As crowds of Ukrainian protesters seized control of the public spaces and government buildings in Kiev this past February, embattled former President Viktor Yanukovych made a hasty moonlight escape from his opulent palace. He left behind an absurd treasure trove on the 340 acre estate -- from exotic animals to a fleet of luxury cars -- that in the aftermath of the revolution served as an indictment of his corrupt regime.
On Friday, nearly ten months after Yanukovych's ouster, and while crisis still rages in the country's east, Ukraine is celebrating both the 2004 Orange and Euromaidan revolutions with the Day of Dignity and Freedom. One spot Ukrainians will be able to visit on the day is the erstwhile home of their former president, which is now being kept as a museum.
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The main house known as Honka at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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Visitors take pictures of a stuffed lion at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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Visitors pose for pictures on the bed of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych at Mezhyhirya, his former private estate which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A guide stands in the grand foyer at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A bride and groom pose for pictures at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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People visit a collection of antique cars at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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Visitors take pictures in the dining room at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A visitor looks at an ostrich, one of many exotic birds kept on the property, at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A visitor looks at a deer kept in a small zoo at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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An exotic bird, one of many kept on the property at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A guide stands in front of a suit of armor during a tour of Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A bowling alley at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A boxing ring at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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A guide shows a private chapel at Mezhyhirya, the former private estate of former president Viktor Yanukovych which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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Family photographs of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych are still on display at Mezhyhirya, his former private estate which is now a museum, on November 15, 2014 in Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine.
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