Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico

Maximilian von Habsburg, b. July 6,  1832, d. June 19,1867, was an Austrian archduke who  became emperor of Mexico in 1864.  In his early years, Maximilian, the brother of Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph, served his family's empire as a naval officer and governor of Lombardy-Venetia in Italy (1857-59). In 1857 he married Carlota the daughter of Leopold  I, King of the Belgians.

In 1862 the French invaded Mexico, hoping  to establish an empire there. Mexican conservatives offered Maximilian the crown of emperor of Mexico, and Napoleon III convinced him to accept. In 1864, Maximilian and Carlota arrived in Mexico, The conservatives wanted Maximilian to annul the liberal reforms of the Benito Juarez goverment. Instead, he pursued moderate policies, thereby alienating many of his conservative supporters. The liberals forcibly resisted him because his empire had been created by the French invaders. When Napoleon III withdrew the French army in 1867, Maximilian first prepared to depart but was later persuaded to  remain and fight to retain his crown. The empire's forces were overwhelmed by the liberal armies, however, and Maximilian was captured and executed near Queretaro.

The restaurant Kaiser Maximilian was named after him, providing you with a combination of modern european cuisine and contemporary & traditional austrian dishes. We hope you will enjoy your visit.