This little house has gained a lot of attention as the loneliest house in the world, but there are many rumors and theories surrounding it. What is the real story and its history? Let’s find out.
Chances are, you may have stumbled upon viral images of the quaint dwelling located on the isolated Elliðaey Island, situated in southern Iceland. This abode has earned itself nicknames such as the “ideal residence for introverts” and the “most secluded house globally,” and it’s easy to see why.
The small house on Elliðaey Island has been subject to many theories over the years regarding its owner and history. Some people believed that it was constructed by a billionaire as a safe haven for a zombie apocalypse, while others thought it was merely a product of digital manipulation using Photoshop. There were also rumors that the famous Icelandic singer, Björk, owned the property, despite the fact that she has no connection whatsoever to the island. However, all of these speculations are far from the reality of the situation. The truth behind the enigmatic house remains a mystery.
Do you know who owns this house? Back in the 18th century, Elliðaey was home to five families who lived in primitive huts and survived on a diet of fish and cattle. However, by the 1930s, all of the island’s inhabitants had left and only puffins and seals were left to call it home.
Hey, where did everyone go? As it turns out, Elliðaey Island was abandoned for nearly two decades until the Elliðaey Hunting Association set up a hunting lodge there in 1953. You might recognize the lodge from those viral images that have been circulating online. Nowadays, the house still stands as a hunting cabin for members of the association who hunt puffins, but it seems that there hasn’t been any hunting activity on Elliðaey in recent years. So, where is everybody now?
The island of Elliðaey is currently unoccupied. Photo credit goes to @hOrdur.
Rephrased: Access to the house can only be gained by boat, provided that the weather is favorable. The waters surrounding Iceland are known to be hazardous and can drop as low as 0.6°C (33°F). As for reaching the house, there are no stairs available, so visitors must scale the steep cliffs on the island. Interestingly, during the construction of the house, all equipment and building materials had to be manually transported up the cliff-face.
Despite its age, the house on the island is still utilized and has a bonus feature of a sauna. A YouTube channel released a video in 2017 showcasing a visit to the island, which included a sneak peek inside the lodge.
Despite claims made by various articles that the lodge on Elliðaey Island lacks electricity and indoor plumbing, a recent video reveals the presence of electrical wiring and sockets. However, it’s possible that the lodge was previously without power and has since been updated. It is apparent that neither a billionaire nor Björk owns the island, and it appears to be primarily used for tourism purposes. In fact, tour companies offer excursions to the island for those interested in viewing the world’s loneliest house firsthand, as reported by The Mirror.
