Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a little island with a sinister past hidden deep in its waterways. Hundreds of maimed and decaying dolls reside in this unsettling location, which is also known as the Island of Dolls (Isla de las Muñecas).
Don Julian Santana Barrera, a solitary hermit who spent more than 50 years living on the island, is the protagonist of the Island of Dolls narrative. There is a rumor that Don Julian one day discovered a drowned girl’s body near the island’s shore. He started gathering dolls and hanging them from the trees to placate her ghost.
Dolls of all sizes and forms were added to Don Julian’s collection over the years. Many of the dolls have lifeless, blank eyes, while others have their heads severed. Some of the dolls are missing limbs. A sense of anxiety and dread is evoked by the twisted and horrific display of dolls hanging from the trees.
Even after Don Julian passed away in 2001, visitors can still visit the Island of Dolls. It is now a well-liked vacation spot for people looking for adventure or a peek of the macabre. Tourists are cautioned to show respect for the dolls and the dead girl’s ghost before embarking on boat tours to explore the island’s spooky scenery.
The Island of Dolls is the subject of numerous myths and legends. Many claim that the dolls are haunted by ghosts of the deceased. Some people assert that the dolls whisper to one another or move their heads and arms at night. Even reports of the dolls cursing travelers exist.
It’s undeniable that the Island of Dolls is a haunted area, whether or not you believe the stories. It’s enough to shiver anyone’s spine to see so many broken and rotting dolls dangling from the trees. The Island of Dolls is undoubtedly worth visiting if you’re searching for a distinctive and memorable vacation experience.