The Habsburg monarchy was a powerful European dynasty that ruled over various territories from the late Middle Ages until the early 20th century. It originated in what is now Switzerland and expanded its influence through strategic marriages and political alliances, eventually controlling vast regions including Austria, Hungary, and parts of Spain and Italy. The monarchy is best known for its role in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was established in 1867. The Habsburgs were significant players in European politics, often involved in conflicts such as the Thirty Years' War and the World War I, which ultimately led to the empire's dissolution in 1918.