Lennon Wall

A graffiti wall repainted continuously since 1980

Area Malá Strana
Type Landmark
Time needed 20m

The Lennon Wall is a stretch of garden wall on Velkopřevorské náměstí in Malá Strana, opposite the French Embassy, painted over continuously since John Lennon's death in 1980. Under communism the portraits, lyrics and slogans were painted out by the authorities and reappeared within days, which is why the wall matters rather than for what is currently on it. There is nothing to enter and no ticket: it is a wall in a small square, and whatever you photograph will be covered by something else within weeks.

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Getting there

It is two minutes from Kampa Island: come down the steps from the middle of Charles Bridge on the Malá Strana side, cross Na Kampe and go through to Velkopřevorské náměstí, or follow Hroznová and Prokopská from Maltézské náměstí. Trams 12, 15, 20 and 22 stop at Hellichova or Malostranské náměstí, five minutes away; metro Malostranská on the A green line is about ten minutes. The square is flat and the wall is at street level, though the lanes in are narrow cobbles.

What you see

The wall runs the length of one side of the square, perhaps a hundred metres of layered spray paint, usually with a large Lennon face somewhere along it and lyrics, peace slogans and personal messages in many languages over the top. Look at the depth of the paint at the edges and in the gaps, which is where the twenty or thirty layers underneath show, and at the stencilled work that survives longest. A plaque records the wall's history, and the gateway behind it belongs to the Order of Malta's garden, which is not public. The square itself is quiet and the surrounding Baroque fronts are worth a minute. People do still add to the wall, and whether that is tolerated depends on the stretch and the day.

What to pair it with

Kampa Island and its mill wheel are two minutes away, Charles Bridge is five, and the rest of Malá Strana spreads uphill from the same square.

When to go

Early morning is the only reliably quiet time; from mid-morning until evening there is a steady rotation of groups photographing it and the small square cannot absorb many people at once. Overcast light actually suits the paintwork better than direct sun. Season makes no difference. The wall was repainted entirely more than once — notably white by students in 2014 — so what is there changes constantly and no description of a particular image stays true.

What is hard about it

Expect to be disappointed if you have seen a photograph you liked: that image is almost certainly gone, and much of the current surface is ordinary tourist tagging rather than anything considered. The square is small, crowded with people taking the same photograph, and buskers playing Beatles songs for tips are a permanent fixture. There is nothing to do beyond looking, which takes a few minutes. Access to the wall is managed at times and painting on it is not always permitted, so arriving with a spray can is a poor plan.

Common questions

How long do you need at the Lennon Wall?

Twenty minutes at most, and ten is enough. It works best as a stop between Kampa and Malá Strana rather than a destination.

Can you paint on the wall yourself?

Sometimes, but not as a right. The wall is private property belonging to the Order of Malta, access has been managed since its restoration, and what is tolerated varies.

Is there an entry fee?

No. It is a public square and free to visit at any hour, which is part of why it stays busy.