Caesarea Philippi

Caesarea Philippi is an ancient Roman city located at the base of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights area of Israel.  It was formerly known as Paneas, for its association with the Greek god Pan, the god of desolate places, and is today referred to on the map as Banias.

There is a spring that at one time used to gush from the mouth of the main cave in the area, but now comes out from the bedrock below the cave opening.  Water from this spring, along with three other sources (one being the Dan river), form the waters that become the Jordan River.  The main cave was dedicated to the god Pan, and a temple was built on the site to him.

In the Gospels of both Matthew and Mark, Jesus is mentioned as passing by Caesarea Philippi.  Christian tradition says that the woman with the issue of blood, who was healed by Jesus, was from Caesarea Philippi.

Panorama of where the temple of Pan was built

An artist's impression of what the temple area may have looked like

Alcoves from the area of the Court of Pan and the Nymphs

Pieces of a column from the area of the Court of Nemesis

Close-up of the capital (the top of a Corinthian column)

Perhaps the goats danced on top of this capital?

Flower Pot (sort of)

Another view of the main cave and the temple areas

Look close and you can see part of the spring flowing from under this pathway

The large cave, and the water that will eventually become the Jordan River

Down below the temple area is the ruins of a Byzantine-era church

Ruins of the Byzantine church

More of the church

A mosaic tile floor found during the excavations

Also on the property, from a later time period, is a minaret from a Muslim temple.  I couldn't find when this was built, but the speaker on the roof says it was used sometime recently.