Sabine Feist

Prof. Dr. Sabine Feist serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Christian Archaeology within the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Bonn, holding an Endowed Professorship (W2) established by the Gielen-Leyendecker Foundation with a five-year initial term extended through a 2023 call to the newly created chair.

Her academic formation includes:

• 2005-2011: Studies in Christian Archaeology and Byzantine Art History (major), Classical Archaeology and Ancient History (minors) at Freiburg, Athens, Basel and Göttingen
• 2012-2016: Doctoral research in Late Antique and Byzantine Art History (major) and Classical Archaeology (minor) at Munich

Feist's research centers on Christianity's constitutive role in late antique/early medieval life, specializing in Byzantine sacred architecture and the scientific history of Christian archaeology. Her work integrates architectural analysis with material culture studies to examine how religious beliefs shaped urban landscapes and building practices during antiquity's transition to the Middle Ages. Key projects include the Crypt of San Marco in Venice, Constantinian Episcopal Church of Ostia, and relic dependency studies.

Analysis of her 2020-2024 publications reveals dominant focus on early Christian church architecture (particularly Constantinian to Justinianic periods), with recurring themes of 'dark age' building continuity, spatial organization, and relic-related material culture. Her methodological approach combines archaeological fieldwork with art historical analysis across Italy, Turkey, and Greece.

Major recognitions include:

• Doctoral scholarship from Hanns Seidel Foundation (2012-2015)
• University of Munich Travel Scholarship (2013)
• Junior Fellowship at Koç University's Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (2014-2015)

As lead investigator for the Cluster of Excellence 'Beyond Slavery and Freedom' and member of Bonn's 'Past Worlds – Contemporary Questions' research area, Feist directs projects including the Ostia Episcopal Church excavation and Venice's San Marco Crypt study. Her institutional roles encompass the Scientific Advisory Board of the Romanic Bulletin (DAI) and Bonn Graduate Center selection committee, demonstrating active research leadership and mentorship capacity.

Feist maintains international collaborations across Germany, Turkey, Italy and Greece, evidenced by multi-author publications with scholars like Heinzelmann and Zimmermann. Her fieldwork spans Ostia Antica, Ephesus, Thessaloniki, and Istanbul, reflecting extensive engagement with Mediterranean archaeological sites and teams.