Cana was the home of Nathaniel, one of the twelve disciples (John 21:2). Cana was also the location of Jesus’s first miracle (John 2:1-11). Jesus later returned to Cana, and from here, He healed the son of the Capernaum official (John 4:46-54). Cana is known as “Cana of Galilee” to distinguish it from Kanah of Asher in the region of Tyre (Josh 19:28). This photograph shows Khirbet Qana, the most likely location of biblical Cana.
Cana
Also known as Khirbet Qana, Kh. Qana
Cana in the New Testament
Identifying Biblical Cana
The location of biblical Cana is disputed, with four sites claiming to be the location of Jesus’s first miracle. Of those locations, the two best candidates are Khirbet Qana and Kefar Kenna. Josephus locates Cana near the plain of Asochis (Bet Netofa Valley), a one-day walk from Tiberias. Khirbet Qana preserves the name of Cana and fits Josephus’s description as being near a valley. Khirbet Qana is located 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Nazareth and 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Sepphoris. This photograph shows the ancient site of Cana from the south, with olive trees in the Bet Netofa Valley in the foreground.
The Location of Cana
Khirbet Qana is located at Wadi Yodefat on the north edge of the Beth Netofa Valley. The site occupies a 330-foot (99-m) high hill, about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Sepphoris. Explorers in the 19th century reported the remains of a large village on “Jebel Qana.” The largest building on the site was located on the northwest side of the village. This photograph shows Khirbet Qana from the west.
Excavations
Many caves and cisterns are located on ancient site of Cana. A cave on the south slope was visited by Christian pilgrims who believed this was the place of Jesus’s first miracle. Graffiti, portions of stone vessels, and an altar decorated with crosses were discovered within the cave. On top of the hill, a large structure measuring 230 x 200 feet (69 x 60 m) may have served as a defensive wall in the 6th century AD. A Roman public building on the west side may be the earliest known Galilean synagogue. A building on the south slope is more recent and was built with stones taken from the Roman-Byzantine village.
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Related Websites
See our page on John 2 for information about Cana and the vessels Jesus filled with wine.
Cana (Jewish Virtual Library) A short historical overview of the site.
Where Did Jesus Turn Water Into Wine? (Biblical Archaeology Society) This 2024 article discusses Khirbet Cana in a readable manner, with attention to the archaeology.
Searching for Cana: Where Jesus Turned Water Into Wine (Biblical Archaeology Society) This 2015 article gives in-depth archaeological information about Khirbet Cana, complete with photos.
Qana (Research Center of Ancient Synagogue in the Land of Israel) Notable for a few photos of the synagogue found at Khirbet Cana.
Cana (Open Bible) Two pages here are particularly interesting; one shows three contested sites of Cana (referring to Khirbet Cana as Horbat Cana), along with a history of the popularity of the sites; the other focuses on Horbat/Khirbet Cana.
Cana (Sacred Destinations) A look at the modern site of Kefar (Kafr) Kanna and modern attractions there.
Kefar Kanna (Jewish Virtual Library) Information about the modern village at Kefar Kanna.
