Facts and Legends about Banias (Caesarea Philippi)

The Banias in the northeastern tip of Israel is associated with pagan worship, has great, natural beauty, historical as well as Christian religious significance. Located in the northern part of the Galilee, also called the Panhandle, it is one of the three water sources which form the Jordan River.

Philip, son of King Herod,  received this area  including the Golan, Haran, Bashan and the Hula Valley. In 2 BCE Philip built the capital of his small  kingdom at Banias, also known as  Panias, and renamed it " Caesarea Philippi".

Banias is linked with the cult of the God Pan, that centered around the spring at the foot of  the cliff of Banias, and the grotto from which the waters of the spring emerged, an ideal  location for worshipping the God Pan. Around the spring a temple and ceremonial courtyards were built dedicated to Pan. From Greek mythology we know this was the goatherd's god. Wild places, mountains, forests and springs were his home. He played the pipe, melodies as sweet as the nightingale's songs.  On the sound of his flute , traditions tells us, goats began to dance. A tomb of holy goats has been found. Pagan activities in Banias ceased around the 6th century AD.

When Jesus came to Banias two important events occured. One is the story of  Jesus questioning his disciples regarding his identity. "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". And then he gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven ( Matthew16:13-20).

The other event reported by Matthew is about a woman, who was cured by Jesus. Out of gratitude she put up a statue of Jesus. St. Willibald, an English traveler of the year 954, describes the Christian inhabitants of Banias and their church, wherein are kept the remnants of the ancient statue of Jesus.

In summary, Banias is a site with  natural beauty, rich history and with a  religious significance.

Author: Ruth Goldberg, licensed Israeli tour guide.