肇(zhao)慶古城(cheng)墻(qiang)蜿蜒2800多米,巍然屹(yi)立,位(wei)于城(cheng)墻(qiang)西北段最高處的(de)(de)披云樓高高聳(song)立。青磚壘成的(de)(de)斑駁城(cheng)墻(qiang)和鉆出(chu)墻(qiang)縫(feng)的(de)(de)頑(wan)強小草,向人們訴說(shuo)著(zhu)千年(nian)的(de)(de)歷史滄桑和這個國家級歷史文(wen)化名城(cheng)的(de)(de)變遷。
宋代的(de)肇慶古城(cheng)墻,其城(cheng)墻一共(gong)開有(you)四門(men):東曰宋崇、西曰鎮西、南曰端溪、北曰朝天。因此在城(cheng)墻的(de)周(zhou)邊(bian)有(you)四個名(ming)稱分別為(wei)“東門(men)”“西門(men)”“南門(men)”“北門(men)”的(de)公共(gong)汽(qi)車站。
城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)之上各(ge)有城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓1座,四門(men)(men)之外(wai)有甕城(cheng)(cheng),城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)四角(jiao)(jiao)各(ge)有角(jiao)(jiao)樓1座,城(cheng)(cheng)外(wai)還有護城(cheng)(cheng)河。明成化(hua)五(wu)年(1469年),知府李璲增厚了部分城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),并親自題(ti)書(shu)四門(men)(men)石匾額,改(gai)東(dong)門(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)慶云、西門(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)景星、南門(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)南薰、北門(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)朝天。
現古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)周長2801.2米(mi),其中(zhong)東段(duan)403.4米(mi)、西段(duan)376.9米(mi)、南(nan)(nan)段(duan)992.3米(mi)、北段(duan)1028.6米(mi)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)寬8米(mi)至18米(mi),兩邊砌磚(zhuan),中(zhong)間(jian)填土,磚(zhuan)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)厚60厘米(mi)至120厘米(mi)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)外(wai)圍有28個突出的敵臺(tai)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)磚(zhuan)有9種不(bu)同的規格(ge),是(shi)歷史上多次(ci)(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)葺(qi)的見證。當時為(wei)御敵兵,筑(zhu)土墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang),規模“僅容廨(xie)宇”。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)歷代有擴(kuo)大(da)和修(xiu)(xiu)整。宋政(zheng)和三年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1113年(nian)(nian)(nian)),知(zhi)州鄭敦義將(jiang)土城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)擴(kuo)大(da),筑(zhu)為(wei)磚(zhuan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),開(kai)4門(men)(men)(men)(men),東曰(yue)(yue)宋崇(chong),西曰(yue)(yue)鎮南(nan)(nan),南(nan)(nan)曰(yue)(yue)端溪,北曰(yue)(yue)朝(chao)天(tian)(tian)。4門(men)(men)(men)(men)之外(wai)各有半月形(xing)子城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),稱月城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。月城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)各開(kai)一門(men)(men)(men)(men),稱廓門(men)(men)(men)(men),月城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之上各有小樓(lou)一座。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)四角亦各有角樓(lou)一座,北城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)西段(duan)有披(pi)云樓(lou),南(nan)(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)東段(duan)有文(wen)昌閣。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上有空心炮臺(tai)6座,小炮臺(tai)17座,兵房13間(jian),城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)外(wai)有濠塹,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)有內(nei)濠。明洪武元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1368年(nian)(nian)(nian)),由江西行(xing)省郎中(zhong)攝府事黃德明主持了首次(ci)(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)葺(qi)。明成化年(nian)(nian)(nian)間(jian),又先后6次(ci)(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)葺(qi),增(zeng)加了串樓(lou)810間(jian),加厚了城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)厚度,并(bing)刻(ke)了四門(men)(men)(men)(men)石匾額,東門(men)(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)慶(qing)云、西門(men)(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)景星、南(nan)(nan)門(men)(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)南(nan)(nan)薰(xun)、北門(men)(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)朝(chao)天(tian)(tian)。