Whether it is because of the legends they have or because of their dark past, these places of terror in CDMX will make your hair stand on end. The best thing is that they are places you can visit. Of course: after knowing these stories you won’t be able to see them in the same way. Do you dare?
1. Island of the Dolls
The canals of Xochimilco hold many stories. This one tells of a little girl who drowned after getting entangled in the lilies. Don Julian, who lived in one of the chinampas, said that the spirit of the little girl tormented him, so he decided to place countless dolls that he found in the garbage and other places.
According to the Xochimilco website, Don Julian sought to scare away evil spirits with these dolls. Today it is one of the must-see places in this municipality.
📍Canals of Xochimilco.
2. Avocado Alley
This mysterious alley is home to different legends. The most famous one tells the story of an ex-military man who went for a daily walk in the area. During his walks he would meet a child, who insisted on playing with him.
The ex-military man was very irritated by this situation. One day he exploded in anger and killed the boy. After seeing what he had done, he was very sorry and decided to put an altar in the corner so that everyone could ask forgiveness for their sins.
Legend has it that the child’s soul still wanders in this alley. Undoubtedly this is one of the places of terror that cause more impact in the Coyoacan district of CDMX.
📍Aguacate 19-31, Santa Catarina, Coyoacán.
3. Don Juan Manuel Solórzano
At number 90 República de Uruguay street there is an old building where, it is said, Juan Manuel Solórzano lived. He was a man who thought his wife was being unfaithful. Overcome with jealousy, he made a pact with the devil to tell him who his wife’s lover was.
This being told him that he had to go out on the street at 11:00 p.m. to see who the lover was. So he did. He went out and met a man, to whom he asked the time. Then he added “blessed is he who knows the hour of his death” and stabbed him in the heart, killing him instantly.
Don Juan Manuel thought he had killed the supposed lover, but the devil only mocked him by telling him he had the wrong person. Thus he continued night after night killing people until he unknowingly murdered one of his relatives. Overwhelmed by guilt he went to confession and days later he appeared hanging on the gallows in the area.
It is said that a person can still be seen on this street in the Historic Center asking what time it is.
📍Uruguay 90, Centro, Cuauhtémoc.
4. The enchanted stone in Tlalpan
This is one of the most terrifying places in CDMX. There as you see it, this stone located in the Fuentes Brotantes Park, in Tlalpan, keeps a lot of mystery. Legend has it that on December 24th and 31st this structure disappears and in its place appears an old store.
According to the story, those who see this store should avoid entering, because once they cross the door there is no way out.
📍avenida de las Fuentes, Tlalpan.
5. Palace of the School of Medicine
This is currently one of the must-see museums in Mexico City. In its rooms you will learn more about the history of medicine, the human body and even about certain diseases. However, it wasn’t always like this.
The building is also known as the Old Palace of the Inquisition. It was completed in 1736 and was the seat of the Tribunal of the Holy Office for 84 years, as detailed on the official website of the precinct.
It is said that cruel punishments were meted out there to people who committed crimes against morality or went against religion. It officially ceased to function in 1820. It was abandoned for many years due to the legends that were told about the place. By 1854 it became a medical school.
📍Brasil 33, Centro, Cuauhtémoc.
6. Lecumberri Palace
Also known as the “black palace” Lecumberri is one of the places of terror in CDMX that awakens our curiosity for its dark past. From 1900 to 1976, it was a gloomy penitentiary where, in addition to criminals, politicians, art figures and celebrities such as Juan Gabriel were locked up.
In this place, prisoners were cruelly punished; some cells were inhabited by up to 20 people. Among the darkest episodes of this prison is the assassination of President Francisco I. Madero and Vice President José María Pino Suárez, who were imprisoned and shot in the head. Their bodies were buried in this place.
Today this building is no longer a prison, but became the General Archive of the Nation where guided tours are conducted. You can schedule it here.
📍Ingeniero Eduardo Molina Avenue, Héroe de Nacozari 113, Venustiano Carranza.
What do you think about these scary places in CDMX? Have you visited any of them?