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Statue of Marco Polo

The Statue of Marco Polo is a monument to the Venetian merchant and Yuan official Marco Polo, located in the center of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. It was created from an sketch by sculptor B. Denzena and funded partly by the city budget and partly by private donations. The monument was installed in a small square in front of the Central Tower, on the eastern side of Chinggis Square. Its opening ceremony took place on 5 December 2011 and was dedicated to the centenary of the country’s diplomatic service. The choice to place a monument to a foreign envoy in such a central location drew some confusion from city residents.

Marco Polo statue in historical attire with a bird on his arm, standing on a stone pedestal.
The Marco Polo statue stands on a pedestal in downtown Ulaanbaatar, with a modern building in the background.
2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Marco Polo statue in historical attire holding a book on a stone pedestal.
The Marco Polo statue stands on a stone pedestal beneath a clear blue sky, with a modern skyscraper nearby.
September 2013 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Marco Polo statue in ornate armor with a bird on his shoulder and a book in his hand
The Marco Polo statue stands in front of a modern high-rise building.
April 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Marco Polo statue on a stone pedestal, with a bronze figure holding a book under a blue sky.
The Marco Polo statue stands on a stone pedestal in Ulaanbaatar, with modern buildings in the background.
June 2014 © · CC BY 2.0
Marco Polo statue on a stone pedestal in front of a modern building.
The Marco Polo statue stands on a stone pedestal before a tall modern building.
August 2012 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleStatue of Marco Polo
Original-language nameПам'ятник Марко Поло
Mongolian nameМазко Пологийн хөшөө
Typemonument

Iconography and meaning

SubjectMarco Polo
Depicted person descriptiona Venetian merchant and a Yuan official

Creator

Created from a sketch bysculptor B. Denzen

Discovery and provenance

FundingPartly paid for by the city budget and partly by private donations

Location and ownership

LocationA mini-square in front of the Central Tower building, on the east side of Chinggis Khan Square, in the center of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Installed ona pedestal

History and restoration

Inauguration date5 December 2011
DedicationCoincided with the centenary of the country's diplomatic service
Public reactionSome city residents questioned the need to install a monument to a foreign envoy in the very center of the capital, near the Government Palace

Appearance

AttireEuropean-style armor
Additional objectA hunting falcon sits on his right shoulder