At the time when Jakarta was known as Batavia, Menteng area was designed to be the first garden city (tuinstad) in Indonesia. Menteng is a residential area (from back then and up until now). The early design for the lay out of houses in Menteng area was each of every house built in a middle of spacious garden that planted with shade trees and various flowers to create a fresh atmosphere. The terrace was the favorite place of the house to lounged where you can enjoy your cup of tea in the afternoon accompanied by bitterballen or croquette (a savoury Dutch snack) or simple banana fritter after a day activity. While enjoying the breeze, you can hear the shout out of street vendor passing by selling bakso or semprong or serabi (Indonesian traditional food). Nowadays, a house such as described above is only left a few.
Tempo.co
Bouwmaatschappij N.V. de Bouwploeg together with P.A.J. Moojen (1879-1955) were the initiator in designing road pattern and built Nieuw-Gondangdia, the former name of Menteng. Moojen designed Indische Woonhuizen or Tropical Classicism, where the particular elements had been faded and soften the typical European classicism.
They built an office building, Bouwploeg building (gedung Boplo) in 1912 which is now turned into a mosque of Cut Meutia. If you see the pictures below, you’ll notice there is a discontinuation of the big staircase from the second floor. The staircase didn’t end up on the first (ground) floor, where it was in the middle of the entrance hall. It was remodeled to have more space for people to pray.
They built an office building, Bouwploeg building (gedung Boplo) in 1912 which is now turned into a mosque of Cut Meutia. If you see the pictures below, you’ll notice there is a discontinuation of the big staircase from the second floor. The staircase didn’t end up on the first (ground) floor, where it was in the middle of the entrance hall. It was remodeled to have more space for people to pray.
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Moojen designed and built Bataviasche Kunstkring (1913) on the entree of Gondangdia, which was used as the Immigration office in 1997. Kunstkring is an art gallery and a technical bureau (Kunst = art; Kring = circle). Now, in the present time, Kunstkring turned back into an art gallery which also a restaurant.
Kunstkring is located in jalan Teuku Umar. Just opposite the street, there is this old house that attract my attention. This house was built around 1910 and from the black and white picture that was taken in 1939, there was a kiosk just in front of the house. Back then, you can found a kiosk such as this one in every intersection in Menteng.
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If we go straight in jalan Teuku Umar away from Kunstkring, we will find Taman (park) Suropati that was once named Burgemeester Bisschopplein after the first Batavia mayor's name, G.J. Bisshop (1916-1920). There is a turn to the left before Taman Suropati, that will lead you to Taman Situ lembang an artificial lake. The park is quite nice suitable for children to take a stroll in the afternoon or morning.
Suropati park
Address: Jl. Taman Suropati
Address: Jl. Taman Suropati
Suropati park is the meeting point of three main road; jalan Teuku Umar, jalan Diponegoro, and jalan Imam Bonjol. Perfect for jogging, walking your dog, or simply to read a book. If you are lucky, in Sunday morning you will find a small orchestra played by children. Their name is Taman Suropati Chamber. Have a look on the video below, I shared from youtube account: Kristin Dameria.
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BAPPENAS building
A government office building that used to be a Vrijmetselarij Loge or the place where freemason member gather. Built in 1925 by Dutch architect F.J.L. Ghijsels born in Tulung Agung, East Java, in 1882.
A government office building that used to be a Vrijmetselarij Loge or the place where freemason member gather. Built in 1925 by Dutch architect F.J.L. Ghijsels born in Tulung Agung, East Java, in 1882.
| Saint Paulus Church Next door neighbor of Bappenas building is Saint Paulus church. An Art Deco architecture built in 1936 also by F. J. L. Ghijsels as the architect. From 1936 until 1948 the church was called Nassaukerk. | |
Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi
Address: Jl. Imam Bonjol No.1
Address: Jl. Imam Bonjol No.1
An Art Deco styled architecture, built in 1920s by Dutch architect J.F.L. Blankenberg. Owned by Nillmij insurance which is the forerunner of Jiwasraya insurance company. Aside of being a home of so many hosts, the most important point in our fight for freedom history, this house was the place where our first president, Soekarno, along with Hatta and Ahmad Soebardjo gathered to formulate our proclamation text that was read by Soekarno the next morning, August 17th 1945, in front of his house. The day that became Indonesia’s Independence day.
There are a lot of places that is interesting in Menteng district. I shall try to review most of it (one by one), but surely not in one article. Please follow our twitter @shrayakulture to find out an up date when we post the part 2 of this "The Menteng District" article. -SK-
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