A wave of tourists staring at women in lingerie behind red-lit windows. Often seen as an area dedicated to sin and vice, the history behind the Red Light District is much longer and richer than most people can imagine. Shall we? Sex work in the area can be traced back to around the s, when De Wallen was still a trading port.
The first sex workers in the Red Light District had a loyal clientele consisting of sailors bringing merchandise into the area. That is to say that prostitution in Amsterdam is as old as the city itself! As trade prospered in Amsterdam, the city swelled in size and prostitution larger.
From the 15th century, there were already brothels and taverns in De Wallen where paid-for sex was offered. In the 16th century, sex work became prohibited and morally condemned as a consequence of the Reformation. The Reformists were stricter about their religious beliefs, and thought sex work was sinful and should be punished.
From then onwards, views on sex workers changed a lot throughout history. The last blow to prostitution in Amsterdam was in when a brothel ban was established. This was the result of political collaboration between Orthodox Christians and feminists. Feminists in the early 20th century were scared that socially tolerated prostitution would lead to an increase in women trafficking. Prostitution survived and thrived! So, how did sex workers in the Red Light District begin to offer paid-for sex through their windows?
After the brothel ban was established, sex workers needed a subtle way to offer their services. Standing behind their windows proved to be the perfect solution!
