Things To Do

After the killing of John Lennon in 1980, an activist painted an image of the Beatles’ lead singer on the wall opposite the French Embassy. This small act of deviance (Communist Czechoslovakia banned Western images and symbols) blossomed into a colorful collage of protest text, images and lyrics. The city’s secret police continuously whitewashed the wall, which young Czechs subsequently covered with more graffiti. Even after Communist Czechoslovakia fell and the country divided in two, the John Lennon Wall continued to evolve, most recently sporting fresh coats of paint in 2014 and 2019.

Today, the John Lennon Wall attracts travellers from around the world and is a featured stop on many of the best Prague tours. Beatles fans will appreciate the riffs on the band’s popular lyrics, while it does not take a music enthusiast to enjoy the wall’s bright colors.

Recent visitors suggest swinging by the wall after walking across the nearby Charles Bridge. Don’t plan on spending more than a few minutes at the wall, though, as visitors also say that the John Lennon Wall only warrants a quick stop. Travellers hoping to make the trek via public transit can take bus No. 192, while a variety of tram lines also stop within walking distance of the wall.