In pictures: Luxury Ukraine presidential home revealed
- Published
The lavish country estate of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has been thrown open to the public as parliament voted to remove him from power.
Mr Yanukovych has left the capital Kiev and his whereabouts are unknown. On Sunday, parliament voted to return ownership of the Mezhyhirya property to the state. Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov called for it to be put under state guard to prevent looting.
Thousands of Ukrainians flocked to see the opulent country estate of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych after he unexpectedly fled the capital, Kiev.
Inside the walled compound known as Mezhyhirya - about 15 km (10 miles) from Kiev - luxurious buildings stood amid manicured lawns.
With the gates to the secretive estate thrown open, people discovered a replica galleon floating on an artificial waterway.
People also lined up to take photographs of the private zoo complete with ostriches and deer.
The sprawling estate also features a golf course. This visitor found a set of clubs stamped with the president's initials.
For many anti-government protesters, the opulence is a symbol of the alleged corruption at Ukraine's highest levels.
The parks are dotted with statues, ponds with fountains, wild ducks, a tennis court and a colonnaded pavilion.
There are also replica ancient Greek ruins and lavish waterways and follies.
There was no sign of attempts by security to stop people celebrating in the grounds.
Signs in the grounds of his home openly mocked the ousted leader.