Molensteeg: From Windmills to Pickpockets

The alley Molensteeg connects Nieuwmarkt with the Oude Kerk, cutting straight through the Red Light District. So the eclectic crowd bustling around you now has some very deep historical roots. And not without consequences – in 2010, this alley was even named the most criminal street in Amsterdam! So as you walk through, keep an eye on your belongings and pockets.
But let’s get back to the name. It points to a time when windmills once spun their blades here, powering various mechanisms. Why "various"? Because besides grinding grain, the energy from the mills was often used for all kinds of production – and even as water pumps.