Old Architectures

One of attractions offered is the historical outlook on every detail of those architectural structures. Look back to the development history of coffee cultivation, then we realize how important the Dutch colonial thoughts in building several facilities to accommodate people on every duty. Moreover, at present, we can witness the existing architecture and some of them still function similar to what it had set up more than a century ago. Some managerial system use unchanged procedure toward what was Dutch doing in the colonial era. At least, we can determine for whatever Dutch's influence during a colonial era, this tremendously gives something benefit toward people there for make a living.

Not just the lush coffee plantation stretch over Ijen plateau estate, which is the only Dutch heritage, but also there are some to mention and still be a witness of historical landmark to tell on.


Catimore Homestay ( 900m)

Built in 1894. The highlight is from the structure of building. The foundation of building made it higher than land surface while half of the wall material is designed from bamboo, deliver a classic touch. Examining to the construction of building, the foundation made from river stone for its stability, then goes to the upper part made from a light material. It is obvious that it was built to extend for the effect of severe quakes, like many building concept found in some architecture books.

Different from the outdoor appearance, when we come into the room, the nuance is totally difference – warm and old-fashioned style brings us to the retro colonial era. Wooden floor and bamboo fence still cover the interior space with its pastel paint and most the furniture made of wood. Decorated with old desaturated photo frames bring us to the era of 1800’s when the first owner, an expatriate sinder Degener resided for years to get occupied here, in Blawan. Series of repro photos of him and his family displayed at one of room corridor.


Jampit Guess House (1600 m)

Built in 1927. The highlight is from the building architecture and the spread of various flowerbed flourished here. The house was made of wood with a wooded roof board. There is a two-stories building. The first floor consists of four primary room covered with tick carpet and bathroom inside. On the second floor, there is a kitchen and dining room. The style of guest house adapted from European architecture style, in addition, it is equipped with fireplace. Looking out the window, there is the beauty of flower blooming on the yard and the shadow of mountainous landscape seeing from the veranda.

The guest house and its garden are intentionally well cared. Visitor is possible to see numerous type of flower from Europe which hardly seen elsewhere in the city.

It has been a tradition for every visitor overnight here must taste the delicious snack made of a mixture of fried potatoes and honey. A match companion while it served with hot Arabica coffee.


Pondok Bunder (Circle Shelter) (2214 m)

The shelter was built in 1920 while Dutch occupied the place. Why it is called a circle, yes because it forms definitely a circle. In Javanese term the name should be Pondok Bunder. Formerly, it was a circle-shape building but accidentally once in while, the standing tower installed near to the building fallen off, stroke and made it collapse, therefore now we can see only a half-circle structure.
The primary function was to measure the volume of rain drops and to monitor the excess water from Ijen Crater Lake. Located about 2 km up to Pos Paltuding.

Dam Barrier (2145 m)

Dam barrier built in almost the same year of the construction of Pondok Bunder. There are 4 channels which have function to preserve the level of exceeding water lake. The scenario had been well created whenever the exceeding water happen at any time then the water flow down into Kalipait, this would recover the nearest populated area. In 1986, the building had been renovated for any destructive part of building.
Even though there is less than a kilometre - approximately about 800m to reach Dam Barrier from Circle Shelter but be careful to reach up to the site, this going to be harmful because there is a short ravine at the left side. However, for nature lover this would be a breathtaking view as we can see a mountainous range that is Mt. Raung, Mt, Suket, Mt, Ranti, Mt, Roti, Mt Papak, Kalisat and Blawan plantation estate and a huge caldera rim of Mt.Ijen.
Standing from Dam Barrier, to reach to the edge of the crater that is about 100 m long, we can hike onto 210 steps upstairs’. There is a barrier formed from a boulder with the tall size is about 50 m and from the right side, a magnificent panorama of the stunning water lake come alive with us.
Historically said, the path toward Dam Barrier was the initial route used to lead any sulphur workers to the fumaroles site where there is a location of massive deposit of sulphuric rock. Of course the only way to reach it by making a bridge of connection. At that time, the only method had operated a sampan - a small flat-bottomed boat made of bamboo, across two-ways. Today, the path has been abandoned, the workers choose the alternative way to go down into the crater that it would be better, perhaps …

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