太(tai)極宮(gong)(gong)，是隋(sui)唐(tang)(tang)長(chang)安城宮(gong)(gong)城，與大(da)明宮(gong)(gong)、興慶宮(gong)(gong)統(tong)稱三大(da)內。位于長(chang)安城中軸(zhou)線北(bei)部，始建于隋(sui)文帝開皇二年(nian)(nian)（582年(nian)(nian)），隋(sui)稱大(da)興宮(gong)(gong)，唐(tang)(tang)睿宗景云元年(nian)(nian)（710年(nian)(nian)）改稱太(tai)極宮(gong)(gong)。因其為(wei)(wei)唐(tang)(tang)帝國的正宮(gong)(gong)，故又稱“京大(da)內”，唐(tang)(tang)高宗時期修大(da)明宮(gong)(gong)后(hou)改稱太(tai)極宮(gong)(gong)為(wei)(wei)“西內”。太(tai)極宮(gong)(gong)之(zhi)(zhi)南為(wei)(wei)皇城，北(bei)倚長(chang)安北(bei)墻(qiang)(qiang)，北(bei)墻(qiang)(qiang)外為(wei)(wei)西內苑(yuan)，內苑(yuan)之(zhi)(zhi)北(bei)為(wei)(wei)禁苑(yuan)（隋(sui)大(da)興苑(yuan)），東(dong)西兩側分別是太(tai)子(zi)所居住的東(dong)宮(gong)(gong)與掖庭宮(gong)(gong)。
太極宮是都(dou)(dou)城(cheng)長安第一處(chu)大的(de)宮殿(dian)群，內(nei)有別(bie)殿(dian)、亭、觀三(san)十五所，構(gou)成都(dou)(dou)城(cheng)長安一組富麗堂皇的(de)宮殿(dian)建筑。其中分(fen)布著許多著名的(de)宮殿(dian)建筑，太極殿(dian)、兩儀殿(dian)、承慶殿(dian)、武德殿(dian)、甘露(lu)殿(dian)、凌(ling)煙閣等等。
太極宮(gong)遺(yi)址位于西(xi)安市核心區內，全為現代建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)所(suo)覆壓，尚無條件進(jin)行考古發(fa)掘。據(ju)勘測及(ji)文獻記載可知(zhi)，宮(gong)城(cheng)（包(bao)括東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)及(ji)掖庭宮(gong)）東(dong)(dong)西(xi)寬2830．3米(mi)，南(nan)北長(chang)1492．1米(mi)。宮(gong)城(cheng)城(cheng)墻(qiang)為夯土板筑(zhu)(zhu)，墻(qiang)壁高(gao)三丈五尺（合(he)10．3米(mi)），墻(qiang)基寬一般在18米(mi)左(zuo)右，只(zhi)有東(dong)(dong)城(cheng)墻(qiang)部分的寬度是(shi)14米(mi)多(duo)。
太極宮建于隋初。隋稱大興宮，唐睿宗景云元年（710年），改稱太極宮。因其為唐京的正宮，故又稱京大內。唐太極宮實際上是太極宮、東宮、掖庭宮的總稱，位于唐長安城中央的最北部。據考古實測并參考文獻記載可(ke)知(zhi)，宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)東西(xi)(xi)寬(kuan)2830．3米(mi)(mi)，南北(bei)(bei)(bei)長1492．1米(mi)(mi)。其(qi)中掖庭(ting)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)寬(kuan)。702．5米(mi)(mi)，太極宮(gong)(gong)(gong)寬(kuan)1285米(mi)(mi)，東宮(gong)(gong)(gong)寬(kuan)832．3米(mi)(mi)，是一東西(xi)(xi)長，南北(bei)(bei)(bei)短的(de)(de)(de)長方(fang)形。宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)北(bei)(bei)(bei)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)即是外郭城(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)北(bei)(bei)(bei)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)的(de)(de)(de)一部分，西(xi)(xi)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)則與今(jin)西(xi)(xi)安(an)城(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)西(xi)(xi)城(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)在(zai)同一直線上，其(qi)南段為西(xi)(xi)安(an)城(cheng)西(xi)(xi)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