The district was established in 1972 by merging the former districts of Bad Kissingen, Bad Brückenau and Hammelburg.
Geography
The district is located in the southern portion of the Rhön Mountains. The Fränkische Saale river (an affluent of the Main) enters the district in the north and leaves to the southwest.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms displays:
top: three icons symbolising the three spas of the district
left: the eagle as well as the red and white pattern are from the arms of the county of Henneberg, which ruled the territory in the Middle Ages