五仙(xian)觀(guan)(guan)在歷史上屢建(jian)(jian)屢廢,現址亦經歷多次變遷(qian)。據有關史籍記載:北宋(song)時(shi)廣(guang)州就建(jian)(jian)有祀奉五仙(xian)人的寺院;南(nan)宋(song)嘉定年(nian)(nian)(nian)間(1208~1224年(nian)(nian)(nian))寺觀(guan)(guan)遷(qian)至(zhi)西(xi)(xi)湖(hu)玉液池畔,即今(jin)西(xi)(xi)湖(hu)路附近,稱奉真(zhen)觀(guan)(guan);南(nan)宋(song)末年(nian)(nian)(nian)又遷(qian)至(zhi)今(jin)廣(guang)仁路;明洪武(wu)元年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1368年(nian)(nian)(nian))五仙(xian)觀(guan)(guan)毀于一場大(da)火;直至(zhi)洪武(wu)十年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1377年(nian)(nian)(nian)),最后遷(qian)建(jian)(jian)于現址惠福(fu)西(xi)(xi)路坡山巷,主(zhu)持修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)者(zhe)是廣(guang)東(dong)行(xing)省布(bu)政使趙嗣(si)堅。
明清時期(qi),五仙(xian)觀規模相當宏(hong)大壯麗,殿(dian)堂多(duo)達十數處。原有照壁、牌坊、山(shan)門、中殿(dian)、后(hou)殿(dian),兩(liang)側還有東西齋(zhai)、三元(yuan)殿(dian)、廊廡(wu)等。照壁、牌坊、中殿(dian)、三元(yuan)殿(dian)和(he)廊廡(wu)已蕩然(ran)無存,供游(you)人參(can)觀的只有儀門、后(hou)殿(dian)、東齋(zhai)、西齋(zhai)和(he)“嶺南第一樓(lou)”等部分舊建筑(zhu)。
五仙(xian)觀(guan)的(de)儀(yi)(yi)門面闊三間進(jin)深(shen)二間,綠琉璃瓦(wa)歇山(shan)頂,青磚石(shi)(shi)腳。石(shi)(shi)門額上“五仙(xian)古觀(guan)”大字是清同(tong)治十年(nian) (1871年(nian))兩廣總督瑞(rui)麟手書。儀(yi)(yi)門還保存(cun)有一對用漱珠崗火(huo)山(shan)巖刻制的(de)石(shi)(shi)麒麟,這是國內(nei)十分罕(han)見的(de)珍(zhen)貴文物。
儀門東邊原惠福西路小學內有(you)(you)環(huan)砌跨欄水池(chi),內有(you)(you)十塊長寬約4米(mi)的(de)天然紅砂(sha)巖石(shi),這(zhe)是一塊罕見的(de)原生石(shi),即(ji)舊羊城八(ba)景(jing)“穗石(shi)洞天”中的(de)“穗石(shi)”。近前(qian)仔(zi)細觀(guan)看,“仙人拇跡(ji)”在(zai)石(shi)面(mian)凹處,形似大足印。
進儀門后(hou)是(shi)中殿(dian)遺址,之后(hou)才是(shi)后(hou)殿(dian)。后(hou)殿(dian)面闊三間(jian)(jian)長12米,進深三間(jian)(jian)寬10米,殿(dian)高7米,是(shi)重(zhong)檐(yan)歇山頂,上(shang)蓋綠琉璃瓦。正(zheng)脊(ji)兩(liang)端為回(hui)紋飾.中間(jian)(jian)為兩(liang)條相向倒立鰲自(zi),正(zheng)中脊(ji)剎是(shi)寶物飾。殿(dian)的(de)正(zheng)桁上(shang)刻有(you)“大(da)明(ming)(ming)嘉靖十(shi)六年十(shi)一(yi)月拾貳”等字。內(nei)檐(yan)施6鋪(pu)作3抄(chao)斗(dou)拱,玲攏精巧,四(si)壁作間(jian)(jian)隔(ge)用,原為方格門窗,靈巧通透(tou)。整座后(hou)殿(dian)具有(you)廣(guang)東明(ming)(ming)代古建筑(zhu)的(de)特色,也是(shi)廣(guang)州現存完整的(de)明(ming)(ming)代建筑(zhu)。
