District Windows Lit by Red Lights
De Wallen
also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt, is the largest and best-known district in Amsterdam, a major tourist attraction. It is a network of alleys containing several hundred tiny one-room apartments rented by females (and some males) who offer their services from behind a window. It also has a number of curious shops, theatres, shows, a museum, a cannabis museum, and a number of coffee shops offering various cannabis products.
De Wallen is located in the heart of the oldest part of Amsterdam, covering several blocks south of the church Oude Kerk and crossed by several canals. The name Wallen refers to the names of the two canals in the area, the Oudezijds Achterburgwal and the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. The red light district has existed since the 14th century and formerly contained many distilleries, mainly catering to sailors.