In the heart of the town of Scansano, there is the Church of San Giovanni Battista.
Famous for the production of the famous Morellino DOCG, Scansano is a village in the Tuscan Maremma.
The Scansano area has been inhabited since ancient times, there are in fact many settlements from the Roman Etruscan era, while the birth of the town dates back to 1274, in the middle of the Middle Ages.
During the fourteenth century Scansano was disputed between the Aldobrandeschi and the Tolomei, it became, in 1418, part of the possessions of the Sforza family, then passing to the de’Medici family in 1618.
The town of Scansano certainly deserves a visit, among the main monuments the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie, the Castagnoli Theater must certainly be remembered.
Furthermore, just outside the town there are two places of great historical and cultural importance, the Castle of Montepò and Ghiaccio Forte.
WHAT TO SEE IN SCANSANO
Church of San Giovanni Battista
Built in 1276, the church underwent a major renovation during the 1700s.
Inside, the church houses numerous works of art, some of great historical and artistic importance, for example a painting of the Madonna offering the Child to Sant’Anna, dating back to 1600, the Martyrdom of San Sebastiano, the Madonna del Soccorso, a wooden statue depicting the Madonna, from the 1400s and a wooden choir from the 17th century.
Church of the Madonna delle Grazie
The Church of the Madonna delle Grazie is a sacred building that rises outside the walls of the village of Scansano.
Built on the ruins of a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie, the church dates back to the 17th century.
In 1862 following a flood, the church was rebuilt, it is from this reconstruction that the neoclassical appearance of the building derives, the reconstruction project was followed by Luigi Vannuccini and the church was completed in 1867.
Inside the church there is a painting depicting the Madonna della Botte, dating back to the seventeenth century.
Church of San Mamiliano
The Church of San Mamiliano is the oldest in the town of Sovana, its construction dates back to the early Christian period, and in the sixth century it became a bishop’s seat.
During the 1200s it was enlarged and restored, but with the transfer of the bishop’s seat to the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the building was gradually abandoned.
Recent restorations have brought the church back to its former glory and led to the discovery of a hidden treasure, as many as 498 gold coins, minted under Leo I and Antemius, thus dating back to 457-474.
Montepò Castle
Built around the year one thousand, the Montepò Castle is an ancient parish church that rises just outside the town of Scansano.
The building was almost completely rebuilt in the fourteenth century, when it was a possession of the Cotton family.
In the Renaissance period, the castle was used as a fortified farm and in the following decades the structure was further enlarged and fortified.
Today the castle is privately owned, belongs to the Biondi Santi family, and is part of a winery
Palazzo Pretorio
Dating back to the Middle Ages, probably to the early 13th century, Palazzo Pretorio stands in Piazza del Pretorio in Sovana.
The facade of the building is very particular and bears the coats of arms of the captains of the people and the commissioners who served in the city of Sovana.
The building houses the Visitor Center of the Archaeological Park of Tufo and the Documentation Center of the Sovanese Territory.
Ghiaccio Forte
A few minutes from the town of Scansano, along the road that leads to Manciano, is the ancient site of Ghiaccio Forte.
The archaeological area is of Etruscan origin and was founded in the fourth century BC, the settlement was destroyed in 208 BC.
Originally the settlement was composed of a wall, with three access gates, developed on two adjacent hills, the Acropolis and the metallurgical area, there was a temple.
Archaeological Museum
Inaugurated in 2001, the Archaeological Museum of Scansano exhibits finds from the Archaeological Area of Ghiaccio Forte.
Inside the museum various types of finds are exhibited, chalices, bowls and kits, a bowl dated 4th century BC, with the inscription “statie”, a collection of votive heads, coming from the Sanctuary of Ghiaccio Forte and dating back to the 7th century B.C.
archaeological Museum
Piazza del Pretorio – Scansano
Opening time :
Every day: 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.30 – 17.30
Admission: € 3.00 – free up to 18 years
Museum of Vine and Wine
Inaugurated in June 2000, the Museum of Vine and Wine is entirely dedicated to the wine culture of the Tuscan Maremma, with specific regard to the production area of Morellino di Scansano DOCG.
The muse is divided into five sections, HISTORICAL AREA (archaeological evidence on cultivation and production), PRODUCTION AREA, VINE AND WINE CYCLE AREA, TRADITION AREA, INFORMATION AREA.
The methods of grape cultivation and wine production from the Etruscan period to the present day are illustrated, and traditional tools are exhibited.
Six DOCG wines from the Tuscan Maremma are also exhibited: Morellino, Parrina, Ansonica, Bianco di Pitigliano, Capalbio and Sovana, a space is dedicated to the tasting of wines and typical products.
Museum of Vine and Wine
Piazza del Pretorio – Scansano
Opening time :
Every day: 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.30 – 17.30
Admission: € 3.00 – free up to 18 years