in the middle ages it was controlled by the aldobrandeschi family, who held it until the 14th century, when it was bought by the city of orvieto. after some years, orbetello was captured by the sienese republic. in the mid-16th century it was part of the spanish puppet state of presides, becoming its capital. later it was under the grand duchy of tuscany and, from the late 19th century, the new kingdom of italy.