Memorial Center of Nikola Tesla
Memorial Center of Nikola Tesla
4
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Come and visit the birth house of the great inventor! Dođite i posjetite rodnu kuću velikog izumitelja!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
121 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
38
Average
23
Poor
12
Terrible
2
Aleksandra B
Amman, Jordan173 contributions
Jul 2019
It is not that it is a huge museum and you can spend a whole day there but how can you be in Croatia and not visit the place where Tesla grew up.
Was he really born there?.....yes, it is reported everywhere that he is but actually he was born in village Stikada. His mother was at her parents' house in Tomingaj, near little town Gracac when the labour pains started. As it was unacceptable at that time to give a birth at parents' house without husband/father of the baby being there, Tesla's mother (Georgina Djuka Tesla born Mandic) was put on the horse coach and started a 60km journey to Smiljan so that Djuka could give a birth in her and her husband's house in Smiljan. But 13km after they started the journey, labour pains became intensive and they were forced to stop and look for a help at the house of the priest in the village of Stikada.
This was easy because Tesla's father was a priest and his maternal grandfather too.
So, Nikola Tesla was born in Stikada. The church is still there but destroyed after 2nd world war and never renovated after. The priest's house is also still there, right next to the church but now in a private ownership and the top floor was added to it.
Soon after the mother recovered from the labour they continued to Smiljan and Nikola Tesla's birth was registered in Smiljan.
This story went from generation to generation and I knew about it because I come from that region.
This is an additional story about Tesla that you will not hear at the museum.
But, you can see and hear about just a few of his inventions there and experience the place and the house where Tesla lived as very little before moving to Gospic. From that house, Tesla was jumping from the roof carrying umbrella and trying to fly.
The place is well maintained. You can also see a short documentary about Tesla with English subtitles. There is a little souvenir shop and a very nice playground for kids.
Also, you can find a little kiosk there to get some snacks, ice cream and coffee.
Was he really born there?.....yes, it is reported everywhere that he is but actually he was born in village Stikada. His mother was at her parents' house in Tomingaj, near little town Gracac when the labour pains started. As it was unacceptable at that time to give a birth at parents' house without husband/father of the baby being there, Tesla's mother (Georgina Djuka Tesla born Mandic) was put on the horse coach and started a 60km journey to Smiljan so that Djuka could give a birth in her and her husband's house in Smiljan. But 13km after they started the journey, labour pains became intensive and they were forced to stop and look for a help at the house of the priest in the village of Stikada.
This was easy because Tesla's father was a priest and his maternal grandfather too.
So, Nikola Tesla was born in Stikada. The church is still there but destroyed after 2nd world war and never renovated after. The priest's house is also still there, right next to the church but now in a private ownership and the top floor was added to it.
Soon after the mother recovered from the labour they continued to Smiljan and Nikola Tesla's birth was registered in Smiljan.
This story went from generation to generation and I knew about it because I come from that region.
This is an additional story about Tesla that you will not hear at the museum.
But, you can see and hear about just a few of his inventions there and experience the place and the house where Tesla lived as very little before moving to Gospic. From that house, Tesla was jumping from the roof carrying umbrella and trying to fly.
The place is well maintained. You can also see a short documentary about Tesla with English subtitles. There is a little souvenir shop and a very nice playground for kids.
Also, you can find a little kiosk there to get some snacks, ice cream and coffee.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you.
Written August 17, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CStamm
3 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We saw the sign on the toll road but we missed the exit. We were able to work it into on itinerary the next day and it was worth it. We thought we would spend 30 minutes but we were there 90 mins at least. Check out the video about his life for 20 minutes. The birthplace house has cool information and experiments. Everyone was really nice and helpful. We learned a lot.
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting! We're glad you enjoyed learning about Nikola Tesla!
Written August 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stjepan T
Split, Croatia13 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Recall, Nikola Tesla (Smiljan, 1856th - New York, 1943). Was one of the greatest scientist of the twentieth century. He was born in Lika. Elementary school and high school in Smiljan Gospic and Karlovac and studied in Graz, Austria.
His inventions in the field of electrical engineering and discoveries in physics, left a strong imprint on the world, not only science, but their application reflected on improving the quality of life in general, which has earned the title of "the man who invented the twentieth century". Among other things, he invented the AC motor, which is the foundation of today's electrical propulsion. While his colleague Thomas A. Edison championed DC, has discovered multi-phase power transformer, thus allowing a bargain prenešenje high voltage electricity over long distances, and its mass application.
He is considered the father of radio, although the merits of his life in this area appropriated Marconi. Injustice is corrected 1943rd U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that Tesla primacy belongs to the field of radio but, despite this redress, radio and associated more with Marconi. The discovery of the radio is considered one of his greatest inventions. He also worked on wireless energy transfer (his last major project was the construction of a giant tower on Long Island), he discovered X-rays and electron and his inventions was the forerunner of the modern weapons such as cruise missiles, and the Internet, because even a hundred years ago advocated the idea of "world system for connecting communication in one system." He left more than 700 patents and many of his inventions are still shrouded in secrecy. The man who pioneered technological developments of modern times, died in New York without public recognition, somewhat forgotten and lonely. About the injustices of the "Wizard of electricity" by the fact that three Nobel prizes awarded findings which was a pioneer Tesla - JJ Thompson got her to the discovery of the electron, W. Roentgen for his discovery of X-rays and G. Marconi to find a radio. Tesla though in recent decades it becomes a kind of scientific icons. In his honor the unit of magnetic induction is called tesla in the modern era and a brand of cars to electric drive. Interesting is the fact that he spoke eight languages fluently.
