A beautiful edifice in Sovietskaya St, one of the most interesting 19th century architectural monuments, now houses the municipal council. Russian wooden architecture is honourably exemplified by the Tetyushininov Mansion, ornate with lacy carvings of itswindow. The City's Day and Fisherman's Day are the best-loved holidays in Astrakhan. The whole city is outdoors on City's Day. The streets are decorated.
Bands play in the squares and public gardens from morn to night.
There are fetes and comic folk shows. The city market is at its noisiest and most colourful on this merry day. Astrakhan is Russia's main fishing centre, so no holiday is more important here than Fisher's Day, memorable with athletic events, concerts and art shows. The celebrations reach their peak when a motorboat appears on the Volga, carrying Neptune, heathen sea god and fishermen's patron, trident in hand, with a fancy-dressed retinue. At sunset, fireworks crown the glorious day.