John Lennon never visited Prague, but it is here that one of the most famous memorials dedicated to him is located. It is an entire wall covered with quotes from his songs, declarations of love for the singer, as well as his portraits.
The first inscription on this wall appeared almost immediately after John’s death became known. An unknown author wrote: “For John Winston Lennon, 9.10.1940 - 8.12.1980.” A photograph of the singer was attached nearby. Literally the very next day, the photograph was removed and the inscription was painted over. But this not only failed to stop the fans, but on the contrary spurred them on even more. Commemorative inscriptions and portraits of the musician began to appear here more and more often. They were painted over, but new ones appeared. The city authorities went through more than one can of paint trying to put an end to this “outrage.” But the wall endured even during the years of the communist regime, let alone today. Today it is completely covered with bright messages of peace and love.
The wall is officially owned by the Order of the Knights of Malta. In 1998, members of the Order decided to intervene in the fate of the memorial by taking it under their protection. They painted over the wall, commissioning a professional portrait of John Lennon from a local artist. But even before the portrait was finished, inscriptions from the musician’s fans began to appear again. And very soon the wall once again took on its “motley” appearance. The administration had no choice but simply to come to terms with this popular affection.
