Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Book of the Week

Audiobooks

Factual

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

BBC Radio 4 FM

Book of the Week: Venetian Navigators - The Voyages of the Zen Brothers to the Far North

Book of the Week: Venetian Navigators - The Voyages of the Zen Brothers to the Far North: Episode 4

Factual: History

Factual: Travel

Venetian Navigators - The Voyages of the Zen Brothers to the Far North

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Venetian Navigators - The Voyages of the Zen Brothers to the Far North, Episode 4

Did a Venetian merchant reach North America a century before Columbus? Sam Dale reads.

The quest for traces of the fabled voyages of a 14th century Venetian merchant leads to Newfoundland. Did he reach North America a full century before Columbus? Read by Sam Dale.

By Andrea di Robilant.


Read by Sam Dale.


In the fourteenth century, so the story goes, two merchant brothers set out from Venice on a journey through the rough seas of the North Atlantic, encountering warrior princes and fighting savage natives on distant shores. 


Their adventures - printed as a small book and beautifully detailed map in 1558 by an enthusiastic ancestor - were celebrated throughout Europe until, in 1835, the story was denounced as a 'tissue of lies' and the Zens faded into oblivion.


Intrigued by the myth, the writer Andrea di Robilant set out on a personal journey to see what traces remain of these fabled voyages. In this episode his quest reaches the shores of Newfoundland and prompts the question: did Antonio Zen arrive in North America a full century before Columbus?


Abridged by Laurence Wareing.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The quest to discover the truth about two Venetian merchants' 14th century travels

Andrea di Robilant's quest for traces of the fabled voyages of two Venetian merchants in the 14th century

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Book of the Week

Venetian Navigators - The Voyages of the Zen Brothers to the Far North

Episode 4

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4