On one of Iceland’s many islands, there is a house that sits in solitary confinement. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it’s literally a single house on a massive island.
When people finally got a chance to look at what was inside, they couldn't believe their eyes. It turned out there were horrific reasons behind its building.
Who Would Build Such a House?
On an island called Elliðaey sits a single house. There have been many myths and legends surrounding it. People have said that it was owned by a slave owner, a religious cult, and even a world-renowned superstar. Although, nobody has proved these claims to be real.
However, there must’ve been a single piece of evidence that would lead us to the house’s real owner, right? After all, a single home on top of an island wouldn’t just have magically appeared by itself – someone must’ve built it and chosen Elliðaey as the perfect place. The question remains: who are these people?
Various Myths and Legends
Throughout the country of Iceland, people are still unaware of who owned the house on Elliðaey. This is why it’s still an international mystery throughout the whole world. If the people in its own country couldn’t crack the code, how are we supposed to?
There have been various theories surrounding this house, and many people kept on popping as the years went by. Some even said that today, it is owned by a legendary superstar. Although, how true are these claims and does a popstar own the house on Elliðaey?
It Was a Mystery
For decades, the house on Elliðaey has become such a sensational mystery around the world. Nobody knows who built it, and nobody could decipher who its current owners are. It was like a myth, and it was as if it had just popped into the island like magic.
However, there have been people who settled in Elliðaey’s neighboring islands. The archipelago was called Westman Islands in English, and through the centuries, people have been known to settle there. Although even the residents of Westman Islands were clueless – they didn't know who built the solitary house.
Various Stories Spread
Like a mystery, rumors started spreading as to who the original residents of Elliðaey were. Since Ireland was once known as the westernmost part of the world, some say that Irishmen were called Western Men. Hence, the name of the archipelago, Westman Islands.
Naturally, this claim wasn’t backed by facts, data, or evidence. This is why it’s still hard to believe this claim. Although, there were some people who truly believed it, and we can’t blame them, but what was the truth?
Were the Irish Here First?
Since there's a theory that the Irish were the original Western Men, did the Irish get to Elliðaey first? This isn't impossible considering Ireland's distance to Iceland, but it still felt odd – like it wasn't historically right.
The locals in the Westman Islands don't consider the Irish to be part of their local ancestry, so this doesn't really narrow down our investigation. Still, people believe this theory due to the lack of other ideas surfacing on the internet...
Debunking the Most Popular Myths
Through the years, it's safe to say that many people have guessed and come up with their conclusions about who really owns Elliðaey. This is an ongoing debate and a popular topic for those interested in this lone house in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Although while these guesses might've come from a popular myth or a past theory, these have never really been proven. Iceland doesn't seem like a mysterious country, but they can keep their secrets if they ever want to. Elliðaey is a good example of this, don't you think so?
What Was the Truth?
Some truly believe that the house on top of Elliðaey just happened to pop up out of nowhere – though we know that it's not possible. This lone house has become the center of myths and legends, not just in Iceland but around the world.
By looking at the house's exterior, architects have come to believe that the house on Elliðaey was built around the 1930s. Nobody knows why they chose such a secluded location, but it definitely adds to the mystery.
Judging By Its Exterior
If you look at the house on Elliðaey's exterior, you'll see that it seems like a relatively newer model. Some say that if this house had been built as early as the 1800s, some cracks or blemishes would've appeared on its exterior or its façade – yet, it remains spotless.
People believe that it's either this house had been built in the early 1900s or someone has been coming in and out of this island just to ensure this house's maintenance. Frankly, these don't sound impossible, but which of these is the truth?
Exploring Multiple Conclusions
It's possible that someone might've been delegated by the house's owner to regularly maintain this property. However, how is it possible that nobody has ever seen a single soul on Elliðaey since this house was built? It's as if a ghost has been living here...
Although it would probably be best to look at what the locals of the Westman Islands have been saying throughout their history. After all, if there's someone who might know more about Elliðaey, it's the ones living around it – do you agree?
Stories from Long Ago
Some locals believed that a group of five families settled on Elliðaey throughout the early 1900s. They were said to have been the ones who built the house on top of Elliðaey. However, if you had five families on one island, wouldn’t you need more than one house?
