15 Buildings That Took ‘Secluded’ To The Next Level

If solitude had a zip code, these places would still be several miles away from it. You won’t find Starbucks or even roads nearby. Somehow, someone still said, “Yes, right here!” and put up walls. These buildings didn’t just ditch society—they ghosted it. Here are 20 of the most remote buildings ever constructed—each far beyond the reach of everyday life.

St. Mary’s Church, Tristan da Cunha

Imagine a six-day boat trip just to reach church. That’s Tristan da Cunha, the world’s most remote inhabited island, over 1,700 miles from South Africa. St. Mary’s Church, built in 1923, serves a tiny community of a few hundred. No airport exists, and the nearest hospital is 2,437 kilometers away.

The Chapel Of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, France

You’ll need to climb 268 steps to reach the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, sitting high on a 279-foot volcanic rock. There’s no road that goes all the way up. Even though it’s near Le Puy-en-Velay, the chapel feels really remote. But the amazing views of the mountain valleys make the climb totally worth it.

The Pyramid At Ballandean, Australia

This pyramid stands in a remote field near Ballandean, Australia. It was built over many years by a single person using nearby granite. The site has no known cultural or religious meaning. Locals view it as a mystery, adding to its unusual presence in such an isolated location.

Meteora Monasteries, Greece

The Meteora Monasteries were constructed atop rock pillars soaring over 1,000 feet. Originally, monks climbed up using rope ladders or were pulled up by a winch. Today, six of the original 24 monasteries still function. These sites also offered shelter during wartime, making them an architectural and historical stronghold worth visiting.

Taung Kalat Monastery, Myanmar 

Planning a visit? Bring good shoes and steady legs—Taung Kalat sits on an extinct volcano and takes 777 steep steps to reach. Monkeys? They’ll likely follow you up. And the mist is also a constant companion. On clear days, the monastery’s position can be seen from far across the region.

Christian Church On Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

You will need a boat or a helicopter to even think about visiting this church. It is hidden inside one of the Arctic’s most remote towns, where fewer than 500 people live. Sea ice seals off the area for most of the year. When it thaws, this little church stands quietly among the ice.

Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), Bhutan

Visiting Paro Taktsang means hiking a difficult uphill trail through forest and rock. It sits 3,000 feet above the valley floor, with no road going directly to it. This monastery, connected to the 8th-century mystic Guru Padmasambhava, has almost no visible foundation and clings right to the cliffside. Be ready for thin air and steep climbs.

Icehotel In Jukkasjarvi, Sweden

Every winter, a stunning work of art made of ice and snow appears in Jukkasjarvi, 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The Icehotel is rebuilt each year and melts away when spring arrives. Guests spend chilly nights in thermal sleeping bags, embracing the quiet and the rare beauty of one of the world’s most remote places.

Eremo di San Colombano, Italy

Eremo di San Colombano, built into a cliff in the Trentino mountains in the 10th century by hermit monks, served as a place for prayer and solitude. Guests reach it by climbing 102 carved stone steps in about 15 minutes. Inside are ancient frescoes and a small chapel. It’s open in warmer months.

The Monastery Of Santa Maria dell’Isola, Italy

Planning a trip through southern Italy? You’ve got to check out Tropea’s cliffside monastery. It sits on a rocky outcrop, and you get there by winding up some carved stone paths. Even though it looks cut off, you can visit anytime. Fun fact: Hermits built the monastery here to avoid the pirates who roamed the coast below.

Supai Village Post Office, Arizona

To send mail to Supai Village, you need to plan ahead. No roads reach it for over eight miles, and all deliveries arrive by mule. This post office sits at the canyon’s base, serving the Havasupai Tribe. Remote though it is, it remains an essential connection point for the community.

Solovetsky Monastery, Russia

This place takes ‘remote’ to the next level. Solovetsky Monastery sits on icy islands in the White Sea. Most of the year, it’s locked in by ice, and boats reach it only in summer. Used as a gulag during Soviet times, it’s now one of the most secluded—and haunting—places to visit.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, India

Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple stands on the highest point of Bandipur National Park in southern India. The structure is often hidden in mist and fog. Wildlife, such as elephants and leopards, is common nearby, so access is restricted to daylight hours. It remains one of the most remote temples in the country.

Skellig Michael Monastery, Ireland 

Imagine building a monastery on a giant sea rock back in the 6th century. That’s Skellig Michael for you. Perched off Ireland’s coast, it’s got stone huts clinging to cliffs and waves crashing below. Boats can only reach it in calm weather. No wonder it starred in “Star Wars.”

Barentsburg Chapel, Svalbard, Norway

Reaching Barentsburg Chapel requires serious planning. No roads lead in, just snowmobiles or ships. This wooden structure, built in the Arctic cold, serves a small Russian community near the North Pole. Prepare for pitch-black winters when the sun vanishes for months. It’s isolation in every sense, but visitors say it’s deeply peaceful.