A ponten refers to a structure that emits or provides water. The word "ponten" is a local adaptation of the Dutch word fontein, meaning "fountain," which locals associated with the sound and appearance of flowing water. The Ponten was established by Sri Mangkunegara VII, who ruled from 1916 to 1944, and it was built in 1936. It is located in Kampung Ngebrusan, Stabelan Subdistrict, Banjarsari District, Surakarta City. The Mangkunegaran Ponten was designed by a Dutch architect named Thomas Karsten, who combined traditional and modern architectural styles in its construction.

This ponten has been designated as a cultural heritage structure and consists of two rooms on the left and right sides, each connected to a well located outside the building. At the front, there is one large bathroom and three smaller ones, with a water reservoir measuring 4×4 meters and a height of 1.5 meters. The establishment of this ponten was a significant step forward at a time when there was a clean water crisis and public bathing or sanitation facilities were difficult to access.

The construction of the ponten reflected the concern of the ruling authority, Mangkunegara VII, for public health and hygiene. It was intended to help improve the community’s living conditions by encouraging cleaner and healthier habits, ultimately helping prevent the spread of diseases. The ponten served primarily as a facility for bathing and for relieving oneself (defecation).