Temple and Cave of Pan-Ancient Banias (3rd Cent BC).

Banias was established as a city to the Greek God Pan. This city known as Panias has been corrupted in the Arabic language to its modern name of Banias. Pan is often depicted as a half-man half-goat playing the flute. Archaeological excavations from the site have uncovered remains of this ancient cult. A Temple for Pan was constructed around 3rd Cent BC on a 80 m tall cliff. Near the temple is a large cave regarded sacred to Pan. At the foot of the sacred precinct is the Paneas spring flowing, now known as Banias Stream. You can see several niches cut into the rock cliff, in which probably stood statues of Gods. Remains of Temples dedicated to other Gods like Zeus, Nemesis and a tomb for sacred Goats also have been recovered from the region. For more details see introduction.