Enjoy a piece of history in Smiljan, a lovely village in the mountainous region of Lika, Croatia. Smiljan is known best for being the birthplace of Nikola Tesla, born on July 10, 1856.
In honor of the 150th anniversary celebration of this luminous pioneer and inventor, Croatian officials established a Tesla memorial complex, including a museum, within his restored childhood home.
Tesla’s residence, together with the Orthodox church of St. Peter and Paul (built in 1765), and the surrounding area, is complete with exhibits displaying Tesla’s inventions, and a museum detailing his life.
During the Croatian War of Independence, several of the buildings were severely damaged by fire. Croatian authorities restored them, reopening them in a 2006 ceremony, replete with the most prominent Serbian and Croatian dignitaries.
For those of you who will be traveling on “Croatia and Beyond!”, I look forward to exporting you on this memorial “add on excursion.