“五(wu)(wu)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)觀”解放前(qian)在(zai)惠福西路內街(jie),是廣(guang)(guang)(guang)州(zhou)建城(cheng)2000年的歷史標志,傳說遠(yuan)古年代有五(wu)(wu)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)人騎(qi)著五(wu)(wu)色(se)羊,五(wu)(wu)羊銜著谷(gu)(gu)穗降臨廣(guang)(guang)(guang)州(zhou)海珠廣(guang)(guang)(guang)場原(yuan)五(wu)(wu)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)門電廠(chang)附(fu)近(jin)(電廠(chang)原(yuan)址是五(wu)(wu)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)街(jie))。五(wu)(wu)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)喜降臨,令廣(guang)(guang)(guang)州(zhou)風調雨(yu)順,五(wu)(wu)谷(gu)(gu)豐登,國泰民安。為(wei)(wei)紀念五(wu)(wu)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)福祉,稱廣(guang)(guang)(guang)州(zhou)為(wei)(wei)“羊城(cheng)”。
“五仙(xian)觀”在公(gong)元265年兩(liang)晉時(shi),是珠江的(de)“坡山古渡頭” 江面(mian)有1500米,如今滄海(hai)變(bian)桑田,明代曾以“穗石洞天”列入羊城八景。清末民初廣(guang)州拆城墻擴馬(ma)路,“五仙(xian)觀”是羊城福祉(zhi),命名“惠福路”,2000年開始“五仙(xian)觀”周邊近萬平方米民居(ju)被清拆,2004年五仙(xian)觀還原本來面(mian)目。
惠福西(xi)路靠近(jin)解(jie)放路一段是聞名省(sheng)、港、澳燈籠街。紙扎店(dian)林立,制作燈色(se)、人(ren)物、動(dong)物、古(gu)屋惟妙惟肖,又是搭牌樓(lou)藝(yi)人(ren)(棚工)云(yun)集地方。解(jie)放后,因(yin)破除迷信,燈籠街消失,藝(yi)人(ren)轉業。
據越秀區政府規(gui)劃,日后五仙景區以五仙觀和嶺(ling)南第一樓(lou)為(wei)中心(xin),結合廣場建(jian)設和周邊環境的(de)(de)(de)整治,開(kai)展民(min)間(jian)曲藝演出,風俗展示。規(gui)劃還擬打造三(san)(san)處民(min)居景區:甜水(shui)巷(xiang)、金(jin)(jin)城巷(xiang)、怡樂里,將通(tong)過(guo)成片的(de)(de)(de)特(te)色(se)建(jian)筑群的(de)(de)(de)整治和開(kai)發,展現(xian)地(di)方(fang)傳統(tong)建(jian)筑群體的(de)(de)(de)獨特(te)風情。甜水(shui)巷(xiang)內多(duo)為(wei)廣州傳統(tong)的(de)(de)(de)竹筒屋,內通(tong)風、采(cai)光、排水(shui)主要靠天井(jing),從(cong)前至后,以天井(jing)隔成多(duo)個房間(jian),內多(duo)建(jian)閣樓(lou);金(jin)(jin)城巷(xiang)的(de)(de)(de)西式(shi)民(min)居,是20世紀20-30年(nian)代有(you)西洋(yang)建(jian)筑風格的(de)(de)(de)二三(san)(san)層(ceng)建(jian)筑,材料是近代盛行的(de)(de)(de)紅磚為(wei)主的(de)(de)(de)樓(lou)房;怡樂里的(de)(de)(de)建(jian)筑多(duo)是西洋(yang)建(jian)筑古(gu)典(dian)風格,也(ye)有(you)部分采(cai)用中國(guo)傳統(tong)形式(shi)的(de)(de)(de)二三(san)(san)層(ceng)樓(lou)房,前有(you)庭園。
后殿面闊三(san)間12.4米(mi)、進深三(san)間10米(mi)、高8米(mi),綠琉(liu)(liu)璃(li)瓦重檐歇山頂,脊飾為琉(liu)(liu)璃(li)龍紋和琉(liu)(liu)璃(li)鰲魚寶珠。內槽為八架椽(chuan)(chuan),施(shi)(shi)六(liu)鋪作三(san)抄(chao)斗(dou)拱(gong),外檐施(shi)(shi)乳(ru)栿出(chu)兩跳(tiao)插拱(gong)承(cheng)托(tuo)挑檐桁,梭(suo)形(xing)柱,有升起、側腳,平(ping)梁、四椽(chuan)(chuan)栿造(zao)成月梁,駝峰(feng)、叉(cha)手、托(tuo)腳等(deng)風格簡(jian)(jian)潔,保留(liu)了明(ming)代(dai)早(zao)期的(de)建(jian)筑手法。脊榑底部有“時大明(ming)嘉靖十六(liu)年龍集丁(ding)酉十一(yi)月二十一(yi)日丙申吉旦建(jian)”等(deng)字。斗(dou)拱(gong)用材略細(xi),材高18厘米(mi)、厚(hou)8厘米(mi),斗(dou)欹有幽頁,裝修簡(jian)(jian)樸(pu);殿立面造(zao)型(xing)比例適度,既保留(liu)了明(ming)代(dai)早(zao)期建(jian)筑風格,又具(ju)有地方(fang)特色,是(shi)廣州市保存較(jiao)好的(de)明(ming)代(dai)木構架建(jian)筑。
