Amsterdam’s red-light district is perhaps one of the most famous in the world and has become a symbol for the dutch liberalism that is notorious amongst a traditionally conservative Europe. The red light district is now most famous for prostitution which is legal in Holland but is also known for it’s drugs and drinking, again due to relaxed laws in the country as a whole. But nowadays the red light district is becoming something of a tourist attraction due to it’s colorful history and rich heritage.
Indeed the red light district dates back to the 14th century when Amsterdam was a key port along the shipping routes of Europe. It was a stop off for weary sailors who enjoyed a good drink and soon became known for its breweries and distilleries that served many drinking establishments. Along with the drinking came the prostitution as the area was flooded with sailors far from home that offered easy business for this most historic of trades.
Before long there were established sex shops and brothels springing up all over the area and what is now known as the traditional red light district has been born. Little changed over the years and centuries that followed apart from Amsterdam became less important as a shipping route and so the sailors left. But by now Amsterdam’s red light district had a strong reputation and people travelled from miles around to visit for the sex industry alone. The red light district continued to thrive and grow and indeed one of the best known areas of the district, De Wallen, covered many street blocks and canals in the heart of the city.
Today, Amsterdam has become a prime destination for stag parties and hen parties as pre-marital joliment is sought in ever more extreme ways. But the notoriety of the district has also attracted many visitors who are not there to experience the vices on offer but who simply wish to observe this area that has become part of Amsterdam’s rich history. There is now even a world famous “sex museum” to attract tourism! Either way the red light district is still big business in Amsterdam and continues to grow, despite some controversy in recent years regarding human trafficking. An influx of African and Eastern European women sparked many investigations into the legality of people coming to Amsterdam and often the results were unacceptable in that they highlighted the ugly side of the business. Women were being tricked into prostitution in exchange for passage into the country and many suffered in appalling conditions.
But the red light district has come out fighting, taking a tough stance on those who commit such offenses and closing down brothels and clubs associated with the practices. Amsterdam is keen to lose the image the investigations may have portrayed and is doing much to promote the good conditions that exist within the district.
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