Gustav Janeček (November 30, 1848 – September 8, 1929) was a Croatian chemist and pharmacist of Czech origin, the founder of modern chemistry and pharmacy in Croatia. After completing his studies in Prague, and 4 years in Vienna, in 1879 he became an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Zagreb Faculty of humanities and social sciences.
Gustav Janeček 
The building in Zagreb where Gustav Janeček lived 
Memorial plaque on the building where Gustav Janeček lived
He was appointed as a dean for three times and as a rector of the University of Zagreb. He is responsible for the organization of chemistry studies following the example of European universities and for the construction and arrangement of two chemical institutes in Zagreb. In the year 1918 he founded the wholesale drugstore company named Isis Inc. (todays Medika), and in the year 1921, a drug factory Kaštel, Inc. in Karlovac, nowadays known as Pliva.
The building of the first chemistry institute of the University of Zagreb 
Memorial plaque on the building of the first chemistry institute of the University of Zagreb
The first building of the chemical institute that was built thanks to Gustav Janeček 
The second building of the chemical institute (today’s Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology ) that was built thanks to Gustav Janeček
Janeček was an enthusiast for Plitvice Lakes, and he is one of the founders of the Society for the Arrangement and Beautification of Plitvice Lakes in 1893 and was the vice-president of the Society for 35 years. He worked tirelessly on the promotion and arrangement of Plitvice Lakes. In 1896, the Society for the Arrangement and Beautification of Plitvice Lakes built the first hotel named Plitvice, and significantly contributed in building the trails, bridges and other infrastructure in order for the area to be more available to visitors. His unfulfilled dream was to build a railroad, which would contribute to better traffic connection of Plitvice Lakes with larger cities in Croatia, and enable easier travel to visitors to Plitvice Lakes.
In 1900, he bought a property in Labudovac from the merchant Devčić, where he arranged restaurant and guesthouse. He plants trees and arranges a park in the delta of Prošćansko Lake.
Labudovac in 1936 
Janeček’s home on Labudovac
On the right side of Milanovac Lake, next to the footpath, a memorial plaque has been placed in honor of Gustav Janeček, and the stairs leading from Sastavci to the top of the Veliki slap are called Janeček’s Stairs. He passed away in Zagreb on September 8, 1929, being 81 years old.
Memorial plaque near lake Milanovac 
The tomb of Gustav Janeček at the Mirogoj cemetery in Zagreb 
Memorial plaque on the tomb of Gustav Janeček
With his dedication and the dedication of other members of the Society, the Plitvice Lakes are opened to Croatia and the whole world. His wish was that each person could visit the Plitvice Lakes, and admire its natural beauties. Looking from a today’s perspective, we can say that they were successful because Plitvice Lakes are a world touristic and natural phenomenon.
