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The unusual things you’ll see while touring the lavish estate of Ukraine’s ex-president (PHOTOS)

The World
Vendors sell bike rentals, guided tours and memorabilia outside the main entrance to Mezhyhirya.

Vendors sell bike rentals, guided tours and memorabilia outside the main entrance to Mezhyhirya.

Misha Friedman

Touring the grounds of Mezhyhirya, the lavish former estate of ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, can be an odd experience.

From a main house built to resemble an oversized Finnish hunting lodge to acres of manicured gardens to a gladiator themed boxing ring, visitors are in for a first-hand look at what millions of tax dollars can buy.

There are many calling for the estate to be turned into a "museum of corruption." And, while those efforts have stalled, here is what a tour of Mezhyhirya looks like.

The the main club house inside Mezhgorye, the residence of Ukraine's ousted president Victor Yanukovych.
The main club house inside Mezhgorye, the residence of Ukraine's ousted president Victor Yanukovych.Misha Friedman
Mezhyhirya has become a popular wedding day destination for Ukrainians.
Mezhyhirya has become a popular wedding day destination for Ukrainians.Misha Friedman

Related: Ukrainians vowed to turn their ex-president’s estate into a ‘Museum of Corruption.’ But it’s something else now.

The main staircase at Mezhyhirya club house.
The main staircase at Mezhyhirya club house.Misha Friedman
A portrait of Petro Oliynyk, 34, a grocery salesman from Lviv has, came to Mezhgorye from Maidan where he participated in the revolution and has remained there ever since guarding/protecting it from looters.
A portrait of Petro Oliynyk, 34, a grocery salesman from Lviv has, came to Mezhgorye from Maidan where he participated in the revolution and has remained there ever since guarding/protecting it from looters.Misha Friedman
Petro Oliynyk with a Ukrainian emblem embroidered flag draped around his shoulders.
Petro Oliynyk with a Ukrainian emblem embroidered flag draped around his shoulders.Misha Friedman

Related: A babushka in Ukraine's forbidden mansion (VIDEO)

Yanukovych-themed toilet paper (though, probably placed there by rebels) in the master bedroom.
Yanukovych-themed toilet paper (though, probably placed there by rebels) in the master bedroom.Misha Friedman
The salt room inside the spa.
The salt room inside the spa.Misha Friedman
A gladiator themed boxing ring.
A gladiator themed boxing ring.Misha Friedman
A shrink wrapped leather chair in Viktor Yanukovych's former office at Mezhyhirya.
A shrink wrapped leather chair in Viktor Yanukovych's former office at Mezhyhirya.Misha Friedman

This story was produced with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

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