后殿東(dong)側(ce)的(de)(de)原生紅砂(sha)巖石上,有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)腳印狀(zhuang)凹穴,旁(pang)有(you)(you)“仙(xian)(xian)人(ren)拇(mu)跡”石匾。這(zhe)是遠(yuan)古(gu)(gu)時(shi)代珠江(jiang)洪水(shui)期的(de)(de)流水(shui)沖蝕痕跡,民間傳說(shuo)作仙(xian)(xian)人(ren)留下的(de)(de)腳印。晉代這(zhe)里有(you)(you)“坡(po)山古(gu)(gu)渡”之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)稱。明、清(qing)兩代五仙(xian)(xian)觀先后以“穗石洞(dong)天”和“五仙(xian)(xian)霞洞(dong)”列為羊城(cheng)(cheng)八景(jing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)一(yi)(yi)。1989年(nian)6月廣東(dong)省政府公布為省級文物(wu)保護單位(wei)。五仙(xian)(xian)觀內(nei)現保存有(you)(you)宋至(zhi)清(qing)的(de)(de)碑刻(ke)14方及石麒麟1對后還有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)座(zuo)樓(lou)(lou)—嶺南第(di)(di)一(yi)(yi)樓(lou)(lou),這(zhe)是一(yi)(yi)座(zuo)城(cheng)(cheng)樓(lou)(lou)式的(de)(de)古(gu)(gu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)物(wu)。明洪武七年(nian)(1374年(nian))行省參政知事汪廣洋(yang)建(jian)(jian)(jian)造此(ci)(ci)樓(lou)(lou),它比鎮海樓(lou)(lou)還要早7年(nian)建(jian)(jian)(jian)造。其樓(lou)(lou)基用紅砂(sha)石砌筑(zhu),樓(lou)(lou)高7米(mi),中通往來,作城(cheng)(cheng)門狀(zhuang),上建(jian)(jian)(jian)棟(dong)宇巨(ju)檐,構成一(yi)(yi)座(zuo)軒(xuan)敞的(de)(de)樓(lou)(lou)臺,顯得莊嚴雄偉、樸素(su)大方。此(ci)(ci)樓(lou)(lou)與五層樓(lou)(lou)堪稱為明代建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)的(de)(de)“雙璧”。 嶺南第(di)(di)一(yi)(yi)樓(lou)(lou)建(jian)(jian)(jian)成后的(de)(de)第(di)(di)四(si)年(nian),還鑄成一(yi)(yi)口(kou)大鐘(zhong),懸掛樓(lou)(lou)上。大鐘(zhong)高3米(mi)多(duo),口(kou)徑2米(mi)多(duo),厚3寸,重(zhong)5噸,是廣東(dong)大的(de)(de)鐵(tie)鐘(zhong)。這(zhe)口(kou)大鐘(zhong)撞(zhuang)擊(ji)起來,聲音很響,“扣(kou)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)聲聞十(shi)里”。這(zhe)大鐘(zhong)是作為遇火警(jing)等(deng)非常事故時(shi)召(zhao)人(ren)救火用的(de)(de),無事禁(jin)止撞(zhuang)擊(ji);又有(you)(you)此(ci)(ci)鐘(zhong)敲響,城(cheng)(cheng)中便瘟疫大作之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)說(shuo)—故名“禁(jin)鐘(zhong)”。該樓(lou)(lou)也被(bei)稱之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)為禁(jin)鐘(zhong)樓(lou)(lou)。禁(jin)鐘(zhong)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)重(zhong),令(ling)人(ren)驚(jing)異。然更(geng)令(ling)人(ren)驚(jing)異的(de)(de)卻是此(ci)(ci)鐘(zhong)只用一(yi)(yi)根葛藤懸掛。