His inventions in the field of electrical engineering and discoveries in physics, left a strong imprint on the world, not only science, but their application reflected on improving the quality of life in general, which has earned the title of "the man who invented the twentieth century". Among other things, he invented the AC motor, which is the foundation of today's electrical propulsion. While his colleague Thomas A. Edison championed DC, has discovered multi-phase power transformer, thus allowing a bargain prenešenje high voltage electricity over long distances, and its mass application.
He is considered the father of radio, although the merits of his life in this area appropriated Marconi. Injustice is corrected 1943rd U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that Tesla primacy belongs to the field of radio but, despite this redress, radio and associated more with Marconi. The discovery of the radio is considered one of his greatest inventions. He also worked on wireless energy transfer (his last major project was the construction of a giant tower on Long Island), he discovered X-rays and electron and his inventions was the forerunner of the modern weapons such as cruise missiles, and the Internet, because even a hundred years ago advocated the idea of "world system for connecting communication in one system." He left more than 700 patents and many of his inventions are still shrouded in secrecy. The man who pioneered technological developments of modern times, died in New York without public recognition, somewhat forgotten and lonely. About the injustices of the "Wizard of electricity" by the fact that three Nobel prizes awarded findings which was a pioneer Tesla - JJ Thompson got her to the discovery of the electron, W. Roentgen for his discovery of X-rays and G. Marconi to find a radio. Tesla though in recent decades it becomes a kind of scientific icons. In his honor the unit of magnetic induction is called tesla in the modern era and a brand of cars to electric drive. Interesting is the fact that he spoke eight languages fluently.
Written June 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barufa
Rijeka, Croatia50 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Spent 2 hours there, it is well arranged. First there is the factual part - timeline following Tesla's life while putting it in historical context, then there are exhibits showcasing some of his inventions and finally there is a demonstration of high voltage transformer creating a magnetic field. At the end there is a possibility to watch a 30 mins movie with bad sound but it's actually quite interesting as it is trying to decipher Tesla's mind. Probably kids would find it boring, but there is a playground for them right outside.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
plankadams
Budapest, Hungary43 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
To be honest the whole visit was a complete dissapointment. The movie about Tesla was the most boring I have ever watched in my life. Morover the resolution was rubish I could not see the details.
5 out of 6 experiment tools was not functioning. This was outrageous. If Tesla was alive...
The only positive thing was that the staff was extremly helpful.
But it can not change the verdict...
5 out of 6 experiment tools was not functioning. This was outrageous. If Tesla was alive...
The only positive thing was that the staff was extremly helpful.
But it can not change the verdict...
Written August 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizara K
Seoul195 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This is a decent small museum about Tesla's life - a little over the top when raving about Tesla, but that's only to be expected from a small village known for nothing else. There are some interactive exhibits on the second floor, though without explanations of what you're seeing in them. I would have also liked to know a little about the house and what Tesla's life would have been like as a young boy living there in 19th century Croatia. The demonstration of the Tesla coil was definitely the highlight, though you can only see it once every two hours and this is not a place that takes more than about a half hour to enjoy - make sure you time your visit so you arrive at the right time. There is, for some reason, a no photos policy (not enforced) which seems kind of pointless here.
Written May 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbajozo
Split88 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
If you a driving from Zagreb to Split Gospić is in the middle of this voyage and Smiljan with Tesla memorial center is just 10 min from Motorway so take break go for a lunch (there are very good restaurants seriously cheaper than on Motorway restaurants) and visit it. memorial center was built few years ago and it is new, beautiful and interactive. Every two hours you can watch experiments in Tesla laboratory, and watch movie about his life. After this visit everyone would think about normal things on different way. Tesla was one of the most important person in the history of Science.
Written July 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Li S
Ely, UK921 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Staff were extremely helpful, and went out of their way to make sure we saw it all! A nice mix of interactive exhibits, with more in depth info if you wanted it. Highlight is when they fire up the million volt coil! Great for all ages, highly recommend.
Written May 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LorelaiAnn
Croatia16 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
This was such a disappointment! I was with my family on our way to the seaside and decided to visit this Memorial Center on our way. I'd rather we had spent that money on a lunch somewhere. Entrance fee is 50 kuna per person (7 EUR or $8) and it's just too much for what they have to offer. You won't see Tesla's room, you won't see an authentic display of his childhood living conditions, you won't see his inventions in action. You will get a chronological display of the facts from his life and some pictures. That's it. You can read all of that online. There are a few small "replicas" of his inventions, but they don't work. I actually learned more about Tesla, saw his inventions at work and had more fun at the Technical Museum in Zagreb! When we visited, the canal around the building had no water and all the fish died, the smell was terrible. Also, the souvenir shop was closed. On a work day (it was Tuesday). All in all, a very disappointing experience for my whole family. It's a shame that such a great man was not honored appropriately. Avoid this place.
Written August 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
María L
Madrid, Spain34 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The memorial doesn't deliver to the genius Tesla. 50kn per person, which could be fine if delivered something else than what you can read in Wikipedia
The demos of teslas inventions don't work and the hopefully most interesting thing (presentation and video) is only played every 2 hours...not much to do around to kill that waiting time...poor nikola would be disappointed with this "scientific park"
The demos of teslas inventions don't work and the hopefully most interesting thing (presentation and video) is only played every 2 hours...not much to do around to kill that waiting time...poor nikola would be disappointed with this "scientific park"
Written August 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jorge E. G.
Houston, TX36 contributions
How do you get there?
nevenjerkovic
Dubrovnik, Croatia2,035 contributions
Drive Croatian A1 Motorway (Zagreb-Split), leave A1 at exit Gospic and some 5 km follow sign SMILJANE
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