Macedonia Pulls Plug on Capital's Star Attraction

Photo by: Robert Atanasovski

Skopje has pulled the plug on one of the city's most popular attractions - literally.

Wth freezing weather on the way, they say it's time to drain the large new fountain that forms part of the 24-metre-high equestrian statue of the ancient warrior king Alexander the Great.

The fountain must be drained to prevent damage from expected sub-zero temperatures in the upcoming winter.

It has barely been two months since the grand opening of the fountain on September 8, as part of celebrations marking 20 years of Macedonian independence, so Monday's announcement of its closure caught many by surprise, especially because the daily temperatures this weekend reached 20 degrees celsius.
 
Although some critics have jeered at the fountain's 30-minute-long watery show in rainbow colored lights, accompanied by classical music, the fountain was already a favourite with residents and tourist alike, attracting many mesmerized spectators.

“I am sorry to hear the news, but if they have to [close it], I guess that’s for the best,” 22-year-old Borce Davitkov, a bystander watching one of the fountain's farewell performances, told Balkan Insight.

“We were just getting used to it. My daughter will miss it for sure”, another woman told local media on Monday.

Authorities said that despite the warm weather during daytimes, temperatures have already started to drop close to zero at night, threatening to damage the fountain mechanisms.

They said the fountain will reopen in April, as soon as spring comes.