Nikola Tesla was born in the village of Smiljan , which was then part of the Austrian Empire and is in present‑day Croatia.

Quick Scoop

  • Birthplace: Smiljan, a small rural village in the Lika region.
  • Historical status: At the time of his birth in 1856, Smiljan lay in the Military Frontier of the Austrian Empire.
  • Today: Smiljan is located within modern Croatia and is home to a memorial complex and museum dedicated to Tesla.

In short, if you’re answering “where was Nikola Tesla born,” the concise answer is: Smiljan, in what is now Croatia (then the Austrian Empire).

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