What is the story of The Island of The Dolls?

Just south of Mexico City, between the canals of Xochimico you can find a small island with a sad background which never intended to be a tourist destination. The island is known as Isla de las Munecas (The Island of the Dolls – photos here).

It is dedicated to the lost soul of a poor girl who met her fate too soon in strange circumstances.

The area has thousands of people, but this small island is home to hundreds of terrifying dolls. Their severed limbs, decapitated heads, and blank eyes adorn trees.

Dolls, view over the island

Dolls on the island

The Island of the Dolls

Dolls on the island are threatening, even in the bright light of midday, but in the dark, they are particularly disturbing, as you can see in this videos.

The Island of the Dolls Legend

It is said that a girl was found drowned in mysterious circumstances many years ago on this island and that the dolls are possessed by her spirit.

Local legend says that the dolls move their heads and arms and even opened their eyes.

Some witnesses claim they had heard the dolls whispering to each other, while others who were on a boat near the island said the dolls lured them to come down to the island.

Of course these witnesses are exaggerating and the island is in no way possessed. But Isla de las Munecas is a very creepy place anyway and that marks the casual visitor.

Who made de Island of the Dolls?

The truth behind the legend

Don Julian Santana Barrera (pictures bellow) was the caretaker of the island. The story goes that Julian found a little girl drowned in mysterious circumstances while he was not able to save her life.

Julian Santana Barrera

Julian Santana Barrera on the island

Shortly thereafter, Julian saw a floating doll near the canals. Most probably, the doll belonged to the girl.

He picked up the doll and hung it to a tree, as a way of showing respect and support the spirit of the girl.

Others question even the existence of the drowned girl.

Reports conclude that Julian has made up the story about the girl in his solitude.

What do the dolls hanging from the trees represent?

Julian was apparently haunted by the spirit of the girl and started hanging more dolls in an attempt to please her spirit. He soon realized the dolls themselves were possessed by the spirits of dead girls, and continued to collect creepy dolls hanging them over the entire island. According to those close to him, it was as if Julian was driven by some unseen force that completely changed him. Apparently he was very marked by the fact that he was not able to save the little girl’s life. After 50 years of collecting dolls and hanging them on the island, Julian was found dead, drowned in the same spot where the girl did. Oldest doll on the island

Many people on the island believe that Julian has joined the other spirits of the island.

The locals are very faithful that the Isla de las Munecas is a charmed place. After Julian’s death in 2001, it has become a tourist attraction, where visitors bring more dolls.

Since the death of Julian, the island has become very famous and has even been featured in many articles and even TV shows.

Although the action of Don Julian was innocent and even admirable, it ended up being portrayed as a real nightmarish destination.

Soulless eyes follow visitors as they visit the small island (which is actually a floating garden).