John Lennon Wall
On Velkopřevorské náměstí in Malá Strana, a garden wall became a place to remember John Lennon and express ideas about peace and freedom. Its changing layers of paint are part of the story: this has never been a monument with one permanent appearance.
How the wall became a memorial
After Lennon’s death in December 1980, his portrait appeared on the wall along with candles, song references and messages. The memorial grew into a place where people could express feelings that had little space in official public life. Lennon himself never visited Prague.
Messages under communist rule
The wall gathered more than tributes to a musician. Messages about freedom and criticism of the communist regime made it a focus for dissent. People returned even when paintings and slogans were removed, and gatherings around the wall could lead to confrontation with the police.
A changing symbol of freedom
After 1989, the wall continued to change through new paintings, public projects and messages from visitors. Its association with peace and freedom remained, while its growing popularity also changed how the site was used and managed.
The wall belongs to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It was declared a memorial place in 2019. Artwork and rules for visitors can change, so treat it as a maintained memorial rather than assuming that any kind of painting is permitted.
Visiting from Mostecká
The wall fits naturally into a walk through the lanes between our house, Maltézské náměstí and Kampa. Take time to look at the messages and the surrounding neighbourhood, and follow the current instructions displayed at the site.