)的(de)(de)(de)北(bei)(bei)(bei)部所壓；南墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)則在(zai)今(jin)西(xi)(xi)安(an)城(cheng)內(nei)(nei)西(xi)(xi)五(wu)路(lu)以(yi)南80米(mi)(mi)處，今(jin)之(zhi)“西(xi)(xi)五(wu)臺”恰(qia)在(zai)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)南墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)之(zhi)上；東墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)的(de)(de)(de)位(wei)置在(zai)今(jin)西(xi)(xi)安(an)城(cheng)內(nei)(nei)革命公(gong)園的(de)(de)(de)西(xi)(xi)端，向(xiang)北(bei)(bei)(bei)經尚平(ping)路(lu)一帶(dai)。宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)南面隔橫(heng)街與皇城(cheng)相望(wang)，北(bei)(bei)(bei)面為’西(xi)(xi)內(nei)(nei)苑，東墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)外為興安(an)門街，西(xi)(xi)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)外為芳(fang)林門街，宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)中太極宮(gong)(gong)(gong)、東宮(gong)(gong)(gong)、掖庭(ting)官南北(bei)(bei)(bei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)長度(du)“相齊(qi)”，即南北(bei)(bei)(bei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)長度(du)相同。這比(bi)較外郭城(cheng)高一丈八尺（合5。3米(mi)(mi)），墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)基寬(kuan)9米(mi)(mi)一12米(mi)(mi)來(lai)看(kan)，構筑得(de)更為堅固高大(da)。
十個宮門
太(tai)極宮東(dong)(dong)(dong)、西(xi)、南、北(bei)四面(mian)共開有(you)十個(ge)城門(men)(men)(men)(men)。宮城的(de)(de)南面(mian)有(you)五個(ge)門(men)(men)(men)(men)，中(zhong)間是承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)，東(dong)(dong)(dong)側是長樂門(men)(men)(men)(men)，次東(dong)(dong)(dong)永(yong)春門(men)(men)(men)(men)。承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)之西(xi)為(wei)廣(guang)運門(men)(men)(men)(men)，次西(xi)永(yong)安門(men)(men)(men)(men)；西(xi)面(mian)和北(bei)面(mian)各(ge)開有(you)二個(ge)城門(men)(men)(men)(men)，西(xi)為(wei)嘉猷(you)門(men)(men)(men)(men)、通(tong)(tong)明(ming)門(men)(men)(men)(men)，也是掖庭宮的(de)(de)東(dong)(dong)(dong)門(men)(men)(men)(men)；北(bei)為(wei)玄(xuan)武門(men)(men)(men)(men)、安禮門(men)(men)(men)(men)；東(dong)(dong)(dong)面(mian)通(tong)(tong)向東(dong)(dong)(dong)宮只開有(you)一個(ge)城門(men)(men)(men)(men)，名通(tong)(tong)訓門(men)(men)(men)(men)，也就是東(dong)(dong)(dong)宮的(de)(de)西(xi)門(men)(men)(men)(men)。
東宮(gong)南(nan)北尚開有四(si)個城門(men)，南(nan)面三門(men)，為廣運門(men)、重明門(men)、永春門(men)；北面一(yi)門(men)名玄德(de)門(men)。
掖庭宮因為宮女(nv)所居，故(gu)只開(kai)(kai)東西門(men)，不(bu)開(kai)(kai)南北門(men)，西面門(men)只稱西門(men)，無他名。
正門——承天門
在所有(you)的這些城門(men)當(dang)中，最(zui)重要的莫過于(yu)南(nan)墻正中的承(cheng)天門(men)了(le)。
