始(shi)建(jian)于元代(dai),明(ming)代(dai)重(zhong)建(jian)。該殿頗具元代(dai)建(jian)筑的典型減柱造特色,東西(xi)長七間,南北寬四間,廡殿頂琉(liu)璃(li)瓦剪(jian)邊(bian),設三(san)跺單翹單昂斗(dou)拱。清康熙年間(1662-1722年),大道觀東曾(ceng)有池塘,養魚栽荷。州人(ren)每逢中秋(qiu)佳節(jie)攜酒(jiu)前往賞月,因景取名“西(xi)溪玩(wan)月”,被列為定州八景之一。殿內四壁(bi)現存明(ming)代(dai)萬歷年間(1573-1620年)瀝粉貼金帝(di)王出巡圖。畫(hua)面人(ren)物栩栩如生(sheng),畫(hua)工可與五岳之一的北岳廟壁(bi)畫(hua)媲美。全(quan)國(guo)重(zhong)點文物保護單位。
大道(dao)觀原為中(zhong)軸式群體建筑,由南向(xiang)北依次為大照(zhao)壁、關帝(di)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、二神殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、六神殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、玉皇殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、老君殿(dian)(dian)(dian)五座大殿(dian)(dian)(dian),現僅存玉皇殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。玉皇殿(dian)(dian)(dian)平(ping)面為長方形,東西面闊(kuo)七間(jian),南北進(jin)深四(si)間(jian),采用(yong)了(le)元代常用(yong)的減柱(zhu)造(zao),廡殿(dian)(dian)(dian)頂,琉(liu)璃瓦剪邊,設三踩,單(dan)翹單(dan)昂斗拱。昂嘴造(zao)型(xing)似(si)為明清中(zhong)葉時期造(zao)型(xing),但昂嘴根部(bu)與宋式做法相合,反映該大殿(dian)(dian)(dian)可(ke)能(neng)經歷了(le)明清時的大修(xiu)。中(zhong)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內四(si)壁均(jun)繪有瀝粉貼金眾(zhong)神朝拜(bai)圖和玉皇大帝(di)天(tian)上宮殿(dian)(dian)(dian)建筑,畫面造(zao)型(xing)優(you)美,人物線條流暢,各(ge)部(bu)大臣及雷(lei)神、雨神等造(zao)型(xing)生動,各(ge)具特(te)色。
2006年大道觀玉(yu)皇殿作為明代的(de)古建筑,被(bei)國務院列入第六批全(quan)國重(zhong)點文物保(bao)護單位。