As the sole female ruler of the Habsburg Empire and one of the most revered of Austria’s royals, it seems only fitting that Empress Maria Theresa should have a public square named in her honor. One of the most impressive and important public spaces in Vienna, the square is included in many kick bike, bike, and minivan tours of Vienna along with other sights like the Vienna State Opera, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hundertwasserhaus, and the Albertina.
The Maria Theresien Platz is located directly on the Ringstrasse between the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History). Take Metro U3 and U2 to the Volkstheater or Museumsquartier stations.
The square is entirely outdoors and best visited on a clear day to take in its gardens, fountains, and sculptures. During the Christmas season, it is home to a traditional open-air market that is among the most popular in the city.
Laid out in the 19th century, Maria Theresien Platz centers around an enormous statue of Maria Theresa (often known as Sissi) by Kaspar Zumbusch, encircled by a series of formal gardens, dotted with monumental fountains and sculptures. The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History) bookend the square on both sides, with elegant neo-Renaissance facades that were created as part of the grand imperial Kaiserforum, the masterwork of German architect Gottfried Semper.
