The John Lennon Wall: Unveiling Prague’s Most Vibrant Landmark
If you’ve ever strolled through the charming streets of Prague’s Lesser Town or explored must-see spots in the city, you’ve likely encountered the John Lennon Wall. Beneath its countless layers of paint lies a rich and fascinating story. In the following lines, I’ll guide you through the broader context of this ever-evolving graffiti canvas.
Over 10 years have passed since I hung my first picture on Lennon’s Wall. It was actually one of my earliest street art pieces — an origami peace dove in an Ikea frame, holding a branch in its beak, with the words “In Case of War, Break Glass.” At the time, none of us could have predicted the events that would unfold in Ukraine a few years later...
I visited Lennon’s Wall several times a month, often in the early morning or late evening when the place was peaceful and nearly empty. There was always something captivating about it.
After immersing myself in all the available information about this iconic spot -so important to the people of the Czech Republic, yet often overlooked - I decided to create JohnLennonWall.com.
My goal was to build a comprehensive resource that would explore its history, meaning, and lasting legacy.
Whether you’re planning a visit, have already experienced it and want to delve deeper into its hidden history, or are simply curious about its significance, you’ll find everything you need here: the origins of the wall, its role in anti-communist protests, insider tips for visitors, and even lesser-known stories that make this place far more than just a photo op.
Discover little-known stories hidden behind the paint
At the end of August 1968, troops from the Warsaw Pact countries, led by the Soviet Union, invaded Czechoslovakia. In the wake of the occupation, Prague transformed into a city of quiet defiance — poems, messages, and graffiti on the walls voiced resistance to the regime. One of the most enduring symbols of this resistance became Lennon’s Wall. By the end of the1960s, Prague’s walls were so covered in signs and messages that it took painters several years to cover them with fresh coats of paint, but the old inscriptions continued to shine through the new facades.
The Lennon Wall Prague vs. The Regime: How Graffiti Defied Authority in 1980s Prague
In the1980s, the police took a greater interest in Lennon’s Wall after the message “You have Lenin, leave us Lennon!” appeared. Following this, a man appointed by the communist authorities, dressed in a lab coat and armed with a paintbrush, made regular visits to the site. His task was to erase this inscription, as well as other messages deemed inappropriate by the regime, not only from the Lennon Wall but also from the surrounding Kampa area.
Story About the Moscow Students Who Missed the Beat
A participant in the annual gatherings at the Lennon Wall recalled:
“In the spring of 1981, a group of students from Moscow came here on an exchange trip. My friend was given the task of showing this group of about five boys and girls around Prague. We took them with us for a walk to Kampa. The Russians came in front of the wall and stood there. With dignity, as they know how. And we thought it was strange that they were taking it so seriously. Then we walked on and they were so silent. Then one of them said that he was glad that we were taking such good care of the memorials to the fallen of the Second World War in Prague. We were shocked. We thought they were from Mars. They were kids who were seventeen and eighteen years old and didn’t know Lennon.”
The Lennon Wall After the Velvet Revolution
After the Velvet Revolution in 1990, the poster boards that the communist regime had placed to cover protest signs and prevent new additions were removed from Lennon’s wall. For nearly a decade, the remnants of the first annual Kampa rallies — including the symbolic tombstone of John Lennon and the inscriptions and drawings from December 1980 — were preserved ‘archaeologically’ beneath the surface.
The Knights of Malta
The Lennon Wall and its surroundings lie within the territory of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta, one of the most influential Christian chivalric orders of the Middle Ages, rivaled only by the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights. After returning from the Crusades, Czech Prince Vladislav I granted the Knights of Malta a plot of land in the Lesser Town. According to tradition, they were entrusted with defending the Judith Bridge, and the king provided them with a residence near this location. Judith Bridge was the predecessor to the iconic Charles Bridge and the oldest stone bridge in the Czech lands.
Protests in Hong Kong: A Czech Artist's Tribute to Freedom and Hope
During the Hong Kong protests against Chinese restrictions, a large flyer with the words “Lennon Wall” appeared in the city center. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the work of local activists, but rather Veronika Rozmahelová, a Czech artist who was in Hong Kong at the time. Her intention was to create a space, inspired by the iconic Lennon Wall in Prague, where people could express their desire for freedom through art and provide hope to the protesters.
There are many more fascinating facts and insights to discover about the Lennon Wall in Prague. To explore its rich history and deeper significance, I invite you to visit JohnLennonWall.com.
I've done my best to provide you with a comprehensive look at this iconic landmark and its story.
If you'd like to take a piece of the Lennon Wall home with you, feel free to explore my humble Etsy Shop (Lennon Wall section) where you'll find a variety of items — t-shirts, wall art, mugs, prints, notebooks, stickers, and more. Each product is inspired by the wall’s timeless message of peace, love, and freedom.
By making a purchase, you’re not just bringing a piece of the Lennon Wall’s spirit and legacy into your life, but also supporting the continued efforts of JohnLennonWall.com and the promotion of street art.
Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions about the Lennon Wall, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to share what I know, and if I don’t have the answer, I’ll do my best to find it!
May your visit to the Lennon Wall be as colorful and inspiring as the messages it carries!