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Marco Polo, Rustichello of Pisa - The Travels of Marco Polo, 1
Hayton in Armenia; to say nothing of the circumstance that the name Temur Khaghan is also
used during that Emperor's life by Oljaitu Khan of Persia in writing to the King of France a letter which
M. Pauthier himself republished and commented upon. (See his book, p. 780.)
CHAPTER X. CONCERNING THE PALACE OF THE GREAT KAAN.
You must know that for three months of the year, to wit December, January, and February, the Great
Kaan resides in the capital city of Cathay, which is called CAMBALUC, [and which is at the
north-eastern extremity of the country]. In that city stands his great Palace, and now I will tell you what it
is like.
It is enclosed all round by a great wall forming a square, each side of which is a mile in length; that is to
say, the whole compass thereof is four miles. This you may depend on; it is also very thick, and a good
ten paces in height, whitewashed and loop-holed all round.[NOTE 1] At each angle of the wall there is a
very fine and rich palace in which the war-harness of the Emperor is kept, such as bows and
quivers,[NOTE 2] saddles and bridles, and bowstrings, and everything needful for an army. Also midway
between every two of these Corner Palaces there is another of the like; so that taking the whole compass
of the enclosure you find eight vast Palaces stored with the Great Lord's harness of war.[NOTE 3] And
you must understand that each Palace is assigned to only one kind of article; thus one is stored with
bows, a second with saddles, a third with bridles, and so on in succession right round.[NOTE 4]
The great wall has five gates on its southern face, the middle one being the great gate which is never
opened on any occasion except when the Great Kaan himself goes forth or enters. Close on either side of
this great gate is a smaller one by which all other people pass; and then towards each angle is another
great gate, also open to people in general; so that on that side there are five gates in all.[NOTE 5]
Inside of this wall there is a second, enclosing a space that is somewhat greater in length than in breadth.
This enclosure also has eight palaces corresponding to those of the outer wall, and stored like them with
the Lord's harness of war. This wall also hath five gates on the southern face, corresponding to those in
the outer wall, and hath one gate on each of the other faces, as the outer wall hath also. In the middle of
the second enclosure is the Lord's Great Palace, and I will tell you what it is like.[NOTE 6]
You must know that it is the greatest Palace that ever was. [Towards the north it is in contact with the
outer wall, whilst towards the south there is a vacant space which the Barons and the soldiers are
constantly traversing.[NOTE 7] The Palace itself] hath no upper story, but is all on the ground floor, only
the basement is raised some ten palms above the surrounding soil [and this elevation is retained by a wall
of marble raised to the level of the pavement, two paces in width and projecting beyond the base of the
Palace so as to form a kind of terrace-walk, by which people can pass round the building, and which is
exposed to view, whilst on the outer edge of the wall there is a very fine pillared balustrade; and up to
this the people are allowed to come]. The roof is very lofty, and the walls of the Palace are all covered
with gold and silver. They are also adorned with representations of dragons [sculptured and gilt], beasts
and birds, knights and idols, and sundry other subjects. And on the ceiling too you see nothing but gold
and silver and painting. [On each of the four sides there is a great marble staircase leading to the top of
the marble wall, and forming the approach to the Palace.] [NOTE 8]
The Hall of the Palace is so large that it could easily dine 6000 people; and it is quite a marvel to see how
many rooms there are besides. The building is altogether so vast, so rich, and so beautiful, that no man on
earth could design anything superior to it. The outside of the roof also is all coloured with vermilion and
yellow and green and blue and other hues, which are fixed with a varnish so fine and exquisite that they
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