De wallen

Red-lit windows along one of the channels

De Wallen ( De Wallen ; De Walletjes ) - the largest and most famous of the red light districts in Amsterdam . Being one of the oldest districts of the city, De Wallen has the architecture and structure typical of 14th-century Amsterdam ^[1] (although some of the buildings were recently built). The quarter also adjoins a small Chinatown .

The quarter consists of a network of canals and alleys containing approximately three hundred one-room cabins with display cases, rented by prostitutes who provide their sexual services outside a window or glass door, usually illuminated by red light. These "cameras" are the most common and typical type of sex services provided in the red light district in Amsterdam, and a great tourist attraction.

In the quarter there are sex shops , sex theaters, peep shows, a cannabis museum, coffee shops selling marijuana . In addition, the Museum of Prostitution is open here. Located in a former brothel, it acquaints visitors with the history and realities of today's life of prostitutes ^[2] .

In addition to the red light in De Wallen, you can find cabins with lanterns in lilac. This suggests that a transvestite is behind the glass. Men also offer their services, but not in De Wallen. Blue lanterns can be found on the banks of Amstela . ^[3]

De Wallen, together with the Singelgebied and Ruysdaelkade neighborhoods, together form the Rossse Buurt, the red light district of Amsterdam. At the same time, de Wallen is the oldest and largest quarter.

From January 1, 2020, excursions to the quarter will be prohibited for viewing windows as tourist sites. Authorities explain the ban by showing respect for female sex workers. ^[four]