Some believed that the island was once a thriving place, but people had to vacate due to a volcano eruption nearby. Now, this was true for the nearby island of Heimaey but was less likely the case for Elliðaey. So the mystery remains today, but was it a mystery that was about to be solved?
An Island Built as a Curiosity
For years and years, people have been guessing who the owner of the house on Elliðaey really was. This isolated house in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean has been somewhat a "curiosity" for journalists and the public alike – it's not hard to wonder why.
The question remains: why would someone build a house so far from civilization? Was there a sinister meaning behind this piece of architecture, or was the original owner just a mere fan of solitary confinement?
The Local History
Most of the locals of the other islands on the archipelago believed that Elliðaey was once connected to Heimaey. However, the volcanic eruption that occurred in 1973 was the tipping point. The eruption thwarted the plans of many settlers to move into Elliðaey.
Instead of moving to Elliðaey, most settlers left the Westman Islands for good. They were still scared that another volcanic eruption would occur, and they were scared that they might not be as lucky on the next one. Well, this wasn’t the only dark theory surrounding the mysterious house…
A Bunch of Morbid Theories
Since nobody could figure out who the real owners of this island were, some pretty morbid theories have been circulating through the internet. Some people say that a slave owner built this house as his retreat – this could be the case judging by the island's location.
There were those who believed that this house was built by a millionaire who's tired of the capitalistic world that we live in. While both of these theories have widely been debunked, some people still choose to believe in them. So where did these rumors come from?
Where Did the Rumors Come From?
Some sources claim that some of these "rumors" came directly from the locals of the Westman Islands. Naturally, nobody could prove this, but it doesn't mean that the rumor mill stops churning because many theories have been circulating to this day.
Elliðaey is a very peculiar place, and with it comes the curiosity that most people have. So why don't we look at some of the most popular theories that have been said about this solitary house?
Looking at Countless Theories
Since the lone house on Elliðaey appeared, so did countless theories surrounding its origin. Some say it was built by a billionaire or a slave owner – some even say it's built for a superstar. Although, is there any truth to these claims?
It's quite hard to imagine Elliðaey with any people, but someone must've built or commissioned it, right? It couldn't have just popped out of there like magic. So what are some of the most famous theories surrounding this island?
A Darker Theory
Some people in Iceland believed that it was Ingólfr Arnarson who originally settled on Elliðaey alongside two of his Irish slaves. This was a bit of a darker theory since it was thought that Ingólfr took his slaves to Elliðaey as punishment.
After all, who could hear their screams on an island as secluded as that? It was the perfect place for a man like Ingólfr, but was this ever proven to be true?
What Did Ingólfr Arnarson Do?
It was also believed that Ingólfr committed many crimes against his slaves at Elliðaey. People say that some of his slaves had run away, but he managed to track them down, only to slaughter them by the house on Elliðaey. How tragic was that?
Unfortunately, nobody could really prove these claims to be true, and no forensic evidence has backed up this claim, no matter how sinister it must’ve sounded. Elliðaey remains a mystery…
Was it the Algerian Pirates?
There was a rumor in the nearby island of Heimaey that Algerian pirates ambushed the original settlers of Elliðaey. For decades, this was widely believed by the locals of the Westman Islands, but this claim seems to be impossible...
First of all, getting into the main island is pretty tough, so it must've been quite a challenge for any pirate to get into Elliðaey. Some people have also debunked this claim. So what is the truth?
Taking the Settlers as Prisoners
Even though getting onto Elliðaey was quite a difficult task on its own, people still believed that the Algerian pirates took the original settlers of this island as prisoners. Back then, ambushing people and taking them captive was pretty popular but was this the case for Elliðaey?
There were some people who claimed that that's probably why there was only one house on top of the island. They say that these people had stopped building before they even started. Frankly, we don't think this could be the real reason behind this detached house – what about you?
These Were All False
While most of these claims were false, there’s a crowd favorite theory circulating on the internet. Many believed that a famous billionaire actually bought Elliðaey because he wanted to have a safe place once the apocalypse occurred.
