Almost everyone has wanted, at least once in their life, to live in a quiet and peaceful place, but there are some truly isolated houses in the world. In fact, the history of the most isolated house in the world, located on the island of Elliðaey in Iceland. In the south of the country, in fact, this small island about 45 hectares wide has only one house.
What is a house doing on Elliðaey Island?
In the Atlantic, a few miles away from the Icelandic coast, this small island has hosted the singular house since 1953. Built by the hunters’ association, it has always served as a refuge both for the biologists who were here on mission and for the fishermen, who had a safe haven in case of emergency.
Despite that, the house is rarely inhabited, as it is totally devoid of electricity or running water. The island, therefore, still remains the refuge of many animal species (including the puffin) rather than humans.
What the house looks like inside
Although its location is nothing short of wild, inside, the house is surprisingly welcoming and functional, adapted to withstand Iceland’s extreme weather conditions. The wooden walls and the rustic furniture creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, while the windows offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, allowing guests to observe the sea or the rare bird species that nest on the island.
The structure is equipped with a sauna, which uses collected rainwater and works as per Nordic tradition. Despite the absence of electricity, the house was designed to make best use of natural light during Iceland’s long summer days and to conserve heat during the winter months.
How to reach Elliðaey?
Getting to the most isolated house in the world is not at all easy. Elliðaey is located not far from the southern coast of Iceland, but of course there are no frequent services to it. Once you arrive by sea comes the most demanding challenge: you will have to climb the cliff to reach the sloping house. The same and identical way in which the building materials and furnishings were transported.
Elliðaey it is not the only uninhabited island
In addition to the remote Elliðaey, there are numerous others uninhabited islands scattered around the world, each with its own unique and fascinating story. These islands, often inaccessible and mysterious, continue to stimulate the collective imagination.
Without going too far, it is very popular and visited the Island of Lokrum in Croatia, which is located a few kilometers from the city of Dubrovnik. Flying towards more distant shores, in the Seychelles you will find the island of Aldabra, known for the presence of the very rare giant tortoises. Alternatively, Okunoshima Island in Japan it is called “rabbit island”.
A “castaway” experience is to visit Monuriki Island in Fiji, known for the film Cast Away. Not uninhabited, but certainly remote, it is the Island of Tristan da Cunhabelieved to be the most isolated human settlement in the world.
