Smiljan, near Gospić, is located in the hinterland of the Adriatic coast in the Lika region, behind the Velebit Mountains. It offers a delightful change of pace from beaches, historic city centers, harbor promenades, and weekly markets, and is a worthwhile destination for families and technology enthusiasts.
At the Nikola Tesla Memorial Center, you can visit Tesla’s birthplace and an exhibition on the inventor’s life and work. There are also cultural sights to see, such as the Church of St. Peter and Paul, but perhaps more interesting is the experimental station, where Tesla coils are demonstrated.
Those wishing to extend their trip can combine it with a visit to Gospić, the Grabovača Cave Park, or a drive through the Lika countryside.
The electrical egg of Columbus
Smiljan is surprisingly easy to reach by car, but getting there by public transportation is rather complicated. From Zadar or the northern Dalmatian coast, it’s a good option for a day trip or a stopover on the way inland. From Šibenik, it’s doable, but it’s no longer a quick detour.
If you’re traveling without a car, it’s best to first head to Gospić and arrange a taxi or local transfer to Smiljan from there.
Address: Smiljan 87/1, 53211, Smiljan, Croatia
Closed: Monday
Phone: +38553746530
Website: McNikolaTesla.hr
The center consists of Tesla's birthplace, an exhibition on his life and work, outdoor grounds, monuments, and newer museum buildings. It opened in its current form in 2006 to mark the 150th anniversary of Tesla’s birth.
Tesla’s birthplace stands next to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which, according to the Memorial Center, dates back to 1765.
Tesla Coil
Demonstration There are demonstrations of wireless energy transmission and Tesla coil demonstrations at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Unfortunately, no special demonstrations are possible outside of these times.
Getting Here
From Šibenik | doable, but a longer trip; approx. 149 km by road |
Karlobag / coast below Velebit | very close, but via a mountain/pass road; beautiful, with lots of curves |
Zadar | feasible as a day trip; approx. 99 km by road |
Rijeka / Kvarner | better suited as a longer day trip or a stopover on the way south |
Plitvice Lakes / Lika | very easy to combine |