Sometimes, we can't really get rich people's logic – then again, if there's an apocalypse then you would probably want to find a safe place, right? Well, this billionaire wasn’t just preparing for a regular apocalypse either…
Who Was This Famous Billionaire?
If you could guess who this famous billionaire was, who would you say it is? Some people have dropped some names in the open, but this is a theory that has been proven to be incorrect.
Apparently, people believed that this billionaire bought Elliðaey so he could have a safe place for when the zombies came. How ridiculous does that even sound? Judging by the sound of this theory, it’s pretty hard to take this one into serious consideration, don’t you think so?
Other Conclusions on the Internet
While people might've believed that the house on Elliðaey was built by a billionaire or a slave owner, these have been proven incorrect. Through the years, more and more conclusions have been uploaded online for people to speculate about.
There was even a rumor that said a popular Icelandic superstar actually owned the house on Elliðaey. We think that we all know who this superstar is, but is there any truth to this rumor?
An Island for a Star?
Another famous myth going around Iceland is that Björk actually owns the house on Elliðaey – well, the entire island too! It was no secret that the renowned singer was looking for an island to buy so she could have some peace and quiet.
We think that for someone like Björk, having a secluded house on an island would be perfect. This is because there wouldn't be any paparazzi or crazy fans chasing you around. So did she really own the house on Elliðaey?
A Gift Fit for a Superstar
Some people say that as Björk was looking for a private island to buy, this news reached some of Iceland's high officials, and they hatched up a plan. They wanted to give something utterly remarkable to their country's most popular citizen...
Many people believed that Iceland gave Elliðaey to Björk as a gift. Honestly, what else would you give the most famous citizen of your country? So is there any truth to this claim, and does Björk really own Elliðaey?
Björk Debunked the Myth
In an interview, Björk actually debunked the claim that she was the proud owner of Elliðaey. Frankly, there had been quite a backlash when she stated that she wanted to buy her own island in her home country of Iceland. It was apparent that the locals weren’t having it.
It shows that even if you are the most popular or successful citizen of your country, owning your personal island wasn’t an easy task. So it was known that Björk didn’t own Elliðaey. Although, if she doesn’t own it, then who does?
None of the Claims Were True
Through the years, many people have spread countless rumors about the true state of ownership of Elliðaey. There have been some sinister lies going around the country, and even Björk got dragged into the mess. The picture-perfect home on top of an island seems to have lost its owners.
This was what the locals and the government wanted the people to believe. Quite frankly, you’ll never guess who the true owners of the mysterious house were. It goes to show that not everything is as it seems…
A Volcanic Eruption
Countless locals in the Westman Islands claimed that the volcanic eruption that happened in 1973 was the reason why nobody lived on Elliðaey. They said people were too scared to live somewhere near a natural disaster.
Although, this was a bit of a hard statement to make because the volcano that erupted in 1973 was actually located in Heimaey and not in Elliðaey. So what made the locals say this?
Was This the Reality?
There are those who believe that the volcanic eruption in 1973 was the reason why people stopped building houses in Elliðaey. Even though it's a bit of a bold and incorrect claim, the locals chose to spread this rumor on the internet...
However, out of all the theories that spread across the world wide web, this very last one seems to be the one that's most viable. You'll never guess what it actually is!
Inhabited by a Different Species
People say that the reason why nobody really lives on Elliðaey was that the island already has a few inhabitants of its own. No, they weren't people or local settlers, but they were a completely different species...
These were puffins, and they can be found on Elliðaey and other parts of Iceland during a particular season. Some say that they were the original settlers on the island, but this still doesn't shed light on the fact that there's a house in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. So what is the truth?
The Real Owners of the House
It turns out that the real owners of the mysterious house on Elliðaey weren’t a family nor a single person. It was actually a group of people. Somehow, hearing this made sense, but it also felt strange for a reason.
If you were to guess who the real owners of the detached house on top of this island are, we think you might say it's a politician or a business tycoon. However, it's neither of those two things, and you're never going to guess who actually owns Elliðaey...
The Elliðaey Hunting Association
The real owner of the mysterious house on Elliðaey was the Elliðaey Hunting Association. They were the ones who owned this house all along, and they have maintained to keep their identities a secret from the prying eyes. Although, it wasn’t a secret around the Westman Islands at all.