傳說(shuo)這藤(teng)與(yu)呂洞賓有(you)關:
古代(dai)有一大官乘轎(jiao)路(lu)過此地時(shi),扎(zha)轎(jiao)杠的繩索(suo)斷了,便(bian)吩咐轎(jiao)夫(fu)在(zai)半時(shi)辰內(nei)找到(dao)(dao)繩子(zi)扎(zha)好轎(jiao)杠。轎(jiao)夫(fu)正(zheng)焦急找著(zhu),忽見(jian)(jian)路(lu)旁走來一位(wei)老人(ren)。老人(ren)指著(zhu)山巖上的一條葛藤(teng)說:“可用那藤(teng)。”轎(jiao)夫(fu)見(jian)(jian)藤(teng)又細又短(duan),以為老人(ren)要耍(shua)弄(nong)他(ta)。突然老人(ren)不見(jian)(jian)了,轎(jiao)夫(fu)才(cai)知(zhi)道遇著(zhu)仙(xian)人(ren),連(lian)忙(mang)扯下葛藤(teng)去扎(zha)轎(jiao)。也真奇(qi)怪,葛藤(teng)越扎(zha)越長,直到(dao)(dao)轎(jiao)杠扎(zha)得結(jie)結(jie)實實才(cai)用完(wan)。到(dao)(dao)了驛站,轎(jiao)夫(fu)仔細察看(kan),見(jian)(jian)藤(teng)尾刻有“呂洞(dong)賓”三個字,這才(cai)醒悟到(dao)(dao)那是呂洞(dong)賓所賜的仙(xian)藤(teng)。
后來坡(po)山建(jian)五仙(xian)觀(guan)、蓋大鐘(zhong)樓,要找繩(sheng)索(suo)吊大鐘(zhong)。轎夫便把仙(xian)藤(teng)獻出,細小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)葛藤(teng)把數千公斤的(de)(de)(de)銅鐘(zhong)吊得穩(wen)穩(wen)當當的(de)(de)(de)。
故事(shi)終歸是故事(shi),傳說也不一定(ding)曾發生過,可一根葛(ge)藤(teng)吊(diao)起那沉重的大鐘是不爭的事(shi)實。
再說那口大(da)銅鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)體鑄銘篆文(wen),是洪武十一(yi)年(nian)(1378年(nian))所(suo)鑄。鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)口之下正對(dui)著樓(lou)(lou)(lou)基中心(xin)的方形大(da)井口,能產生共鳴(ming)。一(yi)敲鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),聲(sheng)自券形門洞傳(chuan)出,鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)鳴(ming)遠播,聲(sheng)聞十里。傳(chuan)說此鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)只有遇著火警之類(lei)災難時才撞(zhuang)擊鳴(ming)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),無事禁止撞(zhuang)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),故又(you)稱(cheng)之為“禁鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)”,該樓(lou)(lou)(lou)又(you)叫(jiao)做(zuo)“禁鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)樓(lou)(lou)(lou)”。
五仙觀牌(pai)(pai)坊在六十(shi)年(nian)代(dai)被毀,2005年(nian)開始計劃(hua)原(yuan)址復原(yuan)牌(pai)(pai)坊,復原(yuan)設(she)計由華(hua)南(nan)理工(gong)大學(xue)程建軍教授(shou)和石(shi)拓(tuo)承擔。復原(yuan)采用了原(yuan)有(you)臺(tai)基、夾桿石(shi)、柱(zhu)礎等構件。復原(yuan)牌(pai)(pai)坊完全按照傳統(tong)樣式,面闊三間(jian)(jian),進(jin)深二間(jian)(jian),用十(shi)二柱(zhu),有(you)側角、升起。心間(jian)(jian)為(wei)重檐(yan),次間(jian)(jian)為(wei)單檐(yan),均為(wei)廡殿式,屋脊為(wei)龍(long)舟脊,均飾卷草紋,并以廣府典(dian)型的水浪(lang)造型收尾,正(zheng)脊上飾寶珠、鰲(ao)魚(yu)。
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