承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)的(de)門(men)(men)(men)(men)址在(zai)今天蓮湖公園蓮湖池(chi)南(nan)岸(an)偏西(xi)(xi)(xi)處，中(zhong)科(ke)院考(kao)古(gu)研究所西(xi)(xi)(xi)安唐(tang)城(cheng)發掘隊1963年發表(biao)的(de)《唐(tang)代(dai)長(chang)(chang)安城(cheng)考(kao)古(gu)紀略》中(zhong)寫道(dao)(dao)(dao)，門(men)(men)(men)(men)的(de)基址大部分已被挖土破壞(huai)。經考(kao)古(gu)探測其(qi)東西(xi)(xi)(xi)殘存部分尚(shang)長(chang)(chang)41.7米，已發現三(san)門(men)(men)(men)(men)道(dao)(dao)(dao)。中(zhong)間門(men)(men)(men)(men)道(dao)(dao)(dao)寬8.5米，西(xi)(xi)(xi)側門(men)(men)(men)(men)道(dao)(dao)(dao)寬6.2米，東側門(men)(men)(men)(men)道(dao)(dao)(dao)寬6.4米，門(men)(men)(men)(men)道(dao)(dao)(dao)的(de)進深(shen)為(wei)19米。門(men)(men)(men)(men)址底下(xia)鋪有(you)石(shi)條和石(shi)板，建筑(zhu)極其(qi)堅固。由于門(men)(men)(men)(men)址東側已被破壞(huai)，向(xiang)東是(shi)否還有(you)門(men)(men)(men)(men)道(dao)(dao)(dao)，已不(bu)得知(zhi)。考(kao)古(gu)發掘后，
門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)上有高(gao)大(da)(da)的(de)(de)樓(lou)觀(guan)，門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)外左右有東西朝(chao)堂(tang)，門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)前有廣三百步(bu)的(de)(de)宮廷廣場，南面(mian)直對(dui)朱雀門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)、明德門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，寬約150米(mi)一155米(mi)的(de)(de)南北直線大(da)(da)街，位置十分(fen)重要(yao)。承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)為太極宮的(de)(de)正門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，是(shi)封建(jian)皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)舉(ju)行“外朝(chao)”大(da)(da)典之(zhi)處(chu)。如元旦、冬至，設宴(yan)陳樂都在此處(chu)進行。朝(chao)廷遇有赦(she)宥，或(huo)除(chu)舊布新，或(huo)接待萬國(guo)朝(chao)貢使者、四夷賓客，皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)也要(yao)御承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)聽政。像唐太宗(zong)冊李(li)治為皇(huang)(huang)太子、睿宗(zong)即(ji)皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)位、玄宗(zong)受吐(tu)蕃宰相尚欽藏獻盟書等，都在此舉(ju)行大(da)(da)朝(chao)會(hui)。承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)樓(lou)還(huan)是(shi)皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)歡宴(yan)群臣(chen)之(zhi)處(chu)。先天二年（713年）九月己卯(mao)，玄宗(zong)宴(yan)王公百僚于承(cheng)天門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，并(bing)向樓(lou)下拋撒(sa)金錢，讓(rang)百官(guan)爭拾。
北門——玄武門
