A photograph of a mysterious, isolated white house situated on a lush green island has been circulating on the internet for years, earning it the unofficial title of "The Loneliest House in the World."

Ellirey, the northeastern-most of the Västmanajäga Islands, is a small cluster of islands located off the southern coast of Iceland and is home to a single house perched on a grassy sloping pasture. It is an idyllic location that has remained uninhabited since the 1930s, making the existence of this seemingly well-maintained man-made structure all the more remarkable.

It was simply a hunting lodge built in the 1950s by the Elliðaey Hunting Association, whose members traveled to the deserted island to hunt puffins and utilize the lodge. It is unclear how the island came to be associated with the hunting association since no one resides there, but that is the reality.

Although the island's hunting association continues to maintain Elliðaey's hunting lodge, it is not the most comfortable dwelling in the world. Occasional sightseers are permitted to visit; however, it has no access to electricity or running water and is serviced by a rainwater harvesting system, and is enclosed by a fence.

In the 1930s, a small group of families still resided on Elliðey Island; however, they eventually decided to relocate to a more populated area of Iceland in search of better opportunities. Nevertheless, the island was so rich in marine life, with a plethora of Atlantic puffins and fish, that they returned frequently to hunt on the island. This may be the origin of the hunting association.

Because Ellirey Island is a significant nesting location for petrels and other seabirds, it is designated as a nature reserve; however, this does not appear to deter members of the Elliðaey Hunting Association from visiting the island to hunt birds. If you prefer to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, tour companies operating in the Vestmannaejar archipelago offer day trips to these deserted islands.

There are many other isolated houses around the world, and the following examples are even more solitary...

The "Island House" in Drina River, Serbia.

The hut was erected in 1968 by a group of boys who were sunbathing and found it uncomfortable to lie on the rocks in the middle of the river. They took some planks from a nearby ruined wooden house and gradually constructed the roof and walls, and the small wooden house took shape.

The Stone House on Fafi Mountain in northern Portugal.

The house is situated at an elevation of nearly 2,600 feet above sea level and is frequently referred to as the Modern Primitive House. Four massive granite rocks serve as the foundation, walls, and roof of the house, and it took four years to construct it in 1972.

There is no access to electricity, but the house is fully equipped with a large fireplace and a swimming pool dug out from a massive rock. Originally a vacation home for a family, it has since been converted into a museum.