Caesarea Philippi (Banias) 1845 - 1911

Harry Fenn rendered Caesarea Philippi, or Banias, in watercolor, a site steeped in religious and historical significance. The architecture stands as a testament to human ambition and belief, built upon layers of cultural heritage. Once a site devoted to the Greek god Pan, the location's association with pagan worship gives way to its New Testament prominence. In the Gospels, it marks the place where Peter declared Jesus as the Messiah. This moment signifies a shift in the spiritual landscape. The stones are silent witnesses to transitions in power. The bridge in this image, though modest, echoes the pontifex maximus, the high priest of ancient Rome who was the builder of bridges. These bridges are not merely physical; they are symbolic pathways. Each stone laid, each path trod, adds another layer to this ever-evolving narrative.