The medieval history of Scansano does not really differ from the other castles of Maremma.

For the first time, it got nominated in the XII century, however its origins might be older. In '200 it made part of the territories that belonged to the Aldobrandeschi of the branch of Santa Fiora. They kept its possession until the half of the XV century, even if the action of submission to Siena is of earlier date. In the '500, there was registered an unprecedented demographic boom that had never occurred in any other neighbouring village. The inhabitants were attracted by the agricultural and mining activity, as well as by the climate and good air. The coastal inhabitants opted for Scansano during hot seasons.
Leopoldo II officially recognized this habit at the beginning of '800 when during the summer, all the public offices of Grosseto were transferred to Scansano. This lasted until 1897. The remarkable growth of Scansano in XIX century was confirmed by the construction of Theatre Castagnoli (inaugurated in 1892).

From piazza Garibaldi you enter the historical centre through a portal of '500 that probably replaces a medieval structure with ditches. In the centre, in via Vittorio Emanuele II, there are many buildings of '500 among which Palazzo gentilizio (n. 36-38) carrying the family symbol on its front. If you take a tiny street to your right, you get to the ancient Hospital of pilgrims. Going straight you enter the Piazza Ferrucci on the top of which there is a cassero consisting of damaged ancient parts and partially absorbed in successive structures. At the end of via Vittorio Emanuele II, to the right, there is the Church of St Giovanni Battista that for the first time was nominated in a document of the XI century. It was completely reconstructed in the XVII century, however was not preserved in its original conditions.

In the exterior, the church preserves a fifteenth-century portal made of local stone. In its interior, completely rearranged in the XVIII century, there have been preserved four paintings of XVII century. On the left side of the altar there is Madonna con Bambino (Madonna with the Child) and St. Anna of Sienese school and the Martirio di San Sebastiano (The martyrdom of St. Sebastian) made by Stefano Volpi. Furthermore, there is a so-called Madonna del soccorso that represents, according to an iconography dating back to '300, Madonna that receives the believers under its coat. In the chapter of Rosario, there is Madonna con Bambino e santi (Madonna with the Child and the Saints) of the Sienese school. On the right altar, there is a copy that replaces a terracotta (the end of XV century) of Andrea Della Robbia that was stolen in the past. Finally, there is a wooden polychromic statue of high quality that represents the Vergine Annunciata (Announced Virgin), locally known as Madonna di Mezz'agosto (Madonna of the mid August) of Sienese school, XV century.