忻(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)古城位于山西省忻(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)市。忻(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城始建于東(dong)漢建安二十(shi)年(公元215年)至今已有(you)將(jiang)近1800多年的歷(li)(li)史。忻(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)古城是按照中(zhong)華(hua)民(min)族(zu)傳(chuan)統規(gui)劃思(si)想和(he)建筑風格建設(she)起(qi)來的城市,集中(zhong)體(ti)現了中(zhong)華(hua)民(min)族(zu)的歷(li)(li)史文化特色, 是中(zhong)國古代勞動人(ren)民(min)的聰(cong)明(ming)才智和(he)堅強(qiang)毅力的結晶。歷(li)(li)代多為郡、州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)治所,險(xian)關要塞(sai),人(ren)杰(jie)地(di)靈(ling),商(shang)賈(jia)往(wang)來,兵家(jia)必爭,故有(you)“晉北鎖鑰”之(zhi)(zhi)稱。忻(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)文化積淀深厚,傳(chuan)統藝(yi)術源(yuan)遠流長,有(you)“摔跤之(zhi)(zhi)鄉”、“民(min)歌海洋”之(zhi)(zhi)譽。地(di)靈(ling)人(ren)杰(jie),也養育了不少在中(zhong)華(hua)民(min)族(zu)歷(li)(li)史上(shang)頗有(you)影響的人(ren)物,如班(ban)婕妤、楊家(jia)將(jiang)、元好(hao)問、白樸、薩都剌、徐繼畬等就(jiu)出自忻(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)。
北門(men)為“拱辰門(men)”,始(shi)建于(yu)明萬歷24年(nian)(1596)。城(cheng)樓總(zong)高28米,寬(kuan)7間,深(shen)4間,四周圍廊重檐三滴水(shui),歇山式屋(wu)頂(ding),檐下高懸“晉北鎖鑰”門(men)匾。樓內無柱,梁架結構簡潔,連接(jie)嚴(yan)實,充分體(ti)現(xian)了中國古代(dai)勞動人民(min)的(de)聰明智(zhi)慧。整個城(cheng)樓紅柱藍瓦(wa),富麗(li)堂皇,甚為壯觀,具有很(hen)高的(de)文物保護價值。
南門為“景賢門”,始建于明萬歷24年(1596)。城樓(lou)面闊7間,進深4間,重檐(yan)(yan)歇山頂,四角飛(fei)檐(yan)(yan),樓(lou)梯(ti)三(san)層,構(gou)思精巧,樓(lou)內無柱(zhu),拇(mu)指(zhi)臺階(jie),三(san)層檐(yan)(yan)下正(zheng)中懸(xuan)掛“三(san)關總要(yao)”匾(bian)額(e)。1972年拆毀,2002年重建。
東門為“永豐門”,始建于明萬(wan)歷(li)24年(1596)。城樓(lou)匾額(e)“獻佳(jia)合北”。1945年城樓(lou)被毀(hui)。
西門為“新興門”,始(shi)建于明萬歷24年(nian)(1596)。城樓匾額“九(jiu)峰雄(xiong)峙”。城樓毀于解(jie)放(fang)前(qian)。
忻州城墻始建(jian)于東漢末(mo)年,唐宋(song)時擴建(jian),至(zhi)清末(mo)成為完整城池。城墻周長2190丈,高4.2尺,全部用磚石(shi)包砌。此(ci)城在解(jie)放戰爭時期,由于閻(yan)錫山挖(wa)戰壕(hao),修碉(diao)堡,有較大損毀(hui)。解(jie)放后,由于城區(qu)建(jian)設,城墻逐步有所拆(chai)除,現東南西北四(si)面仍有斷(duan)壁殘垣。
秀容書院(yuan)始建于(yu)清乾隆四十年,當時忻縣稱秀容縣,故以此得名,為忻州市第一(yi)所(suo)學府。
原書院(yuan)(yuan)東邊(bian)是文昌寺,后書院(yuan)(yuan)逐漸擴建,文昌寺并于(yu)書院(yuan)(yuan)中。在書院(yuan)(yuan)西(xi)坡上先后修建三(san)個風景亭:正中四角(jiao)(jiao)亭,南(nan)八角(jiao)(jiao)亭,北(bei)六(liu)(liu)角(jiao)(jiao)亭。六(liu)(liu)角(jiao)(jiao)亭為(wei)三(san)亭中之最(zui),每邊(bian)長約三(san)米(mi),亭高約九米(mi)。六(liu)(liu)角(jiao)(jiao)亭舊(jiu)稱寥無閣,為(wei)全(quan)城(cheng)高點,立于(yu)亭上,可俯瞰(kan)全(quan)城(cheng)。原六(liu)(liu)角(jiao)(jiao)亭前有一磚拱門,稱天之衢(qu),意取書院(yuan)(yuan)讀書人,通過天之衢(qu),登上寥天閣,飛黃騰(teng)達。
文廟始建于(yu)明(ming)弘治五(wu)年(nian)(1492),坐北(bei)朝南,琉璃碧瓦蓋頂(ding)的照壁上龍飛(fei)鳳舞,三進大(da)門(men)欞星門(men)雄偉壯觀,單檐頂(ding)式大(da)成殿(dian)(dian)(dian)依(yi)然聳(song)立。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)面闊7間,進深5間,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內木閣中塑有先師孔子巨(ju)型(xing)雕像。1977年(nian)3月(yue)8日大(da)成殿(dian)(dian)(dian)不幸毀于(yu)大(da)火。
元遺山(shan)祠堂,位于(yu)(yu)城內(nei)南北(bei)大街,分內(nei)外倆個(ge)院落。由于(yu)(yu)道路拓寬和舊(jiu)城改造(zao),現祠堂大門已被拆毀。但(dan)整體結(jie)構(gou)仍保持祠堂原貌。2010年元遺山(shan)祠堂重建。
位于(yu)城東古鐘公(gong)園內(nei),據(ju)鐘銘文(wen)記載,大鐘鑄于(yu)金大定(1161-1189)年間(jian)。
