La visit to the Red Light District in Amsterdam it is mandatory if we go to the city. It is certainly not a tourist visit to do as a family, since this is the most famous neighborhood in the world for legalized prostitution. It is located in a very central area of the city and receives thousands of tourists a year, both curious and people who want to try the services offered.
Let get to know a little better the famous Red Light District of Amsterdam, which is so surprising for that very liberal concept in which they have made legal a profession as old but as stigmatized as prostitution. But this neighborhood is much more, since being so touristy there are also other entertainment venues.
History of the Red Light District
To get to the Red Light District as it is known today, with the current legislation regarding prostitution, many rounds have been taken. Already in the year 1413 proclaimed a statute declaring prostitutes necessary in large cities, accepting this type of work publicly. In 1810, with the French invasion, it went a step further, since until then prostitution was accepted but it was not legislated or controlled. With the French invasion a regulation was created that obliged all workers of this type to register with the police and undergo medical checks.
With the passage of time, brothels began to appear in which workers could be exploited in a way, so prostitution created a certain rejection. In the year 1911 Brothels were banned although prostitutes could practice their profession without retaliation by the state. This was only intended to end those who exploited the workers for their own benefit. This made the workers concentrate in certain areas, living in them, which would be the beginning of the Red Light District. In the sixties and seventies this neighborhood was already very famous for its workers and for sexual freedom. In 2000, the law that prohibited brothels was annulled, but in return they must pass strict hygiene and legal controls, to avoid illegal exploitation.
Where is it located
This famous neighborhood is located in the city center of Amsterdam. It is located to the left of the Central Station. It is also known as Red Light or Rosse Buurt. It has three districts, De Wallen, Ruysdaelkade and Singelgebied. It is in the oldest part of the city, where formerly there were fishermen's houses that were located on the dike that was created to protect the city from the tides. The neighborhood is bounded by the well-known Dam Square and Damrak Street.
What to see in the Red Light District
The main tourist attraction in this neighborhood are undoubtedly the brothels and the houses in which prostitutes are exhibited to get customers on a daily basis. It is recommended to see the neighborhood at night, since during the day many of these famous shop windows are closed, since there are not so many customers. At night the Red Light District lives up to its name and is filled with neon lights announcing the brothels, colors and lights in the windows that are opened to show the workers.
Today this neighborhood is a fashionable place, although several decades ago it was less welcoming. It is not a dangerous place at all And you just have to be careful with pickpockets who take advantage of the large number of tourists to steal, but this is something that happens in any big city.
In this neighborhood you can also find the famous Coffee Shops where you can smoke and also restaurants or bars to have a drink at night with a lively atmosphere. It is common to also find Sex Shops, which are already part of the tourist offer in the neighborhood.
It must be taken into account in this neighborhood that prostitutes cannot be filmed or photographed, something that is usually taken very seriously. Also, out of respect for them is something that should not be done. On the other hand, you should not buy anything from distributors in the area, as it is illegal and we may get into trouble.
Other nearby visits
The Red Light District is a really central place, so we can stop by after visiting other nearby places. TO walking distance is the Oude Kerk church, built in the fourteenth century. It is the oldest building in the city and is located within the Red Light District. Due to an iconoclastic movement, its interior was left without decoration so it is very sober. The stained glass windows and the great organ stand out.
A short distance away is also the Amstelkring Museum, one of the oldest, within which is a church that was clandestine in its time. Near the neighborhood there is also the ffamous Dam Square or the Rembrandt Museum.