December 13, 2024, 6:17 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Zurich’s “Blüemlihalle” is currently experiencing a big hype on social media as the “most beautiful police station in the world”. The Giacometti frescoes have become so popular that the police station is literally overrun by tourists. Now, new rules apply for access.

The “Blüemlihalle” is Located in the Police Station in Zurich

The entrance hall, also known as the “Blüemlihalle”, has become increasingly popular thanks to social media. And this enthusiasm for the Giacometti Hall quickly had a noticeable impact. More and more people want to experience the glowing frescoes in person and take their own photos. The “Blüemlihalle” is now one of the most popular excursion destinations in Zurich and is also recommended on Instagram.

To get to the hall, however, visitors have to pass through the entrance to the Urania guardhouse. The city’s website therefore also includes the following note: “The hall is located in a police building. We ask for your understanding if the hall has to be closed unannounced due to short-term police operations.”

Crowds of Tourists Caused Problems for Zurich Police Station

According to the “Tagesanzeiger” newspaper, a spokesperson for the Zurich police said that access to the Giacometti Hall could hardly be managed by the staff at the regional police station in the city. There were times when visitor numbers of over 3,000 people per month were recorded. The surge of visitors disrupted the station’s operations, with officers finding themselves increasingly preoccupied with managing the influx of guests.

To get this problem under control, the police station in Zurich has changed the access system for the “Blüemlihalle”. Since October 2023, tours have only been possible in guided groups of a maximum of 20 people. Opening hours have also been restricted. Access is now only possible from Wednesday to Saturday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Interested parties meet at the meeting point in front of the building and are accompanied by a guide on a free ten-minute tour.

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Visitor Management Shows Effect

The implementation of visitor management has markedly improved the situation at Zurich’s Urania police station. Isolated incidents persist, with visitors occasionally obstructing the entrance during emergencies or causing unease for those wishing to file reports. Nonetheless, the new entry protocol is generally met with positive feedback.

According to the Art and Construction Unit in the Department of Buildings, which has been responsible for the tours since the new measures were introduced, a total of 16,327 people visited the “Blüemlihalle” between October 2023 and October 2024. This corresponds to an average visit of over 80 people on the four afternoons per week that the hall was open. While these figures represent a significant decrease from the post-coronavirus peak, Markus Pfanner, spokesperson for the Department of Buildings, notes a recent sharp uptick in attendance. It remains to be seen whether further measures will be taken to stem the flow of tourists to the police station in Zurich.