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Odoriko MatiushTraveler.
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Born in Friuli, a Traveling Monk
- Early Life and Education
- Journey to the East
- Through Persia and the Indian Coast
- To India and the Far East
- The Spice Islands and Borneo
- China: A Land of Wonders
- Explorations in China
- Return Journey and Later Life
- Legacy and Impact
Born in Friuli, a Traveling Monk
Born in the village of Villa-Nova near Pordenone in the Friuli region of Italy (now part of the Udine province), Mattia Odorico's birth year is debated, with some sources claiming 1274 while others suggest it may have been a decade later. Known by multiple names, including Odorico of Pordenone and Odorico of Friuli, he embarked on his mission as an itinerant preacher around 1316 or slightly later.
Early Life and Education
Odorico lacked formal education, which may have contributed to his tendency to accept rumors and legends as truth. He was also prone to exaggeration, a trait common among medieval travelers.
Journey to the East
Odorico's travels commenced from Constantinople. He traversed to Trebizond (Trabzon in northeastern Turkey) and eventually reached Tabriz (Tebriz in Iranian Azerbaijan). Acknowledging its strategic location on a major trade route, Odorico noted that "the entire world sends its goods there."
Through Persia and the Indian Coast
The next destination on Odorico's path was Kashan in central Iran, renowned for its exquisite tiles. From Kashan, he ventured south to Persepolis (literally "city of the Persians" in Greek), an ancient city famous for its opulent royal palace.
Continuing his journey, Odorico passed through Baghdad and arrived in Hormuz, situated on the strait connecting the Persian and Oman Gulfs. Here, he marveled at the construction of ships, observing that they were held together only with ropes.
To India and the Far East
In 1321, Odorico embarked on a sea voyage that brought him to the Bombay region. His attempts at proselytizing in India proved unsuccessful, prompting him to move south along the Malabar Coast, known for its pepper trade. Continuing his journey, he rounded the southern tip of India and visited Ceylon (Sri Lanka) before heading to the major Indian port city of Madras, where he sought to pay homage to the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle.
The Spice Islands and Borneo
After a 50-day voyage from Madras, Odorico reached the Greater Sunda Islands. He became the first European to write about Sumatra, passing it from the east and arriving at the port of Semarang on the island of Java. He marveled at the lush tropical scenery and the grandeur of local rulers' buildings.
From Java, Odorico ventured to Borneo (Kalimantan), the largest island in the Greater Sunda archipelago. In his descriptions of the island, he mentioned the sago palm, from which a "flour" and "other food" were made.
China: A Land of Wonders
Continuing his eastward journey, Odorico arrived in Indochina. However, he did not linger there for long, instead embarking on another lengthy sea voyage that eventually brought him to Chinese land. Ascending the winding Pearl River, he reached Canton (Guangzhou). The European visitor, accustomed to Venice as a model of urban grandeur, was astounded by Canton's size, estimating that it was three times larger.
"The greatest city in the world," Odorico proclaimed of Hangzhou (Hangzhou), "has 100 miles in circumference and counts more than 12,000 bridges." At the time, this major trading and artisanal center of China was renowned for its silks. Odorico also visited several other cities in southern China before reaching Nanjing. From there, he journeyed along the Grand Canal to the Yellow River and eventually arrived at his ultimate destination: Beijing.
Explorations in China
Odorico spent three years in Beijing, broadening his knowledge of China and its people, gathering insights that even Marco Polo had not recorded.
Return Journey and Later Life
Odorico's return journey took him through the provinces of Shanxi, Sichuan, and Tibet. It is believed that he visited Lhasa (which he called Gota), the capital of Tibet, and if not the first European to do so, was at least the first to describe it.
Precise details of Odorico's return route to his homeland are not known. However, it is assumed that he passed through Kabul (Afghanistan), Khorasan (northern Iran), Tabriz, and from there back to Venice via the original route. After an arduous 14.5-year absence, he returned home an exhausted and ailing man.
Legacy and Impact
In May 1330, Odorico dictated an account of his travels and adventures to a fellow monk in Padua. On January 14, 1331, he passed away at the monastery in Udine. He was interred in the monastery, under the altar, as a saint, although he was officially canonized only later. The Venetian sculptor Filippo de Santi crafted a marble monument for his tomb.
