The inner sanctum of Hamburg's "Mile of Sin" looks as if it has been built to withstand a terrorist attack. Twelve-foot-high barricades block off both ends of the notorious Herbertstrasse brothel and large signs warn visitors: "Under 18s and women β Verboten! Past the barricades, about a dozen prostitutes in full pornographic regalia sit perched in narrow shop windows on shiny swivel chairs covered with Playboy towels.
They look like kinky Barbie dolls. Each one has a little glass porthole in her window to help her negotiate with clients. Last Tuesday at around 10pm the only punters on Herbertstrasse were two Asian men enjoying a fit of the giggles. They walked up and stared transfixed at the street's most spectacular exhibit β a full-blown Teutonic dominatrix in knee-high black leather boots, matching corset and a mane of hair that covered surreal breasts.
The dominatrix did not bat an eyelid or even look up. She was too engrossed in the novel she was reading. Controlled and legal prostitution β at least the kind that made Hamburg's Reeperbahn famous and profitable for decades β is dying in what still rates as one of the world's most famous red light districts.
And if the scene witnessed on what is reputed to be the area's most titillating street brothel was anything to go by, even its practitioners have become bored with the idea of organised sex for sale.
The message was driven home explicitly less than a week ago with the announcement that Hamburg's oldest brothel is to shut down for good next month having provided an uninterrupted service for its clients for the past 60 years. Hotel Luxor is located in what could be described as the Reeperbahn's heart: a narrow side street called Grosse Freiheit or "Big Freedom".