太極宮(gong)(gong)的(de)北門(men)玄(xuan)武門(men)，亦以其(qi)重(zhong)要的(de)政治、軍事地(di)位稱雄當時。其(qi)地(di)居龍首原余坡，地(di)勢較高，俯視(shi)宮(gong)(gong)城，如在(zai)掌握：是宮(gong)(gong)城北面的(de)重(zhong)要門(men)戶。唐武德九年(nian)（626年(nian)）六月四日(ri)，．秦王李世民誅殺太子李建成、齊(qi)王李元(yuan)吉的(de)“玄(xuan)武門(men)之變”就發生(sheng)在(zai)這里。貞觀(guan)十二年(nian)（638年(nian)），太宗(zong)李世民又下令(ling)，于玄(xuan)武門(men)置左(zuo)右屯營，以諸衛將軍領(ling)之，其(qi)兵名之飛騎(qi)，后經不斷擴(kuo)充，從(cong)百騎(qi)、千騎(qi)到萬騎(qi)，武則天垂拱元(yuan)年(nian)改為左(zuo)右羽(yu)林軍。
貞觀十四年(nian)(nian)（640年(nian)(nian)），太宗曾于玄武門(men)宴群臣及河源(yuan)王諾(nuo)曷缽，“奏(zou)倡優百戲之樂”；唐中(zhong)宗景龍三年(nian)(nian)（709年(nian)(nian)）二月(yue)己丑，中(zhong)宗登玄武門(men)樓觀宮女分(fen)朋拔河為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)戲，并(bing)“遣(qian)宮女為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)市肆，鬻賣眾(zhong)物，令宰臣及公卿(qing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)商賈，與之交(jiao)易，因為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)忿爭，言辭猬褻。上與后觀之，以為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)笑樂”。
三朝布局
太極宮(gong)宮(gong)內布(bu)(bu)局也(ye)非(fei)常講究，嚴(yan)格按照(zhao)(zhao)古代宮(gong)室建(jian)(jian)筑原則執行(xing)。宮(gong)內主體(ti)建(jian)(jian)筑采(cai)用“前(qian)(qian)朝后寢”的原則，以朱明門(men)、肅章門(men)、虔(qian)化(hua)門(men)等(deng)宮(gong)院墻門(men)為(wei)界(jie)，把宮(gong)內劃分(fen)為(wei)“前(qian)(qian)朝”和“內廷”前(qian)(qian)后兩個部(bu)分(fen)。朱明門(men)、虔(qian)化(hua)門(men)以外屬(shu)于“前(qian)(qian)朝”部(bu)分(fen)，以內則為(wei)“內廷”部(bu)分(fen)。“前(qian)(qian)朝”部(bu)分(fen)又按照(zhao)(zhao)《周禮》“三朝制(zhi)度”進(jin)行(xing)布(bu)(bu)局。
外朝——承天門
承天門(men)及東(dong)西兩殿為(wei)外朝，是“舉大典，詢眾庶之處”；
中朝——太極殿
以太(tai)極殿為中(zhong)朝(chao)，是(shi)皇(huang)帝(di)(di)主(zhu)要(yao)聽政視朝(chao)之(zhi)處，每(mei)逢朔（初一）、望（十五(wu)）之(zhi)日，皇(huang)帝(di)(di)均(jun)臨此殿會見群臣，視朝(chao)聽政。另(ling)外，皇(huang)帝(di)(di)登基，冊封皇(huang)后(hou)、太(tai)子、諸王(wang)、公主(zhu)大(da)典及宴請朝(chao)貢(gong)使(shi)節等(deng)也多在此殿舉行(xing)。高宗(zong)(zong)以后(hou)，皇(huang)帝(di)(di)多移(yi)居大(da)明(ming)宮和興慶(qing)宮，但每(mei)遇(yu)登基或(huo)殯葬告祭等(deng)大(da)禮，如(ru)德宗(zong)(zong)、順宗(zong)(zong)、憲宗(zong)(zong)、敬宗(zong)(zong)即位，代宗(zong)(zong)、德宗(zong)(zong)葬儀仍移(yi)于此殿進行(xing)，它在長安三(san)內諸殿中(zhong)地位最(zui)尊。為行(xing)事方便(bian)，在太(tai)極殿的(de)東側設有(you)(you)門下內省、宏文(wen)館、史(shi)館，西側設有(you)(you)中(zhong)書內省、舍人院(yuan)，為宰相和皇(huang)帝(di)(di)近臣辦公的(de)處所，以備(bei)皇(huang)帝(di)(di)隨時顧問和根據皇(huang)帝(di)(di)旨意撰寫文(wen)書詔令；
內朝——兩儀殿
以內廷地區(qu)的兩儀殿(dian)(dian)為內朝，是(shi)帝(di)王與宗人集(ji)議及退(tui)接大(da)夫之處(chu)。兩儀殿(dian)(dian)因(yin)在禁內，只有少數(shu)大(da)臣(chen)可以入內和皇(huang)帝(di)商(shang)談國事(shi)，故舉(ju)止較(jiao)為隨便，這里也(ye)經常是(shi)太宗歡宴大(da)臣(chen)與貢使之處(chu)，太宗多次在此(ci)殿(dian)(dian)宴請五品以上官員，它是(shi)太極宮(gong)內第二大(da)殿(dian)(dian)。
兩儀殿的東側有萬春殿，西側有千(qian)秋殿。
