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Julian BarreraCreator of the Island of the Dolls
Country:
 Mexico |
Content:
- Julian Barrera: The Creator of Doll Island
- The Beginnings
- The Haunting Continues
- A Mysterious Demise
- An Alternative Legend
Julian Barrera: The Creator of Doll Island
A Unique IslandDoll Island is located south of Mexico City, in the canals of Xochimico, on the Teshuilo Lake. The photographs taken by tourists on this island evoke clear associations with Hollywood horror movies - dolls with lifeless eyes hanging from trees that grow in seemingly ordinary swampy lands.
The Beginnings
According to an unusual legend that exists in various versions, it all started with Julian Santana Barrera, the former sole inhabitant of the then-nameless island. One version tells the story of how Julian once found the body of a little girl in the water. It was too late to save her, and the circumstances of her death remained a mystery. Shortly after, Barrera spotted a floating doll in one of the nearby canals and immediately believed that it had once belonged to the deceased girl. In an attempt to show his respect and support for her spirit, Julian hung the doll on the nearest tree. However, this did not have the desired effect. On the contrary, the girl's spirit began to haunt Barrera.
The Haunting Continues
In an effort to appease the aggressive ghost, Julian started hanging more and more dolls on the trees. Soon, he realized that this only attracted the spirits of more deceased girls to the island. Those close to Barrera claimed that during this period, he changed beyond recognition, perhaps under the influence of the girl's spirit or because he had failed to save her. The number of dolls on the island continued to grow, leaving it uncertain whether it soothed the spirits or only inspired further mischiefs.
A Mysterious Demise
In 2001, Julian passed away under strange circumstances. His nephew insists that mysterious voices lured his uncle into the surrounding waters of the island. When the nephew returned from a business trip to the mainland, he found Julian face down in the water, lifeless. Some believe that Julian's own spirit also remained on the island, unable to leave. Whether this was a blessing or a curse for him remains unclear.
An Alternative Legend
Another legend claims that the girl died 30 years before Julian settled on the island. For a long time, her spirit suffered from loneliness until Julian became her first companion in decades. He not only became her confidant but also found dolls to bring her spirit some joy. While this version lacks the suspense of the first, it is equally popular.
