Bacharach

Bacharach is a town in the district of Mainz-Bingen, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It lies on the right bank of the Rhine, at the southern end of the Upper Rhine Valley, commonly known as the Rhine Gorge. The town is part of the Verbandsgemeinde Loreley and is a popular destination for visitors seeking historic architecture, scenery and wine.

Its history extends back to at least the 8th century; first documented in 768. It received town rights in 1331. For centuries it was part of the Electorate of Mainz and developed as a wine- and trade-oriented settlement along the Rhine. The area was affected by the conflicts of the region, including the destruction in 1689 during the wars of Louis XIV.

Landmarks include a well-preserved medieval Old Town with half-timbered houses, the Oberes Tor (Upper Gate), and Burg Stahleck, a hilltop castle that dominates the town. Burg Stahleck, built in the 12th century, was destroyed in 1689 and later rebuilt in the 20th century as a youth hostel.

Bacharach lies within the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2002 for its landscape and historic towns along the Rhine. The economy is dominated by tourism, wine production, and small traditional businesses. Visitors come for the scenery, hiking, wine tastings, and the town's historical atmosphere.

Notable people with the surname Bacharach include Burt Bacharach (1928–2023), an American composer, arranger, and pianist known for a long list of popular songs and standards.