The Maria Theresa Memorial is a monumental sculptural ensemble located on the square named in her honor in Vienna's historic Innere Stadt district. It stands between the two grand buildings of the Natural History Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, forming the centerpiece of the Maria-Theresien-Platz.

The memorial was commissioned to commemorate the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, who ruled the Habsburg dominions from 1740 to 1780. The project was initiated by her descendant, Emperor Franz Joseph I, and the monument was unveiled to the public in 1888. The creation of this significant work involved several prominent artists of the period.

The central figure of the monument is Empress Maria Theresa, seated on a throne. The composition is designed as a representation of her court and the intellectual currents of her era. Numerous statues of significant statesmen, military commanders, and cultural figures from her time are arranged around the base and the central pillar, symbolizing the various facets of her reign.

The reign of Maria Theresa is associated with a period of profound administrative, educational, and military reforms that modernized the Habsburg monarchy. Her rule saw the implementation of compulsory primary education, significant changes to the tax system and army, and a codification of civil law. These reforms strengthened the state's central authority and are considered foundational for the later Austrian Empire.

The location of the memorial is of great historical and urban significance. The square and the surrounding Ringstraße area, including the two facing museums, were developed in the late 19th century as part of a major urban expansion project. The monument thus serves not only as a tribute to the 18th-century empress but also as a symbol of the historical consciousness and imperial prestige of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the height of its power in the late 19th century.

Today, the Maria Theresa Memorial is a protected historical landmark and a major focal point in the city's museum district. It is a popular meeting point and a notable feature on tourist itineraries, offering a visual and historical connection between Vienna's imperial past and its present status as a cultural capital.