The Habsburgs were a powerful European royal family that ruled over various territories from the late Middle Ages until the early 20th century. They originated in what is now Switzerland and expanded their influence through strategic marriages and alliances, eventually controlling vast regions, including parts of Austria, Hungary, and Spain. The Habsburgs are best known for their role in the Holy Roman Empire, where they produced many emperors. Their reign saw significant political and cultural developments, but it also faced challenges, such as wars and the rise of nationalism, leading to the decline of their empire by the early 1900s.