Mezhyhirya

Mezhyhirya was originally established as the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, which existed until it was closed by the Bolsheviks in 1923. The site has a rich history, including a brief restoration as a female monastery at the end of the 19th century and its use as a state government residence from 1935 onward.

During World War II, the estate was occupied by Nazi officials, and it later became a state recreation complex under the Soviet Union and independent Ukraine.

Viktor Yanukovych began residing in Mezhyhirya in 2002 when he became Prime Minister. He received a building within the estate and later rented additional land at a nominal fee.

The estate became a focal point of controversy in 2007 when Yanukovych privatized the property, a move that has been alleged to be illegal and involved complex ownership schemes.

During his presidency, Mezhyhirya was emblematic of Yanukovych's authoritarian rule and the corruption prevalent in his government, with independent media frequently exposing the lavish expenditures associated with the estate.

The Euromaidan protests from 2013 to 2014 saw demonstrators targeting Mezhyhirya, driven by allegations of corruption and improper funding of the estate. The protests intensified following a violent attack on journalist Tetiana Chornovol, who investigated the residence's financing.

After Yanukovych fled on February 21, 2014, protesters entered the estate, which became a symbol of the revolution, often referred to as 'the main symbol of our revolution.'

Following Yanukovych's ousting, Mezhyhirya was opened to the public and became known as 'Yanukdisneyland.' Activists worked to maintain the estate, which was officially transferred to state ownership by the Ukrainian parliament on February 23, 2014.

By mid-November 2014, Mezhyhirya was established as a museum, although visitor numbers have fluctuated since its opening. The estate has also served as a shelter during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mezhyhirya has been featured in Ukrainian political satire, notably in the series 'Servant of the People,' which starred Volodymyr Zelensky, who later became President of Ukraine in 2019.

The estate continues to evoke mixed feelings among Ukrainians, with some avoiding it due to its association with Yanukovych, while others utilize its picturesque settings for personal events.