DEUTSCHLAND	GERMANY
Bundesland: Baden-Württemberg
Regierungsbezirk: Stuttgart
Landkreis: Heilbronn

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Beilstein began to develop in the late Middle Ages at the foot of the old castle. The name Beilstein was first mentioned in a document of 1150. In 1290 the margraves of Baden came in possession of the castle. The village Beilstein was first mentioned in 1245 and by 1304 seems to have obtained the status of a town. In 1304 it became part of Württemberg. Beilstein was looted and sacked several times during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) and the Palatinate War of Succession (1688–1697). Large parts of the historic old town were destroyed by Allied air raids in 1945.

The ruin of castle Hohenbeilstein (Langhans) is located on a hill overlooking the town. Archeological examinations date the earliest traces of a stronghold to about 1070/1080. This stronghold was further fortified around and after 1200. During the 16th century it lost its importance and gradually fell into dereliction. Renovation and reconstruction efforts started in the late 19th century.