Ivan Mazepa left a bright and ambiguous mark in history. His name is often associated with betrayal. However, before switching sides to the Swedish king, the hetman tried to serve Russia, and the Russian tsars supported him. In the early 18th century, Ivan Stepanovich decided to become a large landowner and became interested in the Kursk lands near modern Rylsk. Although these lands formally belonged to Peter I, Mazepa was allowed to establish his estate there.

Thus, the villages of Mazepovka, Korenevo, Snagost, Stepanovka, and Amon were founded, with the main one being Ivanovskoye, named in honor of the hetman. In Ivanovskoye, he decided to build a luxurious estate to emphasize his status as hetman and leader of the Cossacks. Mazepa appealed to Moscow with a request to send a good architect. Peter I sent Osip Starcev to Rylsk, and soon Ivan Stepanovich received a directive: "The master of stonework Osip Starcev is ordered to be with you while he completes the construction of two churches in Kyiv."

The capital architect approached the task creatively and thoroughly, creating not just an estate, but a true mansion. Starcev paid special attention to the window frames, so the building could be admired from all sides. Architectural details on the lime-washed walls created an elegant play of light and shadow. Some researchers believe that the hetman's chambers were surrounded by a park, and in bright sunlight, the building appeared even more sculptural. In these chambers, the hetman enjoyed his position until he switched sides to Charles XII. After that, access was closed to him, and the estate passed to the princes of Baryatinsky.