Sightseeing Amsterdam: Red Lantern Quarter
Red Light Quarter (Netherl. De Wallen or de Walletjes) is considered one of the most visited tourist sites Amsterdam. This area leads its story since the middle of the XIV century. There were numerous taverns in which sailors and travelers were rested after a long marine sailing.
It is the proximity to the port and the center of the city and the reason for choosing this place by workers in the ancient profession. Literally in a couple of years, the quarter turned into a unique mixture of brothels, churches and beer. The municipality under the pressure of priests has long tried to fight debauchery and drunkenness for a long time, but in the end, the district legalized, and he became a full-fledged tourist attraction of Amsterdam.
The quarter is built up with stone houses of the XVII century, which were subsequently converted to modern needs. Now here is flourishing "Window" Prostitution: girls put themselves at the showcases with red lights, setting up customers and providing them with sexual services. The main street of the red lanterns quarter is the Barmusstrate (Netherl. Warmoesstraat) on which there is a large number of sex shops. Nearby located Museum of Sex, considered the oldest institution of this kind. There is a huge collection of erotic paintings, photographs, postcards and cards, collected a variety of sex toys and fixtures from all over the world. Even the square in front of Audecerk in 2007 was "Decorated" Monument to prostitute.
Prostitution in Holland is a legal business, taxes are paid with it and even there is a trade union "Priests of love", Well, the abundance of this kind of contingent in the port of once, the region is essentially the historical tradition of the city. In fact, it would be more correct to call "Red windows area", Because in such a specific entourage and submit their services local houses of tolerance. Well, tourists attracted closeness "Forbidden entertainment" To the most beautiful monuments of the city, forever fill these streets by a noisy crowd.
Photographing here is prohibited, and the contingent is very specific, so in fact one of the most beautiful and most ancient sections of the city around the oldest church of Amsterdam completely falls out of all guidebooks. But the stores are broken from candid videos, magazines and sex toys, the oldest coffee shop of the city The Bulldog Coffeeshop It works too here (Oudezijds Voorburgwal, 132), open Museum of Marijuana Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum (Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 148), Specialized Exhibition Red Light Secrets (Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 60) and Museum of Erotics (Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 54), as well as popular "Frivolous bars" Bananenbar and Caso Rosso.
Most of the picturesquely decorated bars and cafes in the area are not distinguished by sophistication and diversity, so it’s not worth entering them – it is better to visit more decent places in the nearby Chinese quarter or on Nieuwmarkt Square. But, contrary to popular opinion, RLD is the safest area of Amsterdam, since in addition to ordinary policemen, there are a lot of private guards hired by the employees of the quarter. Although the quarter is open around the clock, most of the action takes about 22: 00-03: 00, when the area literally tends to people, red lights and showcases are picturesquely reflected in the ink water of the channels.
All the most interesting occurs the quarter of the red lights at night
Light backlight on the street justifies the title of the quarter
Route: The Red Light Quarter is located between Damrak Streets, Zeedijk, Damstraat and Nieuwmarkt Square. The nearest metro station is called Nieuwmarkt. You can get to it on foot from Central Square (Netherl. De Dam) in just a few minutes.
