About Us
Our Story
We are a married couple – a photographer and a cultural anthropologist – united by our passion for stories, landscapes, and the art of creation. After years in the city, we chose to settle in a region with its own unique spirit.
Ateliéry Nad Závozom is our shared vision – a place where visual art, a sense for detail, and a profound respect for the land and its history meet.
What We Offer
A peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, set among former vineyards. A place designed for relaxation, work, and creative inspiration. A unique creative haven for artists, designers, architects, and everyone seeking space to focus, slow down, and create.
Complete silence and privacy – away from distractions, yet still close enough to enjoy the comforts of civilisation.
What Makes Us Special
The first outdoor photographic studio in Slovakia. Inspired by Japan, shaped by traditional craftsmanship, and surrounded by the authentic atmosphere of the Hont region – a unique space embraced by wild nature.
During the day, you can watch wildlife from our houses or enjoy breathtaking views over the valley that never cease to amaze. In the evening, the landscape transforms into a canvas of colourful sunsets, while at night the Milky Way and thousands of stars unfold above you.
Whether you choose to relax, immerse yourself in one of our creative workshops, or turn your stay into a unique holiday experience – you will find it only at Ateliéry nad Závozom.
Awards
- ICONIC AWARDS 2025 /Germany/ - Circular Design
- BIG SEE Interior Design Award 2024 /Slovenia/
- BIG SEE Architecture Award 2023 /Slovenia/ - Exterior Design
- CE ZA AR 2023 /Slovakia/ - Top 30 Architectural Projects
House Rules
Welcome to our Ateliéry nad Závozom !
To ensure that everyone feels comfortable, safe, and respectful towards the surroundings, we kindly ask you to follow these house rules:
The swimming pool - is located at Ateliér and is shared by all three accommodation units.
Quiet hours – from 11:00 PM. Please respect other guests and our neighbours.
Smoking – is allowed only in designated areas. Our houses are made of wood, so please be careful and considerate.
Pets – stays with dogs are not possible, as we have cats that freely move around the property. Since we do not have children, our cats are members of our family. Please do not feed them, as this can cause unnecessary health issues and veterinary visits.
Waste separation – please separate plastic and paper. Food leftovers can be given to our chickens.
Open fire – if you use the fire pit, always make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving or going to sleep. Do not use open flames outside the designated areas.
Children – stays with children are not possible.
Visitor access is at your own risk and responsibility. Please note that our studios are not wheelchair accessible. Access to the property involves a steep uphill approach, multiple flights of stairs, and significant changes in elevation. For this reason, the accommodation is not suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility.
We kindly ask guests to consider these access conditions before making a reservation to ensure a comfortable stay.
Electrical appliances – please always unplug electrical appliances such as the two-burner hob or oven after use.
Check - out: 10:30 AM
Our team
Ľubomír Sabo
Person in Charge
"A stay with us is an experience you will remember for a lifetime."
Katarína Sabová, MA
Managed by
"Some places are meant to be experienced, not just described."
The story of Ateliéry nad Závozom began at a time when the world slowed down – at the beginning of the pandemic. During quiet evenings filled with reflections and dreams of the future, a desire started to grow within us: to create something new, something that would go beyond the ordinary, something that had not yet found its place in Slovakia. And so we decided to take a step forward – leaving not only our comfort zone, but also the western part of Slovakia, to discover the heart of central Slovakia.
We found Hrušov. A place with a soul. A land of tuff-sandstone wine cellars – hand-carved into the rock and used for centuries by local winemakers to store their traditional wines. It was here, among former vineyards where the earth still carried memories of forgotten cellars, that we discovered our place. After careful consideration, we had to fill in two of them, but their story remained with us – becoming part of the DNA of our ateliers.
Our original idea was to build from shipping containers, but due to availability, timing, and the challenging terrain, we chose a prefabricated wooden structure instead. From the first sketches drawn by hand on the edge of a notebook, the final design was created together with the architectural studio Modulor architecture s.r.o. The result is three connected buildings – Pracovňa, Ateliér, and Apartmán – each unique in its own way, yet united by the black wooden cladding that became both a visual and philosophical connection between them.
Our inspiration came from our travels, from the architecture of the Far East, and from the Shou Sugi Ban technique – the traditional Japanese method of preserving and enhancing wood through controlled burning. This technique not only transforms the appearance of wood but also protects it from weather, insects, and fire. While Japanese craftsmen traditionally use cypress, after many consultations we chose red spruce – a wood perfectly suited to our local conditions.
Interestingly, a similar technique can be found in the Hont region as well. Traditionally, charred wooden vineyard posts were used here as supports for vines – a form of functional beauty born from necessity and the natural rhythm of life.
As we could not find anyone locally who could create this type of cladding for us, we decided to take the torches into our own hands. With respect, patience, and a process of trial and error, we created the wooden façade ourselves. Today, it has become an inseparable part of our story.
We believe that a place created from the desire to do things differently can become a source of inspiration for you as well.