The John Lennon Wall - Colourful Prague Attraction

Despite the many attempts to discourage it, the John Lennon Wall (Lennonova zed’) is the only wall in the city of Prague on which graffiti is legal. The artists attracted to this place have certainly taken advantage of that - each inch of the wall is covered by copious layers of paint!

After passing by a picturesque bridge adorned with multiple locks, the colourful display is hard to miss.

Originally an area in which people protested the communist takeover in post-1948 Prague, the John Lennon Wall had seen its fair share of history before being given its new name after the tragic murder of the British singer in the 1980s.

The wall itself is the property of the Knight of Malta. The graffiti is said to have been born out of a desire for free speech and peace in a communist country (ideas inspired by Lennon).

The wall attracts many visitors daily. If you wish to take unobstructed photos, the best times to visit are right after sunrise, and right before sunset. I went around 9:00 a.m. and there were still about 30 people in the area.

Lot’s of song lyrics, words of peace, anti-communist messages, and drawings brighten up the once-monotonous wall.

Whatever your reasons are for visiting the John Lennon Wall, it is undeniable that it bears a long and interesting history as to its creation. I do hope that if you go to Prague, you take out a few moments from your day to visit it, as it’s graffiti holds more meaning than it’s colourfully superficial display might suggest.