A red light district is a neighborhood where prostitution and other businesses in the sex industry flourish. The term “red light district” was first recorded in the United States in 1894, in an article in The Sentinel, a newspaper in Milwaukee. Other mentions from the 1890s are numerous, and located all over the United States. The famous Red light district of Amsterdam is called “De Wallen”.
Tourist Attraction
De Wallen is the largest and best-known red light district in Amsterdam and a major tourist attraction. It is located in the heart of the oldest part of Amsterdam, covering several blocks south of the church Oude Kerk and crossed by several canals. The red light district is a network of alleys containing a little less than three hundred tiny one-room cabins rented by female prostitutes who offer their services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights. The area also has a number of sex shops, sex theatres, peep shows, a sex museum, a cannabis museum, and a number of coffee shops that sell marijuana.
Origin of the red light district
The red light district has existed since the 14th century and formerly contained many distilleries, mainly catering to sailors. The name Wallen (walls) refers to the medieval retaining dam walls in the old center of Amsterdam.
Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, with the exception of streetwalking. However, only EU citizens can work legally in the industry, since no working permits are given for prostitution.
While health and social services are readily available, sex workers are not required to undergo regular health checks. A study conducted before 2006 found that about 7 percent of all Dutch prostitutes (including street prostitutes) have HIV/AIDS. Brothel owners and room operators often require health certificates before employing or leasing rooms
Latest legislation
In September 2007, the city council of Amsterdam at the behest of mayor Job Cohen, concerned about trafficking and pimping in the area, forced the owner Charlie Geerts to close 51 prostitution windows, reducing the total number of windows in De Wallen by a third. Amsterdam authorities bought 18 properties from Geerts, with the aim of developing the area with fashion designers and other up scale businesses.
Mariska Majoor of the Prostitution Information Centre and representatives of the sex worker rights group De Rode Draad have decried the decision, claiming it would not reduce crime but would only lead to higher rent and more competition for the remaining windows.
In January 2008 the city council announced plans to close the Casa Rosso live sex theatre and the Banana bar strip club in the area. Local business owners have formed the group “Platform 1012″ (named after the zipcode of the area) to oppose the efforts of the Amsterdam government.
Wanna walk through
In my previous post I recommended some tours in Amsterdam which will take you to pass through the Red Light District.
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The red light district is much like any other, seedy and disgusting, especially when it gets dark….
I would love to visit the red light district, purely for acaedemic purposes though. We have our own red light area in New Delhi, the GB road. It is allegedly the largest in Asia.
These areas. though are not positive publicity for any city, but as the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.
Mumbai Red Light district is shrinking…
lets hope the will stop now
I like the info… Check out this blog all about Amsterdam as well… http://funguidetoamsterdam.wordpress.com/
I have been thinking about taking a trip to Amsetrdam soon, is it any good? I was thinking about travelling by train as apparently this takes me right into the centre of Amsterdam? Does anyone know a bit more infomation? If so it would be really helpful! Thanks, kay!
what the fuck has been happening around the world.
Respective government of these countries should take some serious actions against these activities.
Make something illegal and you increase your countries crime rate. Provided this girls are of legal age and have consented to do this then I see no reason why they shouldn’t be. Make it illegal and you make what have been until now people making an honest living into criminals. I’ve seen it happen in my country. Making it illegal does not work. It’s better and safer than street walking.
The Red Light District is truly one of the most interesting Amsterdam attractions
Yes I was there
It is pretty cool
[www.holland.net]
Het Online Red Light District is minstens zo interressant als de echte Wallen in Amsterdam.
I’ve recently joined a tour on the red light district in Amsterdam. Was really worth the money! learned a lot of stuff, which can’t be found in the Loney Planet
http://www.amsterdamredlightdistricttour.com/tours
just got back from an 8 day river cruise thru the netherlands. one of the best trips we have ever made. i felt, however, i needed a shower after simply walking thru amsterdam red light. the working window girls did not appear attractive at all. some were over weight. why anyone finds this disease swapping business attractive is beyond my comprehension.