Like Kotabaru, Bintaran served as an alternative residence for the Dutch community in Indonesia. It began to develop when the Loji Kecil area became overcrowded. Although you can reach Bintaran by walking east from the Gondomanan crossroad, its growth was not as rapid as that of Kotabaru. One reason for this was its proximity to Loji Kecil, which allowed easy access to various amenities.
Before it became an Indische neighborhood, Bintaran was known for Ndalem Mandara Giri, the residence of Prince Haryo Bintoro, a descendant of the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom. The transformation of Bintaran into an Indische settlement is believed to have started in the 1930s, marked by the construction of homes, a church, and even a prison. The Dutch residents of Bintaran primarily consisted of officials and workers from the nearby sugar factory.
When YogYES visited, Bintaran, like other Indische kampongs, was adorned with buildings featuring distinctive European-style architecture. However, the architectural style in Bintaran differs from that of Loji Kecil or Kotabaru. Homes in Bintaran typically have larger yards, smaller verandahs supported by numerous pillars, exterior window shutters designed as blinds, and interior window panes embellished with glass.
A notable historical structure in the area is Ndalem Mandara Giri, which showcases an exotic architectural blend of Javanese and Dutch styles. The Javanese influence is evident in the hall, constructed from materials specially sourced from Demak in 1908. In contrast, the Dutch architectural elements are reflected in the spacious layout and high walls, featuring large windows with two leaves typical of Dutch design.
After Prince Haryo Bintoro departed from this location, descendants from various kingdoms took residence there. The spacious hall of the house served as a keris exhibition room, even though the house has been vacant since 1997. Currently, this building, which you can easily spot at the T-junction after turning left from Sultan Agung road, operates as the office of Karta Pustaka, an Indonesian-Netherlands institution.
Nearby Ndalem Mandara Giri, you can find other historical structures. One notable building is the Sasmitaloka Jenderal Soedirman, located on the left side of Bintaran road. Established in 1890, this building originally served as the residence for the finance office of Paku Alam VII castle, known as Wijnschenk. It later became the official residence of General Soedirman and subsequently the home of Tukul Company after Indonesia gained independence.
On Sultan Agung road, the Biology Museum was once the residence of the local military supervisor for Paku Alaman. The former home of a Dutch individual named Henry Paul Sagers now houses the Fire Department office. Another significant historical site is the Dutch prison, which is currently used as Wirogunan prison.
Like many Indische residences, Bintaran also features a church. Interestingly, Bintaran Church was established due to the discomfort Javanese people felt with the Dutch way of praying. H. van Driessche, SJ, a Dutch-Indonesian, oversaw the church’s construction, which is situated at the southern end of Bintaran road. The church, built in 1931 and named Saint Josef Church, reflects Father Driessche’s prayer to Saint Josef during his search for a suitable location.
In addition to its historical buildings, Bintaran now boasts a vibrant culinary scene. One of the most popular spots is Bakmi Kadin, known for its fried and boiled noodles, located in West Bintaran.