Maria Theresia
Mother Empress of Habsbury Austria
8 Dec 06 – 31 Jan 07
National Museum of Singapore
Singapore

Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina, or Maria Theresia as she is commonly known, was an extraordinary woman of many talents. In 1740, she became the first and only female ruler of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty which comprises modern Austria, much of present-day Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Serbia & Montenegro, Romania, northern Italy and Belgium.

Maria Theresia was much the ‘accidental’ Empress, for if her father Emperor Karl VI had had a son, she would never ascend the throne. Despite her gender, Maria Theresia was an effective Empress who safeguarded her domains with her instinctive military inclination. She was also an initiator of many long-lasting bureaucratic, religious and educational reforms, and an ardent patron of the arts.

With a display of over ninety objects linked to Maria Theresia’s reign as Empress of the Habsburg dynasty, the artifacts provide an intimate glimpse of the splendors of her court. Highlights include the relic of Saint Francis Xavier, The Regalia and Medal of Order of the Golden Fleece, the writing desk of Marie Antoinette and the Gold Breakfast Table Service of Maria Theresia. This exhibition explores the reign of a remarkable Empress, who had, as a woman, dealt capably with the intricacies and complexities of monarchy in a male-dominated arena.

Maria Theresia’s exhibition is one of the highlights for the National Museum of Singapore Opening Festival.

Admission Time:

10am -6pm

Admission charge:

S$8 (Maria Theresia: Mother Empress of Habsbury Austria exhibition only)
Concession Rates: 50 % discount for senior citizen, NSF, student, child (except infant in arms)
Group Discount: 10% discount for group booking of 20 persons and more
Family Package: for 3 adults and 2 children at S$24.

Free Guided Tours:

11am & 3pm (weekdays)
11.30am & 3.30pm (weekends)

Getting There:

Bus-stop (YMCA)
SBS: 7, 14, 14E, 16, 36, 64, 65, 111, 124, 139, 162, 174, 174E, 502, 521
TIBS: 77, 106, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A, 1NR6, NR7

Bus-stop (Stamford)
SBS: 7, 14, 14E, 16, 36, 111, 124, 131, 147, 162, 166, 174, 174E, 502
TIBS: 77, 106, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A, 857, NR7

MRT
Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (North- East Line)

Car Park:

There is no public parking available on the Museum’s premise, Parking is available at the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Fort Canning.