During the Middle Ages there was continuous fighting between the Archbishop of Mainz and the Counts of Rieneck.

Both attempted to rule the region and erected castles in the Spessart hills.

As a result of the trade on the river, their wealth grew, and this became a very prosperous region.

Prosperity ended abruptly in the Thirty Years' War, when the area was devastated and depopulated.

The district is located in a hilly area on both banks of the river Main.