The Natural History Museum is the counterpart of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which lies directly opposite. It was designed like the latter, by G. Semper and K. Hasenauer and was completed in 1881. The exhibits are displayed in 39 galleries and a domed hall, and now form one of the major European natural history collections. The collection was founded by Francis I, the consort of Maria Theresa who opened it to the public in 1765. the exhibits have been on show in the present building since 1889, and the lax-outs have been constantly extended and modernized.