‘Island Of The Dolls’ Is An Incredibly Eerie Haunt [Video]



The Island of the Dolls is a place of mystery and superstition. It is said to be one of the most haunted and scariest places in the world. The remote wooded area in Xochimilco, Mexico City is the home to hundreds of chilling and terrifying dolls locals say are possessed.

The dolls on the island eerily hang from trees and wire fences starring with blank eyes, severed limbs, and decapitated heads.

Creepy Looking Dolls
Don Julian Santana Barrera became convinced that the little girl’s ghost had possessed the doll and began to hang up more and more to appease her spirit. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

Just south of Mexico City, located within a far-reaching network of canals, the Island of the Dolls is dedicated to the lost soul of a poor little girl who mysteriously died by drowning in a nearby canal.

Tormented Don Julian
A reclusive Mexican artist began to hang dolls from the trees in a forest to appease the ghost of a young girl who – legend has it – drowned in a nearby canal. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

Though the dolls on the island look threatening during daylight hours, at night they are extremely disturbing to look at.

Legend has it that many years ago; a small girl met her death on the island when she mysteriously drowned. Local villagers say the dolls are possessed by the poor girl’s spirit.

Haunting Dolls
The dolls hung from the trees have been decaying in the Mexican woods for 14 years, many have been infested by insects. Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

People say the dolls move their legs, arms–and even open and close their eyes.

A few witnesses claim the dolls on the island whisper to each other.

And others report they are lured to the island when they pass by on their small boats.

Doll Head And Cat
Cat on the Island of the Dolls. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)
Photo of Don Julian Santana Barrera
Julian Santana Barrera on the Island of the Dolls. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

These reports may be exaggerated, and perhaps the island is not possessed, but the truth is that the Island of the Dolls, known as the Isla de las Munecas in Mexico, is a very eerie and creepy place.

According to the story of the Island of the Dolls, Don Julian Santana Barrera found a little girl drowned in mysterious circumstances.

He attempted to save her life but was unsuccessful.

Shortly after the drowning, Julian saw a floating doll near the canals. He believed the doll belonged to the little girl.

In an attempt to show some respect and support the spirit of the girl, Julian picked up the doll and hung it to a tree.

Dolls Along Fence
Barrera began ‘decorating’ the site with hundreds of dolls to please her ghost – hanging them from trees and from the wire fencing around his house. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

Haunted by the spirit of the girl, Julian started hanging more dolls in an attempt to please her spirit.

As time went on, he realized the dolls themselves were possessed by the spirits of dead girls, so he continued to collect more chilling and creepy looking dolls and kept hanging them all over the entire island.

Tourist Hand Dolls
Tourists have added their own personal touches to the terrifying dolls he left behind, and even leave donations to his family. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

People who were close to Julian say the man was tormented 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, Don Julian Santana Barrera was found dead, having drowned in the same exact spot where the small girl died.

Tourist Attraction In Mexico
Since Don Julian Santana Barrera’s death in 2001, the area known as the ‘chinampas’ has become a tourist hot spot where visitors hang up there own dolls. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Vasko)

Many people who live on the Island of the Dolls believe that Julian has joined the other spirits of the island. The locals believe the Isla de las Munecas is a charmed place.

After Don Julian Santana Barrera’s death in 2001, the Island of the Dolls became a tourist attraction, where visitors bring more dolls.

Although Don Julian’s actions were innocent and even considered admirable, the Island of the Dolls is portrayed as a real nightmarish destination.

[Featured image via Cindy Vasko]

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