The Banias Nature Reserve is an outstanding natural beauty, especially the renowned and striking Banias Waterfall. The reserve also includes the archeological site of Caesarea Philippi, which is the place mentioned in the scriptures where Jesus asked his disciples who people were saying he was.
Originally this ancient city was called Mivzar Dan (the Fort of Dan) and contained a cave dedicated to the Greek God Pan and was then called Panias. Later changed to Banias after the Roman conquest of the Land, King Herod built a temple dedicated to Augustus Caesar. Later Herod’s son Phillip changed the name to Caesarea Philippi. Today the Banias Cave was originally dedicated to Pan, and one can view the remains of Herod’s temple.
The springs start below Mount Hermon in the north. From there, the water rushes very fast downward to form the beautiful Banias waterfall and becomes one of the tributaries of the River Jordan. The Banias spring is connected to the Cave by a wide staircase, and a very long time ago, the spring, in fact, bubbled from the cave itself.
A short path leads from the Cave to the graveside of the Druze Saint Nebe Hader on a step on the cliff, and another trail leads from the flour mill to the waterfall, which is approximately a kilometer away.
The river itself flows for about nine kilometers before meeting the Dan River, and both then flow into the River Jordan. The River bed is lined by dense vegetation with Willow tree Plane trees and Poplars growing along the waterline.
The whole area is a lovely and relaxing place to enjoy its awe-inspiring beauty while touring Israel.