- Address: כביש 99, Israel;
- Website: parks.org.il;
- Phone: +972 4-695-0272;
- Opening hours: from April to September every day from 8 am to 5 pm, and from October to March - from 8.00 to 16.00.
The Banias reserve, located in the north of Israel , conceals a long history. This place, which is located at the foot of Mount Hermon, is one of the oldest. In a beautiful nature reserve come to look at a number of waterfalls and a variety of plants. Here, archaeological excavations were carried out, as a result of which scientists found the ruins of an ancient city.
The Banias Reserve (Israel) is beautiful at any time of the year, but in the winter it attracts a lot of tourists, because at this time it will be possible to see all the splendor of the national park. There are three different routes for visitors. To learn more about the reserve, it is recommended to walk through each of them.
History of the Banias Reserve
The interesting past of the park attracts a large number of tourists. The name of the reserve is given in honor of the ancient Greek god Pan, who was a deity of elemental forces. In the Hellenistic period, next to the majestic rock was built a temple dedicated to the forest deity.
Gradually around him appeared settlements of people who later united in the city. He became the capital of a new kingdom founded by the son of Herod the Great, Philip. The territory underwent Muslim conquests, as well as raids by the Mamluks, Turkmens, until 1967 it belonged to Syria. At the present time, only ruins remind of the city, and the territory was recognized as a reserve.
What is the park interesting for tourists?
Having reached the cave in a rock, half-ruined by an earthquake, you can see a poster on which the course of reconstruction of temples is displayed. What remained of them is a column, but it is enough to imagine how powerful the buildings were. In addition, from this rock follows the stream of Banias, the largest source of the Jordan River.
Walking in the park, tourists will see niches in the rock, in which once stood the sculptures depicting the god Pan. Under one of them there is even an inscription in the Greek language: "Dedicated to Pan, the son of Deos, who loves the Echo." Wandering along archaeological excavations, one can come across individual details, an ancient pavement.
All routes along the Baniasu reserve start from the source of the same river. During the way there are such interesting objects as:
- Roman bridge , which, surprisingly, well preserved;
- "Pool of officers" , where fish are bred, and the Syrian military used to swim;
- a hydroelectric power station operating until 1967;
- water conduit , through which water came to the turbine;
- Water mill , also in force until 1967. Tourists are allowed to enter the building;
- ruins of the palace of King Agrippa ;
- the ruins of the structures of the Crusaders , the corner tower with superstructures executed by the Syrians and Ottomans;
- ruins of the Byzantine basilica .
On the way to the waterfall , a natural sight of the Banias Reserve, tourists are surrounded by a special nature. The height of the largest and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Israel is 10 m.
The area is replete with dense vegetation, among which there are eucalyptus, date palms and oaks. Ferns and cacti along with waterfalls of different sizes create a unique atmosphere. The end point of any route is the Banyas waterfall. The length of the longest route is about 1.5 hours. During the hike, tourists can stop to refresh themselves with a Druze meal and drink coffee. You can sit down and rest your feet on any of the benches, which are set here in sufficient quantity.
What can not be done in the reserve is to bathe or go into the water. But you can go up to the wooden observation deck near the waterfall and make great photos.
Information for visitors
Reserve Baniyas runs from April to September every day from 8 am to 5 pm, and from October to March - from 8.00 to 16.00. Entrance fee - can be purchased as a combined ticket (reserve + fortress Nimrod ), and a separate one. The adult - 6,5 $, the child - 3 $; for groups: adult - 5,4 $, child - 3 $.
How to get there?
You can approach the reserve from two sides: from the side of the waterfall or the sources of the river. You can get to it from Kiryat Shmona by highway No. 90 to the intersection with route No. 99. Then turn right, drive 13 km and turn right again. Next, it remains to navigate the signs to go exactly to the parking place in front of the reserve.