Ara Bacchi

Ara Bacchi is an ancient rock formation that once stood along the Rhine riverbank between the towns of Bacharach and Lorch and consisted of natural stone layers. The site marked an important geographic location in this wine region of the Rhine valley.

The formation was removed in 1850 during Rhine River regulation works, with about 39 cubic meters of stone extracted through controlled demolition. These operations were part of larger changes to the river aimed at improving navigation.

The name references Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, and the formation served as a marker for wine growers when visible during low water levels. This sign helped people recognize the right time for harvest.

The former site is reachable from the medieval towns of Bacharach and Lorch, both located along the Rhine corridor. Visitors can explore the area along the riverbank, where viewpoints and walking trails reveal the history of this region.

A Merian engraving from 1645 shows the rock formation, known at that time as Elterstein, in the right foreground of Bacharach's city view. This historical depiction is one of the few surviving images that show what this formation looked like before it was destroyed.