A half block west of Michaelerplatz is Joseph’s Square (Josefsplatz). Here you will encounter the equestrian statue by Franz Anton von Zauner of Joseph II. His mother, Maria Theresa, had a 40 year reign as queen. Her death in 1780 ended the Austrian Habsburgs line. This made Joseph II the first ruler of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. He was also Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1765 until 1790. Also in Joseph’s Square is Augustinian Church. Augustinerkirche became the church of the imperial court in 1339.
