Find out more about the greatest Italian Explorers, including Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, John Cabot, Amerigo Vespucci and Reinhold Messner

Famous Italian Explorers

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus
31 October 1451
 
Marco PoloMarco Polo
1254 AD
 

Amerigo VespucciAmerigo Vespucci
09 March 1454
Discoverer of South America

John CabotJohn Cabot
1450 AD
Explorer

Giovanni da VerrazzanoGiovanni da Verrazzano
1485 AD
Explorer

Reinhold MessnerReinhold Messner
17 September 1944
Explorer, Politician, Writer, Mountaineer
Matteo RicciMatteo Ricci
06 October 1552
explorer, cartographer, writer, missionary,

Andrea DoriaAndrea Doria
30 November 1466
Condottiero

Antonio PigafettaAntonio Pigafetta
 

Giovanni Battista BelzoniGiovanni Battista Belzoni
05 November 1778
Explorer, Antiquarian, Egyptologist,
Walter BonattiWalter Bonatti
22 June 1930
Mountaineer, Explorer, Photographer, Mountain

Eusebio KinoEusebio Kino
10 August 1645
Jesuit, Missionary, Geographer, Explorer,
Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the AbruzziPrince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi
29 January 1873
Italian mountaineer, Explorer

Achille CompagnoniAchille Compagnoni
26 September 1914
Explorer, Biathlete, Ski mountaineer

Umberto NobileUmberto Nobile
21 January 1885
Explorer, Aerospace engineer, Politician, Military
Scipione BorgheseScipione Borghese
01 September 1577
Italian Cardinal, art collector

Giovanni da Pian del CarpineGiovanni da Pian del Carpine
1182 AD
Diplomat, Explorer, Archbishop
Giuseppe CastiglioneGiuseppe Castiglione
19 July 1688
painter, missionary, draughtsperson, engraver

Giovanni da VerrazanoGiovanni da Verrazano
1485 AD
Explorer