太極殿(dian)后(hou)為朱明門(men)(men)，其(qi)北為兩(liang)儀門(men)(men)，朱明門(men)(men)與(yu)兩(liang)儀門(men)(men)之間的橫(heng)街(jie)即是朝(chao)、寢之界。
寢(qin)(qin)區內又被(bei)一(yi)條橫街（永(yong)巷）分為前(qian)后兩排宮(gong)殿(dian)，由于(yu)這(zhe)部分是(shi)寢(qin)(qin)宮(gong)，防衛更加(jia)嚴密，永(yong)巷中加(jia)設了四道(dao)橫門(men)(men)(men)：東橫門(men)(men)(men)、西橫門(men)(men)(men)、日(ri)華門(men)(men)(men)、月華門(men)(men)(men)。永(yong)巷南是(shi)皇(huang)帝(di)生活(huo)區，即(ji)“帝(di)寢(qin)(qin)”，永(yong)巷北是(shi)皇(huang)后妃子居住區，即(ji)“后寢(qin)(qin)”，絕對禁止外臣(chen)進(jin)入。前(qian)排正中是(shi)兩儀殿(dian)建筑群，橫街以北，正中是(shi)甘(gan)(gan)露(lu)門(men)(men)(men)，門(men)(men)(men)內是(shi)寢(qin)(qin)殿(dian)甘(gan)(gan)露(lu)殿(dian)。甘(gan)(gan)露(lu)殿(dian)左(zuo)右有(you)神龍(long)殿(dian)和安仁殿(dian)，再向兩側(ce)還有(you)大吉殿(dian)、百福(fu)殿(dian)、承(cheng)慶殿(dian)，諸殿(dian)各有(you)院落。
寢區(qu)以北(bei)是后苑(yuan)，苑(yuan)中西(xi)部有(you)幾個大池，稱東(dong)(dong)、西(xi)、南海池。圍繞(rao)三(san)池布置(zhi)有(you)一些園林性質的(de)(de)殿宇(yu)，西(xi)北(bei)隅還有(you)一組山(shan)池院，并設有(you)千步廊(lang)等(deng)建(jian)(jian)筑。東(dong)(dong)部建(jian)(jian)有(you)凌煙閣(ge)、功(gong)臣(chen)閣(ge)、紫云閣(ge)、凝(ning)云閣(ge)等(deng)一系列樓閣(ge)，凌煙閣(ge)內壁(bi)繪有(you)唐太宗(zong)為功(gong)臣(chen)畫的(de)(de)畫像，以表達對開國功(gong)臣(chen)的(de)(de)追(zhui)思。
全宮在(zai)整個(ge)建(jian)筑布(bu)局上仍(reng)然與整個(ge)長安城總體布(bu)局相一致，以中軸部位(wei)突出主要(yao)建(jian)筑，承天門(men)、太(tai)極殿(dian)、兩儀殿(dian)南(nan)北排列，處于(yu)(yu)全宮的中部，其他殿(dian)院與閣門(men)分布(bu)于(yu)(yu)兩側，左右對稱。這就從(cong)建(jian)筑布(bu)局手法(fa)上，突出了這些象征封建(jian)皇權統(tong)治(zhi)的殿(dian)門(men)的重要(yao)地(di)位(wei)。
都城長安除主要政殿(dian)(dian)(dian)太(tai)(tai)極殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、兩(liang)儀殿(dian)(dian)(dian)之(zhi)外，甘露(lu)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)是(shi)皇帝(di)在內宮(gong)讀書之(zhi)處，也是(shi)第三大殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。武德殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，在隋(sui)代即(ji)較有名，它(ta)與東(dong)宮(gong)鄰接，隋(sui)文(wen)帝(di)廢(fei)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)勇(yong)為庶人即(ji)在此殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宣詔，唐初李淵賜李世(shi)民居(ju)承(cheng)乾殿(dian)(dian)(dian)后，又賜李元吉居(ju)武德殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，這(zhe)更方便(bian)了他與太(tai)(tai)子(zi)李建成的溝通往(wang)來。先天元年(nian)(nian)（712年(nian)(nian)）李隆基即(ji)位之(zhi)初，還(huan)曾在此殿(dian)(dian)(dian)聽政，可見地位也不一(yi)般。
