Wasserschloss Heerse, Moated castle in Bad Driburg, Germany

Wasserschloss Heerse is a moated castle in Neuenheerse, a district of Bad Driburg. The former abbess's residence, built in 1599 under Ottilia von Fürstenberg, stands on an island ringed by moats fed by the nearby Nethe spring. Its rooms, about 2,500 m² in all, now hold museum exhibitions.

A convent for nuns was founded at this location in the 9th century, but the current castle structure was built around 1600. The Fürstenberg family shaped the property over generations as their residence.

Since 1993 the castle has been open for guided tours. On about 2,500 m² it shows a collection on European hunting culture, a section on German colonial history and a collection on Prussian history, alongside the mammal and Africa collections.

Visitors can walk around the surrounding moat and explore the outdoor grounds independently. Before entering the exhibition rooms, check ahead as opening hours vary throughout the year.

The castle has been open to guided tours since 1993, after the Ghanaian honorary consul Manfred O. Schröder and his wife Helga bought the abbey building and gatehouse in 1989 and converted the interiors into a museum. The moats are fed by the nearby Nethe spring.