As children, many of us played with dolls. Even as adults, we may still have a strong emotional attachment to dolls that can be found in various places in our homes. Even if we no longer actively care for the doll, it may still hold a haunting presence in our home, appearing in various rooms and hallways at night. However, we may not even be aware of this as the doll may simply be sitting in a familiar spot such as by our bed or on the sofa with a blank expression.
Hollywood movies such as "Child's Play," "Annabelle," and "Dead Silence" often depict scenes where dolls are portrayed as eerie and frightening. In psychology, the fear of dolls is known as "pedophobia." For individuals who suffer from this phobia, a trip to the Mexican island of Xochimilco could potentially be a traumatic experience, as the island is known for its tradition of creating and displaying detailed and lifelike dolls.
Xochimilco, The Dolls Island
The Dolls Island, located in the Xochimilco canals south of Mexico City, is known for its stunning natural beauty and picturesque views. However, what sets it apart from other Mexican islands is the numerous reports of strange and otherworldly occurrences on the island.
The island of Xochimilco is said to have become even eerier after the indigenous inhabitants began practicing a mysterious ritual as a means of preventing various haunted occurrences.
The island of Xochimilco first gained notoriety in the 1990s when the Mexican government began cleaning its canals and people stumbled upon the island. They discovered hundreds of eerie-looking dolls hanging from trees and on various structures throughout the island. These dolls are known to be quite unsettling to look at.
Following a tragic accident in 2001, the practice of hanging dolls became a part of the ritual of the island's indigenous inhabitants. Today, the island is filled with thousands of unsettling dolls scattered throughout, earning it the nickname "Island of the Dead Dolls" or simply "Dolls Island."
The Legend Of The Dolls Island
The origins of the dolls on Dolls Island can be traced back to a story about a young man named Julian Santana Barrera. According to legend, about six decades ago, Julian moved to the island seeking peace. However, a few months later, a young girl drowned in a water reservoir on the island under mysterious circumstances. It was later revealed that the girl had been on a trip to the island with her family and had gotten lost.
After this tragic incident, various strange occurrences began to happen on the island. One day, Julian noticed a doll floating in the same spot where the girl had drowned. He retrieved the doll and hung it on a tree as a way to provide a resting place for the girl's restless spirit.
From then on, whenever Julian went outside, he would find a new doll hanging in various locations. Over time, the number of dolls on the island began to grow. In 2001, Julian himself died under mysterious circumstances at the same spot where the girl had died, leading many to believe that the girl's spirit was responsible for his death.
After Julian's death, the islanders began to place dolls on the trees as a way to appease the ghost of the dead girl, and this act gradually turned into a ritual. Over time, due to exposure to the elements such as sun and rain, the dolls have become worn and weathered, taking on a frightening appearance that can be unsettling for visitors.
But this is not where the story ends. According to local legends, the dolls are also said to be haunted by the ghost of the dead girl. Some believe that the dolls come to life at night and can be heard whispering to each other.
Island Of The Dead Dolls, Tourist Attraction
Whether it be out of a sense of reverence for the girl who died or to experience the eerie presence of the hanging dolls, thousands of tourists visit this mysterious island in Mexico every year. Today, the Dolls Island has also become a popular destination for photographers seeking to capture its unique and eerie atmosphere.
In addition to the eerie dolls, the island also features a small museum that showcases articles from local newspapers about the island and its previous owner. This museum also houses the first doll that Julian collected, as well as his favorite doll, Agustinita.
Here's How To Reach The Dolls Island
The "Island of the Dolls" is located an hour and a half away from Embarcadero Cuemanco and can only be accessed by boat, known as trajinera. Many boat operators are willing to transport visitors to the island, but some may refuse due to superstitions. The journey, which takes approximately an hour, includes a tour of the Ecological Area, the Ajolote Museum, the Apatlaco Canal, the Teshuilo Lagoon, and the Llorona Island.
