May 13-23, 2008 with Amy Cassens Papalexandrou *98 S*98, Art and Archeaology. The influence of the Byzantine Empire was felt far afield from present-day Istanbul. Delight in the artistry deposited in Italy and the Adriatic when the Eastern Roman Empire was at its hilt. An optional post-trip extension in Venice (5/23-26) will be able available.

A significant force in Europe for nearly 1,000 years, the Byzantine Empire opened up interaction between Catholic Europe and the Islamic East, and between the ancient and modern eras. Join your fellow Princetonians May 13-23, 2008, to learn about the skill of Byzantine artisans and the origins of their style, which made extravagant use of gold, gems, silks, tapestries, and, of course, intricate mosaics—an ancient art elevated to a new level by the Byzantines.

Explore the exquisite Byzantine heritage of Italy and the Adriatic, including well-known destinations as well as the hidden gems of southern Calabria and Puglia. After two nights in bustling Palermo, rich with its own history and artistry, embark upon a seven-night cruise aboard Le Levant, a superb 90-passenger yacht-like cruise ship. Take in dazzling Byzantine treasures—from the cathedrals of Ravenna, Monreale, and Cefalu, to the Byzantine Cattolica in Stilo, the best preserved monument of its kind. Learn about the architectural preservation challenges in Dubrovnik and Venice, and of recently discovered remnants of a Byzantine church underneath Dubrovnik's cathedral. End the program in Venice with a special visit at St. Mark's Cathedral, one of the city's star attractions and renowned for its exquisite mosaics and detailed carvings.

About the Study Leader
Amy Papalexandrou *98 S*98, lecturer in the Department of Art History at the University of Texas at Austin, will serve as the Princeton Study Leader.

Having earned her Ph.D. from Princeton's department of Art and Archaeology under Slobodan Curcic, she specializes in the history of Late Antique and Byzantine art and architecture. She has taught at the University of Michigan, Pennsylvania State University, and most recently at the University of Illinois where she was Laing Visiting Distinguished Professor in the History of Architecture. Dr. Papalexandrou has participated in various projects in the Balkans, including excavations in northern Greece, the architectural recording of medieval monuments in Serbia, and her own fieldwork on Byzantine monuments in central Greece. She is currently part of the Princeton University Archaeological Expedition to Polis, Cyprus, for which she is publishing the late Roman and medieval remains from the site. She has held fellowships at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library in Washington D.C. Her work focuses on Byzantine architecture and society, especially the interaction of individuals and monuments. Her recent publications have been devoted to issues of memory and orality and on the reception of antiquity in Byzantium.

To make reservations, fill out the form in the brochure or contact Princeton Journeys at (609) 258-8686 or journeys@princeton.edu.