Legend has it that the dolls on the Island of Dolls have a life of their own. Locals claim that they have seen the dolls move their heads, and arms, open their eyes and even change their positions. Some say they have heard the dolls whisper to each other at night. The island is full of dolls hanging from the trees, and the buildings are covered in cobwebs and insects, making it a haunting sight.
The Story of Don Julian and The Island of Dolls
The story of the Island of Dolls is closely tied to the story of Don Julian Santana Barrera. In the mid-20th century, Julian left his wife and family to isolate himself on an island on Teshuilo Lake. He collected dolls and arranged them on the island as a way to appease the ghost of a young girl he believed he saw in the canals. Over time, the island became filled with thousands of dolls, some of which were said to be haunted, decomposing, and even decapitated.
Despite its eerie appearance, the Island of Dolls has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing in visitors from around the world who are curious about its history and strange dolls. Whether you’re seeking a ghostly adventure or simply a unique experience, the Island of Dolls is a must-visit destination in Mexico City.
What happened at Island of Dolls?
The story of the Island of Dolls is deeply intertwined with the life of Don Julian Santana Barrera. In the mid-20th century, Julian left his wife and family behind to live a solitary life on an island on Teshuilo Lake. Not long after settling in, he made a frightening discovery on the shores of the island – the body of a young girl who had drowned in the lake. Shortly after, a doll floated down the canal, marking a turning point in Julian’s life and the future of the island.
Superstitious and deeply religious, Julian believed that the girl’s ghost was haunting the island. In an attempt to appease her vengeful spirit, he hung the doll he had found on a tree. This became a habit that he continued for the rest of his life, as he collected dolls that washed up on the shores of the lake or that he found in the garbage. He hung them up on the island in whatever condition he found them in.
The Island of Dolls was originally owned by Don Julian Santana Barrera and continues to be a popular tourist attraction, attracting visitors from around the world who are drawn to its eerie history and strange dolls. The story behind La Isla de Las Muñecas (the haunted Island of Dolls) is both intriguing and eerie. According to legend, a young girl drowned in the canal, her body found entangled among the lilies on the banks of the Santampa chinampas.
Many people, including Don Julian’s family, never believed that he had actually found the body of a young girl. Some thought that he had made the story up, or was mistaken about the whole situation. Others, however, believe that a girl did in fact drown in the lake and that her spirit haunted Don Julian until his death.
Regardless of the truth behind the story, the entire island still boasts dolls in various states of decay, with missing heads, torsos, or showing signs of wear and tear. Don Julian also had a cabin filled with dolls, which he dressed up with headdresses, sunglasses, and other accessories.
As word of the haunted island spread, more and more curious visitors came to see it. Julian welcomed them with open arms, showing them around the island and pointing out his favorite dolls.
Tragically, Julian was found dead in 2001, in the same spot where he claimed to have found the girl’s body and doll nearly 50 years before.
After his death, tourists began flocking to the island to pay tribute to both Don Julian and the girl. They brought dolls of their own to hang in tribute, and to this day, people continue to honor both of them by hanging dolls on the island.
The Eerie Journey to La Isla De Las Munecas
The La Isla De Las Munecas is a hauntingly beautiful destination located an hour and a half from Embarcadero Cuemanco. The one-hour boat ride includes a tour of the ecological area, the Ajolote Museum, the Xochimilco canals, Teshuilo Lake, and Llorona Island.
The island, adorned with thousands of dolls hanging from trees, also features a small museum filled with articles from local newspapers about its history and former owner. The museum comprises a store and three rooms, one of which is thought to have served as Julian’s bedroom and holds his first collected doll and his favorite, Agustinita.
The eerie boat ride costs $75 and showcases the stunning beauty of the jungle, including its various bird species, water snakes, and breathtaking scenery. However, upon reaching the Island of the Dolls, photographer Cindy Vasko describes it as the “creepiest place” she’s ever been to.
“At the end of the journey, the boat turned along a bend in the waterway, and I was struck by a surreal vision of hundreds, maybe thousands of dolls hanging from trees on the tiny island,” she said.
Locals claim that the dolls come to life at night and whisper among themselves, while some visitors bring their own dolls as a sign of respect and to seek blessings. The island has now become a popular tourist attraction, but it all started with Don Julian leaving his family and making the isolated island his home. Some believe that after Don Julian’s death, his spirit joined the other alleged haunts on The Island of the Dolls.
The Island of Dolls is a hauntingly beautiful destination that offers a unique experience for those seeking a ghostly adventure. Whether you’re curious about its history, or simply want to explore its eerie beauty, La Isla De Las Munecas is a must-visit destination in Mexico City.
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