HERMON STREAM (BANIAS) NATURE RESERVE

In addition to its strategic military position, due to its proximity to the Syrian border (Damascus is only 50 km away!), the Golan has another major asset: its water. Several tributaries of the Jordan have their source here, and 35% of the country's water supply comes from this region. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon, this nature reserve on the border between the Upper Galilee and the Golan is home to the Nahal Banias. This river, one of the main sources of the Jordan River along with the Nahal Dan, forms an impressive 10 m-high waterfall a few kilometers away. Nearby is a cave that once served as a temple to the Greek god Pan, hence its first name: Paneas or Paneas, transformed into Banias or Baniyas. The best time to admire the waterfall is in spring, when the snow melts.

The reserve is also home to a number of historic mills, used to grind grain and produce flour. For example, the Matrouf flour mill is still in operation, used by the villagers of Mas'ada and En Kiniya, and can be visited. There are other ruined mills along the creek (the Um Ra'i mill near Nahal Sa'ar, and the Al-Mahadeh and Sab'ah mills near the waterfall). The site also features Roman ruins, from the time when the town of Caesarea Philippi stood here, and ruins dating from the Crusader era.