The equestrian statue

Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen

In front of the main entrance to the Albertina on the Albrecht Ramp stands the imposing equestrian statue of Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen (1817-1895), after whom the palace housing the collection and museum is named.

Archduke Albrecht Friedrich Rudolf is born in 1817, the eldest son of Archduke Charles. Because his father is already a famous commander, defeating Napoleon in the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809, the son also takes up a military career. And shows promise.

As a young man he is made colonel, then commanding general. As Commandant of Vienna he tries to quell the people’s uprising in 1848 with armed violence, but receives no support. So Albrecht withdraws.

The young Emperor Franz Joseph is impressed by this staunch, anti-liberal position, and entrusts his elder relative with the highest military duties in the following decades.

In 1866 Archduke Albrecht defeats Guiseppe Garibaldi’s army, who are fighting for a united Italy, in the Battle of Custoza. It is this victory to which the monument of Archduke Albrecht on the Augustinian Bastion is dedicated.

Unveiled on May 21, 1899 on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Aspern-Essling, the equestrian statue rests on a simple, oval base above 3 steps. Inscriptions with the names of the Archduke as well as homages to Emperor Franz Joseph decorate the base. The bronze sculpture itself shows Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen in an Austro-Hungarian inspector general’s uniform with a marshal’s baton in his hand.