The Habsburg Empire's Forgotten Navy: Austria's Adriatic Ambition

This episode explores the often-overlooked naval history of the Habsburg Empire, from its modest beginnings under Maria Theresa to its zenith as a Mediterranean power under Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Lucas and Luna dive into the key figures, including Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, who led the Austrian fleet to victory at the Battle of Lissa in 1866, and the controversial construction of the dreadnought Viribus Unitis. They discuss the strategic importance of the Adriatic ports of Trieste and Pola, the rivalry with Italy, and the navy's role in empire-building. The conversation also touches on the ironic end of the fleet, which was handed over to the new Yugoslav state in 1918 only to be scuttled by Italian saboteurs. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on Austrian history, moving beyond land battles to the waves. #HabsburgNavy #BattleOfLissa #WilhelmVonTegetthoff #ViribusUnitis #Trieste #Pola #AdriaticSea #AustroHungarianEmpire #NavalHistory #ArchdukeFranzFerdinand #Dreadnought #MariaTheresa #YugoslavNavy #WorldWarI #ItalianSabotage #FexingoHistory #History #Europe Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo