By: Alex
Thanks to COVID-19, people around the world are now very conscious about social distancing. An online photo even went viral showing a tiny white building atop an isolated grassy hut, hailed as “the most socially distanced hut.” It seems that living in this little house would keep you safe from any pandemic.
▲ The small white hut on Elliðaey Island, known as “the most socially distanced hut.” (Photo by incunabula @Twitter)
Perhaps because the hut is so isolated, legends about it have never stopped circulating. Some say it’s a hideaway for religious fanatics, others claim it was bought by an invisible billionaire as a shelter to escape the apocalypse, or even that it’s a gift from Iceland to pop star Björk.
These stories are clearly fictional and unfounded. The real location of the hut is on a small island called Elliðaey (Icelandic: Elliðaey), one of the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic) off the southern coast of Iceland. Interestingly, there is another island with the same name off the west coast of Iceland, but it’s privately owned by singer Björk—don’t get them confused.
▲ The island once had five households, surviving on fishing and cattle farming. (Photo by translation_village @IG)
Historical research reveals that 300 years ago, five families lived on this lonely island, making a living through fishing, raising cattle, and hunting puffins. In pursuit of a better life, residents gradually left and moved to mainland Iceland. By the 1930s, when the last resident departed, Elliðaey officially became uninhabited.
In 1953, the Elliðaey Hunting Association built a hut on the island for members to rest and resupply while hunting puffins. This is the white building that can be seen today. It has no electricity, running water, or heating, though it’s said to include a sauna. Water for bathing and cooking comes from a rainwater collection system. Strangely, there’s a fence around the hut—its purpose, perhaps, is to keep wildlife out.
▲ Today, the small white hut serves as a rest and supply station for the hunting association. (Photo by translation_village @IG)
Additionally, Bjarnarey Island to the south of Elliðaey, as well as Suðurey Island to the south of the archipelago, also carry that “hidden-island” charm—so if you’re seeking seclusion, you’ve got quite a few options.
▲ To the north of Elliðaey lies the Icelandic mainland, not far away at all. (Photo by translation_village @IG)
▲ With the right angle, it can feel like a secluded ocean island. (Photo by translation_village @IG)
▲ A view of the entire Elliðaey Island. (Photo by Bored Panda)
▲ The hunting association hut faces south, with Bjarnarey Island to its left and Heimaey, the main island of the archipelago, straight ahead. (Photo by BrainTrustInc @Imgur)
▲ A screenshot from Google Maps makes the island look like a pastoral paradise. (Photo by Google Maps)
▲ Bjarnarey Island, adjacent to Elliðaey. (Photo by arnar.tomasson @IG)
▲ Suðurey Island, located to the south of the archipelago, also has a small wooden cabin near its cliff edge. (Photo by Bored Panda)
Sources: Spot Cool Stuff, Bored Panda