The Beilstein is a hill in the Main-Kinzig district of Hesse, Germany. It is part of the Spessart range and lies in the municipality of Jossgrund close to the Ortsteil of Lettgenbrunn [de]. Its elevation is 499 metres above sea level.

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Quick Facts Highest point, Elevation ...

Beilstein
Beilstein seen from the southwest
Highest point
Elevation	499 m (1,637 ft)
Coordinates	50°10′13″N 9°24′10″E
Geography
Beilstein Hesse, Germany
Parent range	Spessart
Geology
Mountain type	Basalt

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On the peak are the remains of a medieval hill castle known as Burg Beilstein. The place is first mentioned in 1059 as Bilstein as part of the border of the territory of Fulda monastery, but at that point it was likely not a castle but just a landmark. In 1313, the castle was bought by the Electorate of Mainz from the lords of Hohenlohe-Brauneck along with the area around Lettgenbrunn. The castle is last mentioned in 1427.^[1] Two important ancient trade routes, the Eselsweg and the Birkenhainer Strasse pass through the area.^[2] The former is overlooked by the Beilstein and was the likely reason for the castle's construction.^[1] Today, only the foundation of a wall remains of the castle.

In the 1930s, an observation bunker for bomber training at Lettgenbrunn [de] and Villbach [de] (both today part of Jossgrund) was constructed on the peak. After the war it was blown up and only the foundations remain.^[1]

In 1905, the Beilstein was included on a list of German natural landmarks. In 1930, parts of the hill were declared a nature reserve, one of the first in Hesse. The preserve today measures 5.75 hectares and hosts a large number of plant species such as Lilium martagon or Deutscher Streifenfarn [de].^[1]