The loneliest house in Iceland
Imagine how cool it would be to live all alone on a faraway island with greenery all around you. The sight is something to behold! A situation like this actually exists in the real world, in the country of Iceland.
Just of the southern coast of the country lies an archipelago of breathtakingly beautiful islands- Vestmannaeyja. And in this cluster of islands is a tiny piece of isolated land called Elliðaey. And further on this tiny piece of land is a small house, all alone, right in the middle of vast grassland.
Legend has it that this house belongs to a billionaire for whom it’s a house for retreat. Another story states that it’s a safe house meant to be used during a zombie apocalypse. People also confuse this as the house of Bjork who, coincidently, has a house in another island by the same name on the west coast of Iceland. However, none of these are even close to the truth.
The reality is pretty simple.
About three centuries ago, 5 families resided on the island and they made their living by fishing, raising their cattle and mostly, hunting puffins. They thrived, thanks to the abundant area of grass available for the cattle and lived in little huts. By the late 1930s though, realization dawned on them and all these families packed up and left for the mainland which served better opportunities in terms of work and livelihood. The left only to discover that there is no better place to hunt puffins than this island.
This led to the creation of the Elliðaey Hunting Association. In 1953, the EHA built this house as a lodge for its members who come to the island to hunt puffins. Even though there is no running water or electricity, the members love it here because of the scenic beauty and the peace it provides unlike the hustle and bustle of the city life w which they can enjoy in the sauna built inside.
Cause let’s face it. Who wouldn’t love this place?
Post Written By - Bahana Saikia
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