Just below and upstream from the Charles Bridge is Kampa Island, a small mostly-park on the shore of the Vltava River.
Faceless baby
There’s a museum, which was not open when we went by, but we did enjoy the three disturbing faceless baby sculptures in their garden.
Lotsa locks
We were here first because it is a short walk from Malá Strana, and second because the “Lennon Wall” is located here.
Waterwheel
On the western shore of the island is a narrow channel, formerly studded with waterwheels to power various things that needed power. Now only one (above) remains.
Imagine This Is Not Here
After a bit of searching, we finally found the Lennon Wall. Lest one mistake this for a simple case of urban graffiti congregation, wikipedia notes that:
Once a normal wall, since the 1980s it has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles songs.
[…]
Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and in a report of the time this led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the nearby Charles Bridge. The movement these students followed was described ironically as “Lennonism” and Czech authorities described these people variously as alcoholics, mentally deranged, sociopathic, and agents of Western capitalism.
The wall continuously undergoes change and the original portrait of Lennon is long lost under layers of new paint. Even when the wall was repainted by some authorities, on the second day it was again full of poems and flowers. Today, the wall represents a symbol of youth ideals such as love and peace.
Red thing
“Love Behind”
Lennon
Joplin?
Lennon Wall
I admit to an admiration for many (non-tagging) types of urban graffiti, and we enjoyed walking the length of the wall and taking in the many images of peace, thinking of what it must have been like here when such messages were considered “subversive” and subjected one to arrest.
Across the Vltava
We finished our walk on the shores of the Vltava, refreshed by a light rain, and made our way back to our hotel. This was a fun diversion from the typical tourist activities, and since it’s so close, I’d recommend it to anyone.
Prague index:
- Part 1: Vysehrad
- Part 2: Vysehradsky hrbitov (Vysehrad cemetery)
- Part 3: Karluv Most (Charles Bridge)
- Part 4: Vaclavske namesti (Wenceslas Square)
- Part 5: Letecke Muzeum Kbely (Czech Air Force Museum)
- Part 6: Stare Mesto (Old Town)
- Part 7: Staromestske namesti (Old Town Square)
- Part 8: Prazsky orloj (Astronomical Clock)
- Part 9: Josefov (Jewish Quarter)
- Part 10: Vltava River
- Part 11: St. Nicholas Cathedral (Chram sv. Mikulase)
- Part 12: Wallenstein Palace (Valdstejnsky palac)
- Part 13: Kampa Island <– You are here
- Part 14: Mala Strana street art
- Part 15: Petrin Hill
- Part 16: Mala Strana
- Part 17: Mala Strana house signs
- Part 18: Strahovský klášter (Strahov Monastery)
- Part 19: Schwarzenberský palác (Schwarzenberg Palace)
- Part 20: Toy Musuem
- Part 21: St. Vitus Cathedral gargoyles
- Part 22: St. Vitus Cathedral (exterior)
- Part 23: St. Vitus Cathedral (interior)
- Part 24: Prazky Hrad (Prague Castle), I
- Part 25: Prazky Hrad (Prague Castle), II
Adam Paul 
A wonderful area of Prague. In fact, some of its buildings are the header photo of my blog. You really saw a lot while you were there!
Oops I appear to have missed this comment – Mala Strana was our favorite part of Prague, and judging by some of your posts, you were fond of it as well, Jenna.
Hi Adam! I stumbled across your blog while searching for itineraries and places to visit in prague for my upcoming honeymoon. I must say that what you’ve shared is truly a valuable resource! I love your pictures & your annecdotes!
Thanks much for the kind words, CY – I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my posts, and most importantly, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!