Filmpalast Fachhochschule der Polizei
Explore the Filmpalast, the abandoned theater of the Fachhochschule der Polizei, a former police academy in Germany. This grand theater hall, once filled with officers in training, now stands silent, telling a story of history and transformation. The building housed two theaters, offices, and a museum, serving the police from 1950 to 2010.
The Fachhochschule der Polizei has a long history. Before it became a police academy, the site was part of a garrison town. It originally served as Wehrmacht barracks until the end of World War II.
The DDR Era
After the war, during DDR times, the site became a police school. In 1951, it opened as the Zentralschule der Volkspolizei. Over the years, the name, and role of the school changed several times:
- 1958–1963: Mittlere Polizeischule
- 1963–1965: Zentrale Lehranstalt des Ministeriums des Innern der DDR
- 1966: Fachschule
- 1967–1990: Offiziersschule des Ministeriums des Innern
After German Reunification
Following reunification in 1990, the site continued to train police officers. Two separate institutions operated here: the Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung und Rechtspflege Fachbereich Polizei and the Landespolizeischule. In 1997, they merged to form the Fachhochschule der Polizei.
Until 2005, students lived on campus. However, the last dormitories closed that year. By 2010, the school underwent major renovations, leading to a downsized campus. Some buildings were sold, including the Kulturhaus, home to the Filmpalast theater.
A Relic of the Past
Today, the Filmpalast stands abandoned, a reminder of the academy’s long history. This forgotten theater is a fascinating destination for urban explorers, offering a unique glimpse into Germany’s past and the transformations of this once-active site. I visited the theater in 2021.
