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0232 The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2
The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 232 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000269
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stands as it were in the water and surrounded by water,
so that a great many bridges are required to give free
passage about it. [And though the bridges be so high
the approaches are so well contrived that carts and horses
do cross them.²]

The document aforesaid also went on to state that
there were in this city twelve guilds of the different
crafts, and that each guild had 12,000 houses in the occu-
pation of its workmen. Each of these houses contains at
least 12 men, whilst some contain 20 and some 40,—not
that these are all masters, but inclusive of the journey-
men who work under the masters. And yet all these
craftsmen had full occupation, for many other cities of
the kingdom are supplied from this city with what they
require.

The document aforesaid also stated that the number
and wealth of the merchants, and the amount of goods
that passed through their hands, was so enormous that
no man could form a just estimate thereof. And I should
have told you with regard to those masters of the different
crafts who are at the head of such houses as I have
mentioned, that neither they nor their wives ever touch
a piece of work with their own hands, but live as nicely
and delicately as if they were kings and queens. The
wives indeed are most dainty and angelical creatures!
Moreover it was an ordinance laid down by the King
that every man should follow his father's business and
no other, no matter if he possessed 100,000 bezants.³

Inside the city there is a Lake which has a compass
of some 30 miles : and all round it are erected beautiful
palaces and mansions, of the richest and most exquisite
structure that you can imagine, belonging to the nobles
of the city. There are also on its shores many abbeys
and churches of the Idolaters. In the middle of the
Lake are two Islands, on each of which stands a rich,