The oldest profession in the freest city: the history of the red Light district in Amsterdam

On the eve of the legalization of prostitution in the Netherlands, historical photographs of the red light district surfaced online, showing the life of the city and "sex workers", as they are commonly called in Amsterdam, in the late XIX - early XX century.

The oldest and largest of all the blocks that together form the red light district, the De Wallen quarter has architecture typical of 14th-century Amsterdam. It consists of a network of alleys containing approximately three hundred one-room cabins with showcases rented by prostitutes who provide their sexual services outside a window or glass door, usually illuminated with red light.

Already in the XIV century, on these streets, women from the windows of houses called men passing by — mostly sailors. To distinguish the house where one could knock in search of carnal love, a red lantern was hung on the door. Hence the name of the quarter, which later became a household name.

The photo with the title "Queens of the Street", taken around 1900, shows sex workers in long dresses on the sidewalk. Prostitution was legalized in Amsterdam by the French after the occupation of 1811, after which it remained legal for 100 years.

Behind the curtains: in the photo of 1919 — a sagging bed of one of the workers of the quarter. The picture was taken to highlight the poor working conditions of sex workers after prostitution became illegal in 1911.

"Portrait of an unknown prostitute", taken around 1890. At that time, about 70 brothels were opened and legally operated in Amsterdam.

Located near the port, De Wallen has historically been a neighborhood that attracted ladies of easy virtue in Amsterdam, although prostitution has long been outlawed: the church considered extramarital sex a sin. After the country was invaded by Napoleon in 1810, the ban on prostitution was lifted.

All this is just business: an advertising poster of the brothel "Dom Vainthal" — one of the most prestigious establishments at that time, which had, among other amenities, a winter garden and a salon.

And this is the founder of the aforementioned brothel, Madame Vainthal (full name — hardly pronounced Jurjentje Aukes Rauwerda). The establishment founded by her had more than two hundred employees "at headquarters" and was located within walking distance from the Royal Palace. Rumor has it that she and King William III had an illegitimate child.

Two female employees, accompanied by a pimp, sit outside waiting for customers, 1905.

Bloedstraat, or "Bloody Street", in 1929.

Today, this street is famous for the fact that transgender people mainly work on it — presumably, hence the sparseness.No one canceled family walks: a scene from Grote Hautstraat, located near the red light district, in 1894, when the sex trade industry was in full swing.

Grote Hautstraat today: cafes, coffee shops and grocery stores - all around the corner from the red light district.

The old church Square in the red Light district in May 1894 — just a few years before violent protests and campaigns for the criminalization of prostitution.

The same square today: the old church gets along well next door to sin.

The house on the back side of the street Warmos in 1905. After the criminalization of prostitution, more than one building turned to this state.The oldest district of Amsterdam is Oudejits, circa 1890.

Warmos Street — 1900.

On the canals: part of the De Wallen district. Recently, the city authorities adopted a new law, according to which tourists in this quarter will be fined if they brazenly stare at the workers, and simply behave indecently, including noisy drinking of alcohol, which is not uncommon on the streets of the district.