Illustrates Felipe Cachopa
Edition Felipe van Deursen
Well shaken. De Wallen, as it is called, has around 290 windows, where prostitutes offer their services 22 hours a day. The port in the region and the consequent movement of people attracted these professionals, and neither the Protestant Reformation, in the 16th century, nor a series of prohibitions eliminated their presence. Over time, prostitutes gained rights, but they are still threatened. In the 2000s, the government reduced the windows to combat trafficking in women. The reason is questioned by many people, who think that the idea, deep down, is to gentrify the neighborhood, that is, to make it nobler and attract a new, richer public.
– (Felipe Cachopa)
It’s in the law
Since 2000, window prostitution (and in brothels, private houses and agencies) has been legal, unlike street prostitution. As self-employed, they must register with the Chamber of Commerce and, since 2011, pay income tax. In addition, they are entitled to two months of vacation
Rights and duties
The owners of the windows rent the space in shifts of a maximum of 11 hours for up to 120 euros and must ensure safety and hygiene. Prostitutes pay for bed linen, towels, gas, electricity, water, cleaning and sexual accessories. They can define their working hours and the prices they charge as they wish (on average, a 15-minute session costs €50)
What a zone!
Not only does prostitution live in the neighborhood. There are sex venues, coffee shops that sell drugs like hashish and marijuana (legalized there) and sex shops, as well as museums, bars, restaurants and the oldest church in the city.
BIG BROTHER
To ensure the safety of the neighborhood, the police use a camera system and make frequent patrols. In addition, with the help of civil servants, it inspects each window at least eight times a year. The brothels also have their own security systems with panic buttons, which are activated by the prostitutes in case of emergency.
MAPPED CRAZY
Famous points of the neighborhood Light red
Listen Kerk The oldest building in the city, the old church is now a museum and organizes exhibitions on various topics.
Het Gulden Vlies (Condomerie) Famous condom shop selling condoms in all shapes, colors, sizes and flavors
spanish corner It has this name because it concentrates the prostitutes of South America
Marijuana and Hashish Museum Tells the story of the plant, talks about medicinal use and cultivation
Casa Rosso Traditional spot in the city, it has striptease shows, explicit sex and sadomasochism
Information Center for Prostitutes Coordinated by a former professional, it provides information for tourists and helps colleagues solve work problems
bananenbar Women do sex shows with bananas
Erotic Museum There are exhibitions of sex toys and even erotic drawings made by John Lennon
TWO LAST CURIOSITIES:
– Amsterdam has two other areas with prostitution in windows: the Singel canal and Ruysdaelkade street
– Not all professionals use light red. In general, transgender windows have blue light bulbs.
SEE TOO:
+ Why is Holland also called the Netherlands?
+ How was the Dutch occupation in Brazil?
+ Debate: should prostitution be regulated?
+ What was sex like in antiquity?
SOURCES Amsterdam Red Light District Tours, Behind the Red Light District, Iamsterdam and Gemeente Amsterdam