KAFR CANA

Turned water into wine miracle

The Arab village of Kafr Cana in the Lower Galilee is known in Christian tradition as Cana of the Galilee. It was mentioned in the New Testament as a place where Jesus performed his firs miracle, when he went to a wedding of a poor couple and turned water into wine. In the 17th century Kafr Cana was officially recognized by the Vatican, and the pope officially confirmed that Kafr Cana is indeed Cana of the Galilee. Following this recognition the village was added to the list of Christian holy places. Some researchers identify Kafr Cana with the Kana mentioned in the ancient Egyptian Amarna letters (from about 4,000 years ago). 

One way or the other, in the Roman-Byzantine period (1,000-2,000 years ago), there was a large Jewish community here, but apparently by the Mameluke period (about 800 years ago) most of the residents of Kafr Cana were Christian, although there was still a Jewish community here, too. Today most of the residents of Kafr Cana are Muslim. From Nazareth the road leads down through typical Galilean countryside. The profusion of olive groves, pomegranates, grapevines, fig trees is a reminder of how much local scenery is described in the Bible. Even the great number of modern buildings, power lines, and industrial debris cannot entirely ruin the impression.