玉虛宮位于武當山北麓(lu),坐落在5平方公里的盆地之(zhi)上,從東天門(men)(men)、北天門(men)(men)的位置看,武當山城(cheng)區都是玉虛宮的范圍,眾山周護,劍河(he)環繞,地勢開闊,目前是武當山旅游集散(san)地。
玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)曾(ceng)為張三(san)豐修煉(lian)之地。張三(san)豐曾(ceng)預言“武當異日必(bi)大(da)興”。果然,明永(yong)樂(le)十一(yi)年(nian)(1413)永(yong)樂(le)皇帝敕建玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong),嘉靖三(san)十一(yi)年(nian)(1552)重建。明代著名文學(xue)家王世貞描述(shu)其曰“太和絕頂化城(cheng)似(si),玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)仿佛秦阿房”,可見當時規模宏大(da)。
玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)是武(wu)當山(shan)規模最大(da)的一宮(gong)(gong)(gong),明(ming)(ming)代(dai),武(wu)當道教常在(zai)這里舉辦規模宏大(da)宏大(da)、氣(qi)氛莊嚴的齋(zhai)醮活動。在(zai)明(ming)(ming)永樂二十(shi)(shi)二年(1424)秋七(qi)(qi)月,明(ming)(ming)成祖朱棣以武(wu)當山(shan)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)觀告成,命(ming)正一嗣教真(zhen)人(ren)(ren)、第四十(shi)(shi)四代(dai)天師張(zhang)宇清(qing),玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)提點任自垣(yuan)等(deng)在(zai)玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)“金箓報恩(en)延禧普渡羅(luo)天大(da)醮”七(qi)(qi)晝夜,登壇法(fa)眾、登壇執事(shi)官員達五(wu)(wu)十(shi)(shi)多(duo)人(ren)(ren);明(ming)(ming)弘治十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)年(1502)十(shi)(shi)二月,明(ming)(ming)孝宗在(zai)玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)“吉祥好事(shi)”齋(zhai)醮,長達49晝夜,花(hua)費白銀3000多(duo)兩。可以想象玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)當時那張(zhang)燈結彩、鼓樂聲聲、人(ren)(ren)頭攢動、熱鬧非凡的繁榮場面。明(ming)(ming)天啟七(qi)(qi)年,即(ji)1627年,玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)發(fa)生了毀滅性火(huo)災,其軸線主要建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑均遭火(huo)劫。百年后,即(ji)清(qing)乾(qian)隆十(shi)(shi)年,玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)再次遭到大(da)火(huo),其附(fu)屬建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑一并化為灰燼。1935年夏,山(shan)洪暴發(fa),數十(shi)(shi)萬方(fang)沙泥直泄玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong),大(da)片(pian)(pian)房(fang)屋被吞沒(mei),號(hao)稱南方(fang)“故宮(gong)(gong)(gong)”的玉(yu)(yu)虛(xu)(xu)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)自此成一片(pian)(pian)殘垣(yuan)斷(duan)壁(bi)……
玉虛(xu)宮(gong)大殿(dian)修(xiu)復工程于2007年5月啟動,經過5年的保護性修(xiu)復,玉虛(xu)宮(gong)宮(gong)墻、御碑亭、山(shan)門、龍虎殿(dian)、玉虛(xu)殿(dian)、玉帶河、宮(gong)內石(shi)板地面等工程已(yi)經完工。該修(xiu)復項目完全按照(zhao)修(xiu)舊如舊的辦法(fa),嚴格遵循(xun)文物維修(xiu)的方(fang)式和(he)原則,由清(qing)華大學古建(jian)筑研究(jiu)院設(she)計。2012年9月底,武(wu)當山(shan)玉虛(xu)宮(gong)大殿(dian)修(xiu)復落成典禮在玉虛(xu)宮(gong)隆重舉行,2012年10月16日,武(wu)當山(shan)大興六百年羅天(tian)大醮在這(zhe)里(li)舉行。
