Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre

Northern Dalmatia


It's extraordinary to think that one of the greatest minds of the modern world came from such a peaceful and obscure place as the tiny village of Smiljan, 5km west of Gospić. Yet it was here that Nikola Tesla – the man responsible for bringing electricity into our homes and inventing wireless technology – was born. This fascinating museum includes displays about his life and working replicas of some of his most famous inventions.

Tesla's father was a Serbian Orthodox priest and, sadly, the family house, barn and church on this site were torched during the 1990s war. What stands here today is a reconstruction, financed by the Croatian government.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Dalmatia attractions

1. Grabovača Cave Park

6.42 MILES

Samograd, the largest cave of this extraordinary complex, has four beautiful chambers – the biggest is large enough to host a concert every Easter Monday…

2. Collegiate Church of the Assumption

14.86 MILES

Juraj Dalmatinac's Gothic church sits in perfect harmony with the modest structures surrounding it on the pretty main square. The lunette over the portal…

3. Pag Lace Gallery

14.88 MILES

Housed in the spectacular restored Ducal Palace (Kneževa Palača), designed by Juraj Dalmatinac, this museum showcases some remarkably intricate designs…

4. Salt Exhibition

15.02 MILES

Over the bridge in what remains of ancient Stari Grad – which is very little – this exhibition (in a former salt warehouse) documents the production of…

5. Manita Peć

18.83 MILES

The only cave in Paklenica National Park that's open to the public, Manita Peć has a wealth of stalagmites and stalactites enhanced by strategically…

6. Paklenica National Park

19.33 MILES

Covering 95 sq km of the Velebit Range that divides continental Croatia from the Adriatic coast, Paklenica National Park contains some of the country’s…

7. Kuterevo Bear Refuge

19.98 MILES

Founded in 2002, the bear refuge works with villagers to protect orphaned bears that are endangered due to traffic, hunting and poaching. From spring to…

8. Museum of Salt

22.55 MILES

Nin's salt was prized in ancient times for its high iodine content, making it sought after for both culinary and medicinal purposes. This small museum…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "croatia/gospic/attractions/nikola-tesla-memorial-centre/a/poi-sig/1323595/1342516",
      "destination": "Northern-Dalmatia",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Croatia",
      "region": "Northern-Dalmatia",
      "position": "superzone"
    }