Since May 2023, a monumental memorial in the form of an oversized Maria Theresa thaler has adorned Piazza Ponterosso in Trieste – a silent yet powerful symbol of the city's historical connection to the Habsburg Monarchy and Empress Maria Theresa.
🏛️ Background & Significance
Maria Theresa (1717–1780) never visited Trieste in person, but her influence on the city was enormous.
Together with her father, Emperor Charles VI, She laid the foundations for the Free Port of Trieste, which made the city one of the most important ports in Europe.
The monument honors her role in the economic and urban development of Trieste – especially in the Borgo Teresiano, the district she initiated.
The monument in detail
Shape: An oversized Maria Theresa thaler, standing upright
Material: Steel with a bronze-colored surface (real bronze would be too susceptible to corrosion near the sea)
Size:
Height: approx. 3 meters
Weight: approximately 16 tons
Location: Directly on Piazza Ponterosso, a few steps from the Grand Canal and the James Joyce statue
Design: Relief portrait of the Empress with classical inscription, inspired by the historical thaler