The nuns themselves have said they were unhappy about being moved to the retirement home. Photo credit: Anton Herrington/Shutterstock
Three elderly Austrian nuns have sparked headlines after escaping from a nursing home and returning to their former convent near Salzburg, defying church authorities who had previously dissolved their religious community.
The women, aged 88, 86 and 82, left the retirement home earlier this month and were taken back to the Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, on the outskirts of Salzburg. According to reports, the nuns were assisted by a locksmith, former pupils of their once-prestigious Catholic school, and other supporters.
The convent had been home to the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, a congregation known locally for running the Goldenstein girls’ school, which operated for more than a century before closing in 2014. In early 2024, the Archdiocese of Salzburg, together with Reichersberg Abbey, formally dissolved the religious community, citing the advanced age of the remaining sisters and their need for professional care. The last of the nuns were subsequently relocated to a nursing facility.
On September 4, however, the three elderly sisters returned to their old convent. Supporters reported that on arrival, the building had no running water or electricity. Assistance was provided by sympathisers who arranged medical checks, basic supplies, and ongoing help to make the premises habitable. The nuns themselves have said they were unhappy about being moved to the retirement home, describing the relocation as being made against their wishes. One was quoted as saying they wanted to remain at Goldenstein until the end of their lives, insisting it was their rightful home. Local media and international outlets have described the return as a symbolic act of defiance, underscoring the sisters’ determination to maintain independence despite their age and frailty. The story has drawn significant public interest, with former students of the Goldenstein school expressing support for the nuns’ decision.
In an unexpected development, the sisters have also taken to social media to share their new chapter. They launched an Instagram account where they post daily updates about convent life, including attending Mass, gardening, and preparing meals. Within days, the account gained more than 10,000 followers, bringing their story to a global audience and connecting them with supporters far beyond Austria. The Archdiocese of Salzburg has confirmed that the convent no longer functions as an active religious community. Officials have also acknowledged the nuns’ return but stressed that arrangements for their welfare remain under review. The church has not provided further details about whether the sisters will be allowed to remain permanently in the convent or whether they may face pressure to return to residential care.
Goldenstein Convent, situated against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps, holds deep cultural and educational significance for the region. Generations of women were educated there until the school closed just over a decade ago. For many locals, the sight of the ageing sisters returning has rekindled memories of the convent’s prominent role in Salzburg’s Catholic life. Health concerns remain a pressing issue. The three women are in their eighties and late eighties, and authorities have highlighted the need for adequate care and facilities, particularly given the convent’s lack of modern utilities. A family doctor who visited the nuns after their return reportedly deemed them fit to remain, at least for the time being.
For now, the sisters remain at Goldenstein, supported by loyal friends, former students, and now thousands of online followers. Their dramatic break from the nursing home and determined return to their convent has stirred debate in Austria over autonomy, ageing, and the rights of religious women in the twilight of their lives.
