Mezhyhirya Park

Mezhyhirya Park was formerly the residence of the ex-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. Today it functions as a large public park. Covering about 140 hectares, the site requires a full day to explore.

History of Mezhyhirya

In earlier centuries, the territory was home to the Mezhyhirya Monastery. After its demolition by the Soviet authorities in 1935, the land was used for a state residence. At different times, it accommodated figures such as Nikita Khrushchev, Volodymyr Shcherbytsky, Stanislav Kosior, and during the German occupation of Ukraine, Gauleiter Erich Koch.

For many years, the area was closed to the public. From 2002 it was the residence of Viktor Yanukovych, who later privatised the estate through a chain of companies, and enormous sums were invested in a luxurious palace-park complex. After Yanukovych fled the country in February 2014, during the Revolution of Dignity, the grounds were opened to the public, and the site has operated as a public park ever since.

Location and Access

Mezhyhirya is located near the village of Novi Petrivtsi in the Vyshhorod District of Kyiv Oblast, on the banks of the Kyiv Reservoir (Kyiv Sea). The nearest district of Kyiv is Obolon, about 20 minutes away by car. The route follows Bohatyrska Street and Vyshhorodske Highway, continuing past Vyshhorod before entering Novi Petrivtsi. The address is 19 Ivana Franka Street, Novi Petrivtsi. Public transport is available via minibuses departing from Heroiv Dnipra metro station.

Features of the Complex

The territory is divided into two main areas: the upper zone near the main entrance and the lower zone along the reservoir.

Upper area:

• Main entrance with rental services for bicycles and segways
• “Honka,” the main residential complex associated with Yanukovych
• Golf courses
• Zoo with various animals, located near the gardens and greenhouses

Lower area:

• A long embankment of more than one kilometer
• Yacht pier with the vessel “Galeon,” once used for receptions
• Equestrian club with open corrals
• Dog kennels and a pheasantry
• Parkland with lakes and a guest house
• Automobile exhibition located in the former presidential garage, including vintage cars

Facilities such as cafes, kiosks, and souvenir shops are available throughout the park.

Opening Hours

The park operates daily:

• Summer: 08:00–22:00
• Winter: 08:00–17:00
• Spring and autumn: 08:00–19:00

Some buildings, such as the Honka residence and the Galeon, can be visited only through guided tours arranged in advance.

Present Use

Today Mezhyhirya serves as both a recreational space and a reminder of recent Ukrainian political history. The combination of landscaped gardens, preserved facilities, and exhibition areas make it a destination for visitors interested in politics, history, and leisure. Researchers also study the site as an example of state residence transformation into a public cultural space.