Grand Prior's Palace

Grand Prior's Palace (Velkopřevorský palác) is a Baroque residence in Malá Strana, Prague, and the seat of the Grand Priory of Bohemia of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It stands on Velkopřevorské náměstí, right above Kampa Island, next to the wall known worldwide as the John Lennon Wall.

Where did the palace come from?

The site's story begins in the 12th century, when Knights Hospitaller, later the Knights of Malta, settled here after returning from the Second Crusade around 1180, establishing their Bohemian headquarters alongside the Church of Our Lady below the Chain. For centuries the complex served as the order's spiritual and administrative centre in Bohemia, its medieval core gradually reshaped by later building campaigns.

What does the palace look like today?

The building owes its present Baroque appearance to a thorough reconstruction carried out after 1725, and that form survives remarkably well. The piano nobile still holds its ceremonial rooms - the Grand Prior's chamber and the main Knights' Hall, where members of the order once assembled. Paintings by Czech, German and Italian Baroque masters decorate the walls and ceilings, complemented by rich stucco work and the quiet gardens bordering the building.

Why is the wall next to the palace so famous?

The garden wall of the Maltese Grand Priory, facing Velkopřevorské náměstí, is the John Lennon Wall. Writings on it go back to the 1960s, when passers-by first left messages for actor Jan Werich, who lived nearby on Kampa, before the wall filled with protest slogans against the communist regime. After John Lennon's death in December 1980, someone turned a bare stone plaque, once part of a public water supply, into an improvised tribute to the musician. Gatherings at the wall grew into recurring anti-regime demonstrations that police regularly broke up. Since 1989 it has stood as a lasting symbol of freedom, love and peace, and visitors keep adding fresh graffiti to this day.

What should visitors know before going?

The palace sits in the heart of Malá Strana, close to Kampa Island and Charles Bridge, so it fits naturally into a walk through the surrounding old town. Because the building still serves the Order of Malta's representative and administrative functions, access to the interior is limited - the safest bet for most visitors is admiring the exterior and the graffiti-covered wall around Velkopřevorské náměstí.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Grand Prior's Palace? A Baroque palace in Prague's Malá Strana district, seat of the Grand Priory of Bohemia of the Order of Malta, with roots reaching back to the 12th century.

Why is the palace linked to John Lennon? Its garden wall facing Velkopřevorské náměstí is the famous John Lennon Wall, covered in graffiti and tributes since the 1980s.

Can visitors tour the palace interior? The building still functions as the order's seat, so interior access is limited - most visitors see it from the square outside.

Where exactly is the palace located? In Malá Strana, on Velkopřevorské náměstí, just above Kampa Island and a short walk from Charles Bridge.