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In pictures: Prague’s John Lennon Wall

Graffiti on the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic

Shrine to pacifism from communist times or bright coloured eyesore – Prague’s John Lennon Wall has always polarised opinion. After John Lennon’s death in 1980, a portrait of him was painted on a wall in this secluded square near the Charles Bridge. Beatles lyrics and political graffiti were added and despite the secret police repeatedly painting over it, they kept being put back up and the area became a focus for pacifist youth. After the fall of communism the original portrait faded, but more recently contributions from tourists have kept it going and it’s now a constantly evolving mix of paintings, messages and colours. And the Knights of Malta, who own the wall, have finally given up on trying to cover it up.

Graffiti on the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic

Graffiti on the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic

Graffiti on the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic

Graffiti on the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic

23 Comments Post a comment
  1. It certainly is a lovely, colourful display of people’s thoughts and ideals.

    July 31, 2012
    • I liked that it is always changing, so you could go back again and again and it would always look different each time.

      July 31, 2012
  2. Love it! It’s wonderful that it continues to stand and keep memories alive. Powerful.

    July 31, 2012
    • I really liked that anyone can just come and add to it and leave their mark on Prague.

      August 1, 2012
  3. That’s really cool! Thank you for sharing.

    July 31, 2012
    • Thanks, it was a bit of a change from the classical architecture of the rest of that part of Prague.

      August 1, 2012
  4. I was just there in May and it’s already completely different :) It’s a gorgeous testament to the human imagination and how it’s always changing!

    July 31, 2012
    • Amazing how quickly it changes – there were a couple of people adding to it while I was there so sure it’s looking different already!

      August 1, 2012
  5. I had no idea this was in Prague – thank you for sharing!

    July 31, 2012
    • It’s not far from the end of the Charles Bridge (castle side of the river) – though it’s a bit of a maze of streets round there so we did have to get the map out a few times!

      August 1, 2012
  6. Very pretty. I love all the colors.

    July 31, 2012
  7. I wish I had known about this when I visited Prague! Thanks for sharing.

    July 31, 2012
  8. I like the idea that this has evolved as the political climate has changed.

    July 31, 2012
    • Yes I wonder what it looked like back during communism when people kept replacing it even though it was constantly being covered up, must have been risky to take part at the time.

      August 1, 2012
  9. Love how the wall is always evolving. Looks different from when we were there last year! Great tribute – love that people can express themselves. I can’t imagine what it would have been like during communism!

    August 1, 2012
    • Someone should do a time-lapse video of how it changes and evolves over time, that would be so interesting to see!

      August 2, 2012
  10. Simply love all this painting especially a third one not because of it has a pink color but making me happy after watching this … !! thanks for all the wall pictures

    August 27, 2012
    • Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, the colours are amazing aren’t they!

      August 27, 2012
  11. Rich #

    Oh my god! that is me in the last picture, july 13 right?

    May 9, 2013
    • Yes it was last July, how weird is that!

      May 9, 2013
    • Rich #

      nice pictures by the way

      May 9, 2013

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