凌煙閣(ge)因功(gong)(gong)臣圖形(xing)(xing)于其(qi)中(zhong)而有(you)名，它(ta)是功(gong)(gong)臣的(de)畫(hua)像(xiang)閣(ge)。貞觀(guan)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)七年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)（643年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)），太(tai)宗(zong)曾為長(chang)孫無忌(ji)、杜(du)如(ru)晦、魏徵(zhi)等(deng)二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四人(ren)圖形(xing)(xing)，表(biao)彰其(qi)政績以(yi)及輔弼之功(gong)(gong)。這就是所謂的(de)“凌煙 閣(ge)二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四功(gong)(gong)臣”。其(qi)實唐(tang)代(dai)圖形(xing)(xing)功(gong)(gong)臣于此閣(ge)共有(you)三(san)次(ci)，除貞觀(guan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)間的(de)一次(ci)外，代(dai)宗(zong)廣德元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)（763年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)）七月(yue)，又為功(gong)(gong)臣郭(guo)子儀、李晟(sheng)等(deng)畫(hua)像(xiang)。到德宗(zong)貞元(yuan)五年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)（789年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)）九月(yue)，總匯前代(dai)功(gong)(gong)臣褚(chu)遂良(liang)、李光弼等(deng)二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)七人(ren)圖像(xiang)，在(zai)前代(dai)的(de)基礎上進行了新的(de)遴選。第三(san)次(ci)是在(zai)宣(xuan)宗(zong)大(da)中(zhong)二(er)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)（848年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)）七月(yue)，繪唐(tang)初(chu)以(yi)來“堪(kan)上凌煙閣(ge)功(gong)(gong)臣”王蛙如(ru)、岑文本、李峴(xian)、馬(ma)周、馬(ma)遂等(deng)三(san)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)七人(ren)圖形(xing)(xing)，“立(li)閣(ge)圖形(xing)(xing)，榮號凌煙”。圖形(xing)(xing)凌煙閣(ge)成為唐(tang)朝褒獎功(gong)(gong)臣的(de)一種重要(yao)形(xing)(xing)式。在(zai)陜西(xi)省麟游(you)縣文化館(guan)還藏有(you)宋人(ren)游(you)師雄摹刻的(de)唐(tang)凌煙閣(ge)功(gong)(gong)臣畫(hua)像(xiang)殘石，從中(zhong)可以(yi)看出當(dang)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)大(da)唐(tang)帝國的(de)許多(duo)榮登(deng)此閣(ge)的(de)名臣。
太(tai)極(ji)宮的東(dong)西兩(liang)側(ce)分(fen)別為東(dong)宮與掖庭宮。兩(liang)宮面積均(jun)小于太(tai)極(ji)宮，為縱長方形結(jie)構，建(jian)于隋(sui)初。
掖庭宮(gong)(gong)是(shi)(shi)(shi)宮(gong)(gong)女(nv)居住和犯(fan)罪官(guan)僚(liao)家屬婦女(nv)配沒人(ren)宮(gong)(gong)勞動(dong)之(zhi)處(chu)。大(da)致分三個(ge)區(qu)域，中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)部(bu)為(wei)宮(gong)(gong)女(nv)居住區(qu)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)也包(bao)括犯(fan)罪官(guan)僚(liao)家屬婦女(nv)配沒人(ren)宮(gong)(gong)勞動(dong)之(zhi)處(chu)。掖庭宮(gong)(gong)的北部(bu)為(wei)太倉，西(xi)南(nan)部(bu)為(wei)內侍省(sheng)(sheng)所(suo)在地。內侍省(sheng)(sheng)是(shi)(shi)(shi)宦官(guan)機構，所(suo)謂“內侍奉，宣制(zhi)令”q），掌管宮(gong)(gong)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的一切大(da)事小(xiao)情(qing)。1978年(nian)5月，曾(ceng)在西(xi)安(an)城(cheng)內西(xi)五臺(tai)以西(xi)，距今西(xi)安(an)西(xi)城(cheng)墻240米處(chu)發現了唐“光化二年(nian)（899年(nian)）歲次己未六月癸亥朔二十七日己丑建(jian)”的《大(da)唐重修(xiu)內侍省(sheng)(sheng)之(zhi)碑》，位置恰在原掖庭宮(gong)(gong)的西(xi)南(nan)，從而證明這里(li)確(que)曾(ceng)是(shi)(shi)(shi)內侍省(sheng)(sheng)無疑。