玉(yu)虛宮(gong)(gong)(gong)整個建筑采(cai)取宮(gong)(gong)(gong)廷建筑規制,以嚴謹的中軸(zhou)線(xian)對稱布局,宮(gong)(gong)(gong)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)重(zhong)重(zhong),飛金(jin)流碧(bi),富(fu)麗堂皇,周護宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang),造成帝宮(gong)(gong)(gong)威武、莊嚴肅穆的氣勢。原(yuan)為(wei)五進(jin)三(san)路(lu)院落,前后崇臺疊(die)砌,規制謹嚴;左右院落重(zhong)重(zhong),樓(lou)臺毗(pi)連;其間(jian)玉(yu)帶河(he)穿插縈回;四(si)周宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang)高(gao)聳渾厚(hou),狀如月闌繞仙闕。現存宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang)、宮(gong)(gong)(gong)門、父(fu)母(mu)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)及四(si)座碑亭。宮(gong)(gong)(gong)門為(wei)石(shi)雕須(xu)彌座,拱券三(san)孔,磚(zhuan)木結構(gou),兩側建八字墻(qiang),上(shang)嵌(qian)琉璃瓊花(hua)(hua)圖案,下為(wei)琉璃瓊花(hua)(hua)和石(shi)雕須(xu)彌座。門前是石(shi)雕飾(shi)欄臺階,朱(zhu)碧(bi)交(jiao)輝。進(jin)入(ru)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)門,十分開闊,為(wei)約2.5萬平方米的大(da)院落,中間(jian)青石(shi)鋪路(lu)。正(zheng)中間(jian)的青石(shi)尺寸較大(da),規格整齊(qi),兩邊的青石(shi)則(ze)差一些,說明(ming)當(dang)時等級森嚴。穿過曲折蜿蜒的玉(yu)帶河(he),層(ceng)層(ceng)高(gao)臺之上(shang)分別為(wei)龍虎殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、朝拜(bai)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、正(zheng)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)和父(fu)母(mu)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。
宮(gong)內外有四座(zuo)碑(bei)(bei)(bei)亭(ting),巍(wei)然對峙,亭(ting)內置石雕赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)馱御碑(bei)(bei)(bei),大(da)小(xiao)不(bu)一。最大(da)赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)通長6.06米(mi)(mi),高(gao)2.85米(mi)(mi),寬2.35米(mi)(mi),御碑(bei)(bei)(bei)高(gao)6米(mi)(mi),寬2.35米(mi)(mi),通高(gao)9.03米(mi)(mi),重達百余噸。四座(zuo)赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)馱御碑(bei)(bei)(bei)上分(fen)別刻著明(ming)成(cheng)祖《下大(da)岳太(tai)和山(shan)(shan)(shan)道士(shi)》、《御制大(da)岳太(tai)和山(shan)(shan)(shan)道宮(gong)》碑(bei)(bei)(bei)文和明(ming)世宗《御制重修大(da)岳太(tai)和山(shan)(shan)(shan)玄殿紀(ji)成(cheng)》、《重修宮(gong)觀》碑(bei)(bei)(bei)文。碑(bei)(bei)(bei)文書體(ti)雋(jun)永圓(yuan)潤,碑(bei)(bei)(bei)額浮雕蟠龍(long),矯健(jian)騰舞。赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)馱御碑(bei)(bei)(bei),俗(su)稱(cheng)“龜(gui)馱碑(bei)(bei)(bei)”,其(qi)實赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)不(bu)叫(jiao)“龜(gui)”,而是“赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)”或“負屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)”,為(wei)古代神話(hua)“龍(long)生九子不(bu)成(cheng)龍(long)”中(zhong)的(de)(de)第八子,善負重,皇帝以之作碑(bei)(bei)(bei)趺,象(xiang)征江山(shan)(shan)(shan)穩固。這幾(ji)座(zuo)赑(bi)屃(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)雕刻精細(xi),造(zao)型逼真,其(qi)甲殼、肌肉有明(ming)顯不(bu)同的(de)(de)質感(gan),腿腳(jiao)有用勁(jing)負重之神態,尾卷一盤,呈使勁(jing)承受高(gao)大(da)的(de)(de)御碑(bei)(bei)(bei)之狀(zhuang),形(xing)體(ti)完美(mei),是國內外罕見的(de)(de)石雕藝術品,極為(wei)珍貴。
