The beautifully preserved medieval city of Bacharach lies in the heart of the Middle Rhine region. Town highlights include Stahleck Castle (now a youth hostel), many sections of the original town walls, The Church of St. Peter, historic half-timbered houses, the gothic ruins of Wernerkapelle, a Roman road in the Kühlberg area, and the Stahlberg Castle ruins in the nearby village of Steeg. Many wineries are located in Bacharach and the nearby towns of the Rhine-Nahe wine growing region.
Bacharach is said to have been founded in pre-Roman times, possibly by the Celts. Its original name is said to have been Baccaracum. However, the first documentary evidence of its existence is from 923.