo when he came back with wondrous tales of China?

Answer 1

When Marco Polo returned to Venice after his travels, many of his fellow Venetians found it difficult to believe his extraordinary tales of China and its wealth, culture, and technological advancements. The skepticism stemmed from the lack of evidence and the fantastical nature of his stories, which seemed implausible to those who had not ventured beyond their familiar world. Additionally, the political and economic climate of Venice, with its focus on trade and rivalry, may have contributed to a dismissive attitude towards the narratives of distant lands. Ultimately, Polo's accounts were so remarkable that they challenged the prevailing perceptions of the world at the time.