Apparently, the people who inhabited the Westman Islands knew of the house's real owners after all. Not only that, but some locals claim that they have been part of the Elliðaey Hunting Association for years and years. So why did they keep this a secret?
A Secret for the Rest of the World
The locals of the Westman Islands and those who inhabited Elliðaey occasionally have kept their identities a secret because of one thing: their occupations. It doesn't seem like it's something that people should protect, but it's a sensitive topic for these people.
The Elliðaey Hunting Association is a group of hunters who hunt a very special animal that's local to Elliðaey and its neighboring islands. This could be the reason why they've tried to keep such a low-key – not to mention that these animals are at the peak of endangerment. Do you think that's the reason?
What Was It For?
The Elliðaey Hunting Association was a group of hunters living around Elliðaey. They built the house a couple of decades ago because they needed a base on the island of Elliðaey whenever they were there. It was quite funny how nobody thought of them in the first place.
The Elliðaey Hunting Association were puffin hunters, which was the main staple in the Westman Islands. The locals in the archipelago have been eating puffins as their main dietary protein ever since they could remember. So it made sense to have a seasonal abode on top of Elliðaey when hunting season came.
A Seasonal Abode
Around two-thirds of puffins migrate to Elliðaey whenever hunting season begins. This is why the Elliðaey Hunting Association chose to build the house on top of the secluded island. For them, it was more of a necessity than a mystery.
After all, they knew who owned this place all along, so it wasn’t much of a mystery. It was quite interesting how many people thought that various characters owned the island only to discover that a group of hunters owned it. Although, do they have electricity on Elliðaey?
There Was No Electricity
Based on most of the photos that we see on the internet, you can see that there are no electricity cables on Elliðaey. The hunters also confirmed that there was no electricity on the island. So the house is either solar-powered, or they didn’t really need electricity at all.
If you weren’t part of the Elliðaey Hunting Association, then you can’t enter into Elliðaey. So we just have to rely on the facts that the hunters have been telling us. It shows that access to Elliðaey was and still is very limited to this day…
Getting the Necessities
Since there's no electricity on Elliðaey, it could also mean that there's no running water in that house. So how could these hunters bathe themselves or even clean the puffins that they've hunted throughout the season?
Nobody knows for sure, but since Elliðaey is an island, it could be highly possible that the hunters simply gather water from the Atlantic Ocean. After all, they have all the water they need, so we don't think that's a problem. Still, it shows that it could be a bit stressful or difficult to get the necessities in Elliðaey.
Access to the Island Was Limited
To enter into Elliðaey, you would have to climb a massive rock formation that you can access on the side of the cliff. If you weren’t a hunter with the Elliðaey Hunting Association, then you were not allowed to set foot into Elliðaey. That was a well-known fact, and no intruder has ever been recorded in its long history.
It shows that the Westman Islands residents were respectful of their rules and tended to uphold peace. Not only that, but you actually might need to risk your life to go in and out of Elliðaey because of how steep the cliff was. You can’t just ride a helicopter and land on the island; that wasn’t how it worked...
Through the Years
There have been various rumors surrounding the house that seemed like it was made for solitary confinement. From sinister slave owners to a legendary superstar, it still shows that rumors aren’t to be believed. Plus, it also shows that history sometimes can be sidetracked.
While the house on Elliðaey might seem like such a peaceful place, the hunting of puffins is frowned upon today. Not many people know this, but puffins are at the peak of endangerment, and the Elliðaey Hunting Association isn’t helping with nature’s cause. So maybe we’ll see a shift in ownership in the next few years – who knows?
Not Everything is as It Seems
The true ownership of Elliðaey reveals that not everything is as it seems. Not everybody believes in sinister secrets and lavish lifestyles, and you shouldn’t too. Elliðaey is a beautiful island with an extraordinary home, and maybe they’ll open it to the public soon enough.
Today, the house on Elliðaey is still owned by the Elliðaey Hunting Association. However, due to the endangerment of puffins, who knows who will own it in the near future? Maybe we’ll even get to see it up close – surely, we can dream!