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&nb