Maria Theresa's Monument

An imposing statue of Empress Maria Theresa, the only female ruler during the Hapsburg dynasty, sits between Vienna's Natural History Museum and Art History Museum. The mother of sixteen who oversaw several wars, arranged marriages for most of her children in an attempt to create greater peace and security for her country. In the process, the happiness of her children and, in some cases their lives, were sacrificed. She insisted on educational reforms for her citizens and funded the interests of her husband, a serious amateur scientist. The collections they amassed became the foundation of the marvelous Natural History Museum.