明清(qing)以來,先后10多次(ci)(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)整,其中(zhong)規模較(jiao)大(da)的有:崇(chong)禎十四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1614年(nian)(nian)(nian)),肇(zhao)慶(qing)府總(zong)督張鏡(jing)心將(jiang)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)體增(zeng)高3.5尺,改建(jian)4門(men)(men)(men)(men)月城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。清(qing)順(shun)治(zhi)八年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1651年(nian)(nian)(nian)),總(zong)兵許(xu)爾顯,知(zhi)府張之璧增(zeng)建(jian)炮臺(tai)6座,窩鋪148間(jian),水城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)炮臺(tai)2所,拆除(chu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)附近的房屋,增(zeng)修(xiu)(xiu)樓(lou)堞等(deng)。
肇慶古(gu)(gu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)始建于宋皇佑年(nian)(nian)中(1053年(nian)(nian))。雖經(jing)過953年(nian)(nian)的(de)風(feng)風(feng)雨雨,但古(gu)(gu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)位置與周長始終未變。像(xiang)肇慶古(gu)(gu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)這(zhe)樣主(zhu)體(ti)和(he)城(cheng)周基本完整的(de)宋代(dai)磚城(cheng)墻(qiang),是(shi)廣東僅(jin)有(you),全國(guo)極少見的(de)。
史載廣西(xi)壯族首(shou)(shou)領(ling)儂智(zhi)高反(fan)宋(song),兵(bing)鋒直逼(bi)端(duan)州(zhou),端(duan)州(zhou)太守丁寶臣因(yin)無(wu)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)防(fang)守,棄城(cheng)(cheng)逃跑,被朝廷撤(che)職(zhi)。狄青(qing)平定儂智(zhi)高后(1053年(nian)(nian)(nian)),肇慶始筑(zhu)土城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)。宋(song)政和三年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1113年(nian)(nian)(nian))郡守鄭敦義將土城(cheng)(cheng)擴大,筑(zhu)為磚(zhuan)城(cheng)(cheng),開四(si)門(men):東(dong)曰"宋(song)崇(chong)",西(xi)曰"鎮西(xi)",南(nan)曰"端(duan)溪",北曰"朝天(tian)"。宋(song)城(cheng)(cheng)建(jian)成之(zhi)(zhi)后,經歷250多年(nian)(nian)(nian),到明洪武元年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1368年(nian)(nian)(nian))才作(zuo)首(shou)(shou)次(ci)修(xiu)葺(qi)(qi)。明成化元年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1465年(nian)(nian)(nian))至清同(tong)治(zhi)十一年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)407年(nian)(nian)(nian)間,先后修(xiu)葺(qi)(qi)了(le)20次(ci),其(qi)中成化十六年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1480年(nian)(nian)(nian))知府李(li)在披云樓(lou)護城(cheng)(cheng)濠的(de)近濠處增(zeng)建(jian)了(le)樓(lou)下磚(zhuan)城(cheng)(cheng)堵,加大了(le)部分城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)的(de)厚(hou)度。并且刻了(le)四(si)門(men)的(de)石匾額,改東(dong)門(men)為"慶云",西(xi)門(men)為"景星",南(nan)門(men)為"南(nan)薰",北門(men)仍為"朝天(tian)"。崇(chong)禎十四(si)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1641年(nian)(nian)(nian))肇慶府總督張鏡心主持,對古城(cheng)(cheng)作(zuo)了(le)更大規模的(de)修(xiu)葺(qi)(qi),把(ba)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)增(zeng)高了(le)3尺5寸,使城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)之(zhi)(zhi)高度增(zeng)至2丈5尺5寸。同(tong)時,改建(jian)了(le)四(si)門(men)的(de)月城(cheng)(cheng),增(zeng)筑(zhu)了(le)城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)馬路。清代,城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)多次(ci)在戰火中損毀,為加強(qiang)城(cheng)(cheng)池(chi)的(de)防(fang)衛(wei)。清順治(zhi)八年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1651年(nian)(nian)(nian))總兵(bing)許爾顯(xian)、知府張之(zhi)(zhi)璧在城(cheng)(cheng)上增(zeng)建(jian)炮臺(tai)6座、窩(wo)鋪148間、水城(cheng)(cheng)炮臺(tai)2所,拆除離城(cheng)(cheng)4尺以內的(de)房(fang)屋,增(zeng)置修(xiu)葺(qi)(qi)樓(lou)堞(die)。此后直至民國初年(nian)(nian)(nian),城(cheng)(cheng)池(chi)保持完好(hao)。