東宮(gong)(gong)為(wei)太(tai)子(zi)居住之處(chu)，亦稱春宮(gong)(gong)、儲宮(gong)(gong)。從隋太(tai)子(zi)楊(yang)勇(yong)、楊(yang)廣到唐高祖(zu)時(shi)原太(tai)子(zi)李(li)建(jian)成、后(hou)太(tai)子(zi)李(li)世民及太(tai)宗時(shi)太(tai)子(zi)李(li)治等都居住在(zai)這里，從玄(xuan)宗以后(hou)，皇太(tai)子(zi)“但居于(yu)乘輿所幸(xing)別院(yuan)(yuan)”，才往往隨其父皇住在(zai)皇宮(gong)(gong)內(nei)別院(yuan)(yuan)。
東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)最主要(yao)宮(gong)殿(dian)(dian)為明德殿(dian)(dian)。隋時稱嘉德殿(dian)(dian)，唐初更(geng)名(ming)為顯(xian)德殿(dian)(dian)。后(hou)(hou)因中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)宗(zong)李顯(xian)為太(tai)子(zi)(zi)住(zhu)東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)，避其(qi)名(ming)諱，改(gai)稱明德殿(dian)(dian)。它(ta)(ta)為東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)第一正殿(dian)(dian)，是皇太(tai)子(zi)(zi)接見群(qun)臣和舉(ju)(ju)行(xing)重大政(zheng)(zheng)治活(huo)動的(de)(de)地方。武德九年(nian)（626年(nian)）八月九日，太(tai)子(zi)(zi)李世(shi)民在(zai)高(gao)祖李淵(yuan)遜位后(hou)(hou)在(zai)此殿(dian)(dian)舉(ju)(ju)行(xing)登基儀式(shi)。當時太(tai)宗(zong)即在(zai)此殿(dian)(dian)聽政(zheng)(zheng)，一直(zhi)到貞(zhen)觀(guan)三年(nian)（629年(nian)）四(si)月，太(tai)上皇李淵(yuan)由太(tai)極(ji)宮(gong)遷居大安宮(gong)后(hou)(hou)，太(tai)宗(zong)李世(shi)民才去太(tai)極(ji)宮(gong)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)太(tai)極(ji)殿(dian)(dian)聽政(zheng)(zheng)。另(ling)外，東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)也是一處(chu)非常重要(yao)的(de)(de)政(zheng)(zheng)殿(dian)(dian)。它(ta)(ta)建于(yu)太(tai)宗(zong)貞(zhen)觀(guan)十(shi)三年(nian)（639年(nian)），本為皇太(tai)子(zi)(zi)讀書(shu)(shu)之處(chu)。唐代在(zai)此設“崇(chong)賢館(guan)(guan)學士(shi)”，以(yi)(yi)侍講宮(gong)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)又是唐代的(de)(de)貴族(zu)學校。唐制規定：“崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)生(sheng)二十(shi)人，以(yi)(yi)皇族(zu)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)緦麻(ma)以(yi)(yi)上親，皇太(tai)后(hou)(hou)、皇后(hou)(hou)大功以(yi)(yi)上親，宰相及散(san)官一品功臣，身食(shi)實封者，京官職事(shi)從三品中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)書(shu)(shu)黃(huang)門侍郎之子(zi)(zi)為之”。另(ling)外，崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)也是宮(gong)內秘籍圖(tu)書(shu)(shu)校理(li)之處(chu)，是一個大型(xing)的(de)(de)皇家(jia)圖(tu)書(shu)(shu)館(guan)(guan)。
歲月靜好 
