The Stone Bridge and Macedonia Square are getting a thorough clean these days. City crews are removing scrawls, graffiti and built-up grime with a chemical paint and spray remover, then pressure-washing the surfaces along the entire bridge and across the square.

At the same time, new architectural lighting for the bridge is in its final phase, meant to pick out its profile above the Vardar riverbed. The floor fountain on the square is also supposed to be switched back on - it sat idle for years because of technical faults and, according to the City itself, was left to fall apart.

"Macedonia Square and the Stone Bridge are the face of our city," mayor Orce Gjorgjievski wrote, adding that this is exactly where many tourists take away their first picture of Skopje.

A clean bridge is a welcome change. But years of graffiti did not appear overnight, and one wash will not make them disappear for good. Will the photos of the clean-up be followed by regular maintenance - or will we wait for the next big overhaul to see the fountain run dry again?