The Department was founded in 1991 by merging the Institute of Physics and that of Physical Medicine of the University of Siena. Quite interesting is the collection of electrical, optical, acoustical and measurement instruments formed in the 19th and 20th centuries and used for teaching purposes. Among the interesting objects are a letter-balance and a spirit lamp from 1860.

The Department, after having moved to its new location in the beautiful green valley of Orto dei Pecci, has recently acquired a well-equipped astronomical observatory, where public sessions of guided observation of the night sky are held.