Un puente entre oriente y occidente

               In early September 1298, the fleet of Genoa warrior enters the Adriatic Sea.  There are 78 galleys under Admiral Lamba Doria. They plunder the Dalmatian coast, seeking perhaps to provoke the Venetians.  The hostility between the two maritime powers, Genoa and Venice, toured most of the XIII century.  The reason was the pursuit of preeminence in commerce by sea, especially in the eastern Mediterranean.  Several battles took this war, almost all at sea: in Constantinople, in Acre, in Ayas.  Generally, Venice had emerged triumphant. At least till now. 

                In the offense of invasion of their territory -then Dalmatia belonged  to Venice- the Doge ordered all available boats enlist in the lagoon and puts in charge of his son Andrea Dandolo.  93 ships out to sea.  In one of them was Marco Polo, who came out to defend the honor of his city as a Venetian more.  He had embarked on sobrecomito quality, which was like a counselor Captain.  It was a role played by the nobles of the city. The Venetian fleet sailed south and spotted the invaders in the vicinity of the island of Curzola, today Korcula in Croatia. 

                At dawn on 7 September, the battle began. I searched and found no evidence of actions.  The wind favored the Genoese and the detail, that may seem insignificant today, it would has defined the outcome.  Quickly Lamba Doria's galleys have been gaining ground on the Venetian fleet and before sunset the battle was defined.  75 ships sunk or captured and 7,500 prisoners was the result of the adventure to the Venetians.  One of the prisoners was the commander Dándolo who killed himself  in route to Genoa.  Another, of course, was our known Marco Polo, which fortunately chose overcome defeat.  It began another adventure for him, which would make him a celebrity.