The residence of Ukraine’s ousted president, Viktor Yanukovych
Have you ever heard of a Museum of Corruption? I bet you never did. And you can have this experience only in Ukraine! Most likely, you have heard of the notorious ex-president of Ukraine (2010-2014), Viktor Yanukovich, and his “Palace” in the private estate of Mezhyhirya. It is only in Kyiv that you have an opportunity to visit a private countryside residence and the house of a former president of the country.
A visit to the Mezhyhirya residence is bound to leave a lasting impression — and perhaps even stir some mixed emotions. Sprawling across 140 hectares of lush, carefully designed grounds, this once-private estate is now a national park, open for everyone to explore.
Both Ukrainians and international visitors can join an excursion to Mezhyhirya and see with their own eyes the scale of corruption under the Yanukovych regime. More than a billion dollars was poured into creating this extravagant estate — yet not a single penny came from his personal fortune. Every lavish detail was funded with money taken from the taxpayers of Ukraine.
The residence was opened to the public shortly after Yanukovych fled to Russia, and ever since it has welcomed visitors for tours. A trip to Mezhyhirya is not only a chance to walk through a place of striking contrasts but also an opportunity to better understand Ukraine’s recent history — and to witness firsthand how power and wealth can shape, and even distort, a person’s life.
The best way to experience it all is with an expert private guide in Kyiv, someone who can answer your questions and share the most fascinating stories about the residence.
Why do you have to visit Mezhyhirya with a Kyiv guide?
At the heart of the sprawling 340-acre estate stands Honka — the so-called “clubhouse,” a grand wooden palace where Yanukovych lived for twelve years. Its name comes from the Finnish company Honka, which built the residence in just one year, using eco-friendly timber.
After the Maidan Revolution in 2014, protesters seized the house. Today, one of them — Petro Oliynyk — still holds the keys. He is the only person authorized to lead tours inside Honka, though they are conducted exclusively in Ukrainian.
That’s why it’s best to visit with a private Kyiv guide or through a local tour agency. Your guide can translate Petro’s stories into English and add even more fascinating details about the residence and its history.
In ancient times, Mezhyhirya was home to a monastery
The story of Mezhyhirya goes back more than a thousand years. Founded in 988 AD as an Eastern Orthodox convent in the state of Kyivan Rus, the monastery likely met its end during the Mongol invasion led by Batu Khan in the late 1230s.
Centuries later, in the 16th century, the site was revived during the era of the Zaporozhian Cossacks. Under Soviet rule, however, it was transformed into a retreat for the political elite, hidden away from the public eye.
Yanukovych entered the picture much later. He first settled on the property in 2002, when he became Prime Minister of Ukraine, and over time expanded his control of the surrounding land and buildings. As president, he went even further — privatizing the entire 140-hectare estate and launching a wave of massive construction projects.
What you can see in Mezhyhirya today
- The house where Yanukovych lived – “Honka” house
- Houseboat “Galleon” – house on the water on the shore of the Kyiv Sea
- Outdoor tennis courts
- Zoo and farm
- Ostrich farm and pheasant collection
- Garage with vintage retro cars (70 pieces of equipment)
- Helipad
- A rare-breed dog kennel
- The guest house – known to everyone as “Putin’s house”
How to Get to Mezhyhirya from Central Kyiv
The simplest way to reach Mezhyhirya is by taking a taxi or ride-hailing service like Uber. The trip from central Kyiv usually takes around 30 minutes, with the fare depending on traffic and time of day (expect roughly 300 UAH, though it can vary).
For a budget-friendly option, take the metro to Heroiv Dnipro (the last stop on the blue line) and catch minibus #902, which goes directly to Novi Petrivtsi, where the residence is located. The ride costs about 16 UAH and takes 15–20 minutes, though schedules and fares may change, so it’s worth checking in advance.
About the author:
Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights in Sweden and the Baltics.