1915年(nian)(nian),乙卯(mao)洪災,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)抵(di)御了洪災,使(shi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內仍安然(ran)無恙。但城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)因此(ci)受到損(sun)害。1916年(nian)(nian),肇陽羅鎮(zhen)守(shou)使(shi)李耀漢即撥款修葺城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),浚(jun)治(zhi)東門外的濠道。從1924年(nian)(nian)至1926年(nian)(nian),將城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)上的城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門樓、雉角樓、文昌閣(ge)、月城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)炮(pao)臺,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)除披云樓段(duan)外全(quan)部拆低了約(yue)7市尺,并填塞城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門,修成斜坡以利交通。
宋(song)城內(nei)(nei)歷史上曾有過(guo)端州府(fu)衙、兩(liang)廣總督府(fu)、端溪書(shu)院、校(xiao)場(chang)、廣濟倉和商業街市等。按照我市名城保(bao)(bao)護規(gui)劃(hua)(hua)和文化建設規(gui)劃(hua)(hua),對古城墻將分期進(jin)行整體恢復和保(bao)(bao)護。與此同時(shi),對宋(song)城內(nei)(nei)和周邊地區(qu),將加大整治力(li)度,保(bao)(bao)護好(hao)并逐步恢復有關文物遺址(zhi)。
肇慶"宋(song)(song)文化"景點(dian)之(zhi)肇慶古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),端州區的古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),始建于宋(song)(song)政和(he)三年(1113年),周長2800多(duo)米,高(gao)6.5一(yi)10米,寬8.5一(yi)18米。城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)外皮砌磚(zhuan),內為夯土。宋(song)(song)代(dai)的城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)開四門(men):東曰(yue)宋(song)(song)崇(chong)、西曰(yue)鎮(zhen)南(nan)、南(nan)曰(yue)端溪、北曰(yue)朝(chao)天。城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)之(zhi)上各有城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)樓1座,四門(men)之(zhi)外有甕城(cheng)(cheng),城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)四角各有角樓1座,城(cheng)(cheng)外還有護城(cheng)(cheng)河(he)。明清(qing)兩代(dai)歷經近20次修聾(long)。
肇慶古城墻始于(yu)宋朝(chao)建成,并投(tou)入軍事使用,在明朝(chao)、清朝(chao)兩代歷經近20次修聾(long)。期間雷雹洪災,風吹雨打,然而主體(ti)保持(chi)完好。
中華民國十(shi)三(san)年至(zhi)十(shi)五年(1924-1926年),城墻(qiang)上的(de)城門樓(lou)、角樓(lou)、雉堞(die)、甕城被全部拆毀,用以(yi)填塞城
門和(he)護城河以利交通,使城墻遭到(dao)極(ji)大的破壞(huai)。
1924年(nian)-1926年(nian),城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)上(shang)的城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)樓、角樓、雉(zhi)堞、甕(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)被全(quan)部拆毀,用以填塞城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)和護城(cheng)(cheng)河以利交通,使城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)遭到極大的破(po)壞。
1987年以后(hou),肇慶(qing)市(shi)政府(fu)為保護名城(cheng)的(de)標(biao)志性(xing)建(jian)筑(zhu),曾多次(ci)撥專款(kuan)搶修北(bei)段城(cheng)墻,恢(hui)復了(le)(le)"朝天門"、墩(dun)臺(tai)和雉堞,并重建(jian)了(le)(le)披云(yun)樓,使肇慶(qing)古城(cheng)墻得以重現。但到今天,宋城(cheng)墻除了(le)(le)北(bei)側一段,四(si)周仍(reng)處在(zai)后(hou)世建(jian)筑(zhu)的(de)包圍(wei)之(zhi)中。如何(he)使城(cheng)墻擺脫包圍(wei),恢(hui)復本來面(mian)目。肇慶(qing)市(shi)有關部門在(zai)開通北(bei)側宋城(cheng)一路以后(hou),又投入巨資建(jian)設宋城(cheng)二路,使之(zhi)與宋城(cheng)一路連接,將(jiang)北(bei)側首先(xian)展(zhan)現給(gei)世人。
1987年至于1996年間(jian),肇(zhao)慶(qing)市(shi)人民政府為保護名城(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)標志性建筑,發展旅游事業,曾多次撥專款(kuan)搶修北段城(cheng)墻,本著“整舊(jiu)如舊(jiu)”、“恢(hui)復(fu)原(yuan)貌”的(de)(de)(de)修繕原(yuan)則,恢(hui)復(fu)“朝(chao)天門”、墩臺(tai)和雉堞,并重(zhong)建了披云(yun)樓,使(shi)肇(zhao)慶(qing)古(gu)城(cheng)墻得(de)以重(zhong)現,肇(zhao)慶(qing)國(guo)家歷史文化名城(cheng)得(de)以再度輝煌。其中歷史價值較高的(de)(de)(de)是宋城(cheng)路一(yi)帶(dai)城(cheng)墻的(de)(de)(de)北段,在其內(nei)部為廣東肇(zhao)慶(qing)中學初中部和肇(zhao)慶(qing)市(shi)第一(yi)人民醫院舊(jiu)址。
解放后,人民政(zheng)府依法(fa)保護和(he)分期維(wei)修城(cheng)墻,逐步整(zheng)治周邊環(huan)境(jing),使其雄姿再現(xian)。它是(shi)歷史(shi)文(wen)化名城(cheng)肇慶較具標(biao)志性的建筑,1989年被(bei)廣東省(sheng)人民政(zheng)府公布(bu)為省(sheng)重(zhong)(zhong)點文(wen)物(wu)保護單(dan)位(wei),2001年被(bei)國(guo)務院公布(bu)為全國(guo)重(zhong)(zhong)點文(wen)物(wu)保護單(dan)位(wei)。