玉(yu)虛宮還(huan)有兩座別具一格的琉璃(li)八字(zi)影壁墻,一處建在山門兩側,一處建在龍虎殿兩側,分別由石臺基、雙(shuang)層琉璃(li)磚(zhuan)(zhuan)雕(diao)須彌座、琉璃(li)墻身、七層琉璃(li)帶飛椽(chuan)冰盤檐組成。墻身正面飾以琉璃(li)岔角、圓光,雕(diao)刻牡(mu)丹、卷草(cao)圖案(an)。雖經500余(yu)年風雨(yu)削蝕,仍碧綠丹青,從實物中不(bu)難窺出明代琉璃(li)磚(zhuan)(zhuan)雕(diao)藝術的登(deng)峰造極(ji)。
明(ming)永(yong)樂十(shi)(shi)一年(nian)(1413年(nian))敕建(jian)(jian)。明(ming)永(yong)樂十(shi)(shi)年(nian),明(ming)成祖朱(zhu)(zhu)棣下(xia)詔“北建(jian)(jian)故宮(gong)(gong),南修武當(dang)”,隨命隆平(ping)(ping)侯張信、駙馬都尉(wei)沐(mu)昕、工(gong)部侍郎郭琎(三公)統率30萬軍(jun)民進駐(zhu)武當(dang)山(shan),安營扎寨,拉開了長達(da)12年(nian)營建(jian)(jian)朱(zhu)(zhu)家皇(huang)室家廟的(de)序幕。歷時(shi)12年(nian),建(jian)(jian)成8宮(gong)(gong)、2觀、36庵堂、72巖廟等三十(shi)(shi)三組建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)群,總建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)面積達(da)160萬平(ping)(ping)方(fang)米。同時(shi),朱(zhu)(zhu)棣從立法、定編、封山(shan)、圈地、設官(guan)、鑄印、派軍(jun)隊駐(zhu)守和派丁夫供養(yang)等方(fang)面對(dui)武當(dang)山(shan)進行全面保(bao)護,并(bing)敕封為大(da)岳,使之(zhi)(zhi)成為皇(huang)家"祖宗創業棲神"之(zhi)(zhi)所。玉虛宮(gong)(gong)作為營建(jian)(jian)武當(dang)山(shan)道教宮(gong)(gong)觀建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)群的(de)大(da)本(ben)營——“三公”行轅,其建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)形制、規(gui)模皆可與故宮(gong)(gong)媲美,且取之(zhi)(zhi)真武大(da)帝“玉虛師相(xiang)”之(zhi)(zhi)美名(ming),被賜額“玄天玉虛宮(gong)(gong)”。
嘉靖(jing)三十一年(1552年),玉(yu)虛宮(gong)在原有建(jian)筑(zhu)規(gui)模上增(zeng)修擴建(jian),自此,玉(yu)虛宮(gong)占(zhan)地面積達525萬平方(fang)米,房屋大(da)小(xiao)為楹2200余間,同(tong)時期(qi)的王世貞曾以“太和絕頂化(hua)城(cheng)似(si),玉(yu)虛仿佛(fo)秦阿房。”
明末(mo)清初,部分建(jian)筑(zhu)毀(hui)于(yu)戰亂。清代,武當山(shan)失去"皇室家廟"地位,規模逐漸(jian)縮小。
明天啟七年(nian)(nian),即(ji)1627年(nian)(nian),玉(yu)虛宮發生了毀滅(mie)性火災,其主要建筑(zhu)均遭火劫。百年(nian)(nian)后,即(ji)清(qing)乾隆十年(nian)(nian),玉(yu)虛宮再次(ci)遭到大火,其附屬建筑(zhu)一并化為灰燼。
1935年夏,又遇山洪暴(bao)發(fa),數十萬方(fang)沙泥直泄玉(yu)虛宮(gong),大片房屋被吞沒,號稱南(nan)方(fang)“故宮(gong)”的(de)玉(yu)虛宮(gong)自此成一片殘垣斷壁……,現殘存建筑主要有(you)2道長1036米(mi)的(de)宮(gong)墻、兩(liang)座碑(bei)亭(ting)、里樂城的(de)五座殿基和清(qing)代(dai)重建的(de)父母殿、云堂以及(ji)東天門、西天門、北天門等遺址。
1994年,武當山(shan)古建(jian)筑群被聯合國教科(ke)文(wen)組織列為世(shi)界文(wen)化(hua)遺產。
2001年(nian),被國(guo)(guo)務(wu)院公布為第五(wu)批(pi)全國(guo)(guo)重點(dian)文物保護單位。
2007年6月,黨和(he)政府(fu)對武當山玉虛宮(gong)開展修復工程(cheng),資金投入(ru)為(wei)700萬元開工修葺。
2012年(nian)9月底,武當山玉虛(xu)宮大(da)殿修復落成(cheng)典禮(li)在玉虛(xu)宮隆重(zhong)舉行,2012年(nian)10月16日,武當山大(da)興六百年(nian)羅天大(da)醮在這里舉行。