The Nikola Tesla Museum, which is visited by more than 170,000 people annually, houses the original archive of the famous Serbian scientist. This valuable collection was included in the UNESCO “Memory of the World” Register in 2003, providing the highest form of protection for a cultural asset. But, did you know that a large part of these items is hidden in the depots of the current museum on Krunska Street?
Due to the limited exhibition space of only 200 square metres, many exhibits are not available to the public. Nevertheless, with the move to a new location, to Vojvoda Misic Boulevard 10, the priceless scientific heritage will gain as much as 20 times more space, so that every item will be adequately displayed to visitors.
The former Milan Vapa Paper Mill building will become the home of Tesla’s impressive legacy, making the Sava’s right bank richer for another extremely important cultural landmark, and residents of Belgrade Waterfront for the privilege to be surrounded by the legacy of one of the greatest minds in history, whose birth anniversary was celebrated on July 10th with a spectacular projection at Kula Belgrade.
A New Life for an Old Architectural Gem
Where is Tesla moving to? The paper mill on today’s Bulevar Vojvode Mišića was built between 1921 and 1924 by industrialist Milan Vapa. It was the first factory constructed in Serbia immediately after the end of World War I. The large space of the building was initially intended for the production and storage of paper, but the mill ceased operations after World War II. Later, it was used for international freight forwarding services, foreign trade, and goods transportation. However, for years it has only been used as a warehouse. Despite being an industrial building, the architectural elements contribute to its representativeness, and the facade reflects the academic style.
Following the planned reconstruction of Milan Vapa’s Paper Mill and its conversion into a new cultural facility, formalized with the recent signing of a contract with the Ministry of Culture, the full potential of this industrial architectural gem in Belgrade will be utilized, and the building will gain new splendor thanks to the funding from Belgrade Waterfront. After the Belgrade Cooperative building, the Bristol Hotel, and the Old Post Office, new life will be breathed into another significant representative of the rich architectural heritage of the Serbian capital.
Hidden Treasury of a Genius Under Key
The museum collection currently consists of nine sets containing over 1,200 officially registered items. This collection comprises original technical objects from the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, personal and clothing items, as well as medals and decorations awarded to Tesla. However, the most remarkable jewel of the museum is the personal archive, which is housed in 548 boxes and contains nearly 164,000 documents, manuscripts, scientific notes, calculations, diagrams, drawings, and letters.
For safety, all items are carefully packed in acid-free papers and cartons and are currently stored in metal, fireproof cabinets, while larger items are placed on shelves in locked depots. The limitation of the current exhibition space prevents visitors from seeing the entire impressive legacy. At the new address, in a space deserving of a giant like Nikola Tesla, many items will finally see the light of day.
Visitors will be able to view a greater number of exhibits, more working models of Tesla’s inventions, and hear additional stories about his life and scientific work. The exhibition will also feature a special personal library, as well as 57 special albums containing approximately 13,000 bound newspaper clippings providing insights into the great scientist’s social life.
In addition to the future Historical Museum of Serbia, which will be housed in the former Main Railway Station building, the museum and two theater stages in the Old Post Office building, which is also awaiting reconstruction, and the educational campus whose construction has begun, Belgrade Waterfront is expanding its cultural offer and is steadily becoming the capital’s cultural epicentre.
