Investigation Summary
The Island of the Dolls (*Isla de las Munecas*) is a chinampa in the Xochimilco canal network, Mexico City, covered with hundreds to approximately 4,000 dolls hung by Don Julian Santana Barrera over approximately five decades. Barrera, a hermit who relocated to the island c. 1951-1955, died in 2001; his body was found face down in the canal.
The island has been open to visitors since 2001 and was recognised by Guinness World Records in 2022 as the world's largest collection of haunted dolls. The frequently repeated legend of a drowned girl who motivated Barrera has not been supported by official records.