The Sad Legend Behind Mexico's Most Unlikely Tourist Attraction Called Island of the Dolls Lauren McMah - NZHerald
go to original October 18, 2016

Mexico is known for its architectural wonders built by ancient civilizations. Recently though, a more unusual sort of attraction is drawing in tourists. The so-called 'Island of the Dolls', with hundreds of baby figues hanging in trees, has been drawing tourists to Mexico City's Xochimilco canals. (Al Jazeera)

Mexico's La Isla de las Munecas, or "Island of the Dolls", has become an unlikely tourist attraction just south of Mexico City, drawing thousands of tourists and photographers morbidly fascinated by the strange spectacle.

But it's the tragic story behind the island that is perhaps more disturbing, and according to legend, it begins with the tragic death of an anonymous young girl more than 50 years ago.

According to reports, a man named Don Julian Santana left his wife and child one day and moved to an island on Teshuilo Lake in the famous Xochimilco canals to live out his years as a recluse.

Upon arriving at the island, reportedly some time in the 1950s, Santana discovered the body of a young girl who had drowned in a canal. He later found her toy doll floating nearby.

Moved by the discovery of the girl's body, and perhaps to appease her spirit, Santana set about transforming the whole island into a shrine dedicated to the lost soul.

Isla de las Munecas is about 28km south of the center of Mexico City. Visitors can catch a ferry there from the Embarcedero Cuemanco or Embarcadero Fernando Celada, and it's about a four-hour round trip - but not all tour boats stop at Isla De las Munecas, so ask ahead.

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