革命戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)爭年(nian)代,曾(ceng)(ceng)經是(shi)晉(jin)察(cha)冀(ji)、晉(jin)綏革命根據地(di)的發祥地(di)與中心腹(fu)地(di)。國(guo)際共產(chan)主義戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)士白求恩曾(ceng)(ceng)在(zai)五(wu)臺縣創建了(le)“模范(fan)病室(shi)”。著名的“忻(xin)口戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)役”、“平型關大(da)(da)戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)”、火燒陽明堡飛機場等戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)斗就(jiu)發生在(zai)忻(xin)州(zhou)。這(zhe)片土地(di)還誕生了(le)高(gao)君(jun)宇、徐向前(qian)、薄(bo)一波等老一輩無產(chan)階級革命家。忻(xin)州(zhou)古稱“秀(xiu)容”,從新(xin)石器時代,就(jiu)有人類開始活動,至今已有將(jiang)近1800年(nian)的歷(li)史。春(chun)秋時期大(da)(da)部分為(wei)(wei)晉(jin)地(di),戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)國(guo)時屬趙。秦(qin)漢屬太原郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、雁(yan)北郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、太平郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),隋為(wei)(wei)新(xin)興(xing)郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、雁(yan)門郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),唐、五(wu)代、宋為(wei)(wei)忻(xin)州(zhou)定襄郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、代州(zhou)雁(yan)門郡(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),金、元、明、清為(wei)(wei)忻(xin)州(zhou)、代州(zhou)、保德州(zhou)。相(xiang)傳漢高(gao)祖(zu)(zu)北上抗擊匈奴,兵(bing)困平城(今大(da)(da)同),突圍時大(da)(da)軍(jun)南(nan)撤,到忻(xin)口方擺脫追兵(bing)。高(gao)祖(zu)(zu)歡顏而笑,六軍(jun)欣然如歸,因(yin)“欣”通(tong)“忻(xin)”,忻(xin)州(zhou)之名由此而生。
自唐宋以來,一(yi)直設有州治,有“晉北(bei)鎖鑰”之稱(cheng),歷(li)代為兵家必爭之地(di)。1949年(nian)(nian)成立忻縣(xian)(xian)專區(qu)。1970年(nian)(nian)更名為忻縣(xian)(xian)地(di)區(qu)。1978年(nian)(nian)改(gai)名為忻縣(xian)(xian)行政(zheng)公署。1983年(nian)(nian)改(gai)忻縣(xian)(xian)為忻州市(縣(xian)(xian)級(ji)(ji)市),改(gai)稱(cheng)忻州行署。2000年(nian)(nian)經國(guo)務(wu)院批準,忻州行署改(gai)為忻州市(地(di)級(ji)(ji)市)。
1937年(nian)(nian)被日(ri)本侵略(lve)者飛機炸損的(de)北(bei)(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)樓 城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),是(shi)古代保護政治治所和(he)(he)關隘要(yao)道(dao)的(de)軍(jun)事(shi)(shi)設防設施,忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)是(shi)二(er)(er)者兼有(you)的(de)一(yi)(yi)座老城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。它始(shi)建于(yu)東(dong)漢(han)建安(an)二(er)(er)十年(nian)(nian)(215年(nian)(nian)),置新興(xing)郡(今(jin)(jin)(jin)麻會村西(xi)側(ce)),同年(nian)(nian)置九原(yuan)縣(xian)(今(jin)(jin)(jin)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng))。《讀書(shu)方輿紀要(yao)》:“(忻(xin)(xin)(xin))州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)西(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)五十里有(you)秀(xiu)容城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。”《辭海》:“秀(xiu)容,古縣(xian)名(ming),治所在今(jin)(jin)(jin)山西(xi)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)縣(xian)西(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei),隋開皇移至(zhi)今(jin)(jin)(jin)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)縣(xian),為忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)治所。”《元和(he)(he)志(zhi)》:“劉元海感神而生,姿容秀(xiu)美,因此(ci)(ci)為名(ming)。”故名(ming)秀(xiu)容。《忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)直隸志(zhi)》:“州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)筑于(yu)隋開皇十八年(nian)(nian)(598年(nian)(nian)),因州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)北(bei)(bei)(bei)有(you)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)口而名(ming)。”實際忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)廓早在東(dong)漢(han)建安(an)二(er)(er)十年(nian)(nian)時已筑之,隋開皇只是(shi)修葺(qi)而已。忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西(xi)陀(tuo)螺山一(yi)(yi)帶,山形秀(xiu)拔(ba),怪石凌空,其(qi)仞(ren)有(you)九,故名(ming)九龍(long)。九龍(long)蜿蜒伸出直至(zhi)牧(mu)(mu)馬河(he)畔,臨牧(mu)(mu)馬河(he)時,九龍(long)合為一(yi)(yi)體,爭(zheng)(zheng)飲牧(mu)(mu)馬河(he)水,忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)就坐落在九條龍(long)頭之端(duan)。 忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)與(yu)省府太(tai)原(yuan)緊相(xiang)毗鄰,如同唇(chun)齒相(xiang)依(yi)。是(shi)偏頭關、寧武關、雁(yan)門(men)關的(de)可靠后方。“三(san)(san)關與(yu)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)之間,構成犄角之勢,形成扇(shan)面(mian),連能一(yi)(yi)氣。三(san)(san)關像(xiang)指,忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)如掌,進則如掌使(shi)指,迅速有(you)力;退則堅(jian)實如拳,牢(lao)不(bu)可破。”因此(ci)(ci),南(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)樓匾書(shu)“三(san)(san)關總(zong)要(yao)”。忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)北(bei)(bei)(bei)據忻(xin)(xin)(xin)口,南(nan)有(you)石嶺(ling)、赤(chi)塘二(er)(er)關險隘,忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)筑于(yu)中心地(di)帶,背(bei)依(yi)九龍(long)崗,西(xi)臨牧(mu)(mu)馬河(he),憑山襟水,一(yi)(yi)覽無余。古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)平面(mian)勢成橢圓,俗稱(cheng)臥牛城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),是(shi)一(yi)(yi)座易守(shou)難攻的(de)堅(jian)固堡壘。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內南(nan)北(bei)(bei)(bei)大(da)街是(shi)太(tai)原(yuan)以北(bei)(bei)(bei)的(de)通道(dao)。因此(ci)(ci),忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)老城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為“晉(jin)北(bei)(bei)(bei)咽(yan)喉和(he)(he)門(men)戶(hu)”,北(bei)(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)樓匾書(shu)“晉(jin)北(bei)(bei)(bei)鎖鑰(yao)”。獨特的(de)地(di)理位(wei)置,使(shi)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)歷來為兵家(jia)必(bi)爭(zheng)(zheng)的(de)軍(jun)事(shi)(shi)戰略(lve)要(yao)地(di)。
忻州(zhou)(zhou)老(lao)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)“跨(kua)西崗而城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),崗占城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)半,是(shi)為(wei)九(jiu)龍之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)塬(yuan)”。“明萬歷(li)二十六年十月(yue)(yue),忻州(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)修竣后(hou),四(si)(si)座城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men),連同(tong)洞門(men)(men)八座,洞門(men)(men)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)重重相對,彼此(ci)相通。”又(you)載(zai):“鳩工庀材,始建(jian)于同(tong)治七(qi)年四(si)(si)月(yue)(yue),迄(qi)于同(tong)治九(jiu)年十月(yue)(yue),前后(hou)將及三年,修繕完竣。于是(shi),雉垛(duo)(duo)(duo)斯偉,樓(lou)(lou)櫓崇煥。”同(tong)治七(qi)年修葺(qi),共(gong)用(yong)白銀六萬余兩,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)上增修了垛(duo)(duo)(duo)口(kou),重建(jian)了門(men)(men)樓(lou)(lou),并(bing)建(jian)堙(yin)門(men)(men),形成多重。今日所見(jian)忻州(zhou)(zhou)老(lao)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)面(mian)貌,蓋是(shi)同(tong)治七(qi)年修葺(qi)后(hou)的(de)遺物。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou)(lou)是(shi)古代警戒(jie)、指揮必(bi)建(jian)的(de)軍事設(she)施(shi),“舊多劫盜,諸州(zhou)(zhou)縣置城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓(lou)(lou),盜發四(si)(si)面(mian)皆守要(yao)路,便爾擒送。”“大哉(zai)斯樓(lou)(lou)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo),上可以陳(chen)列鼙(pi)鼓,下可以禁限中(zhong)外,近可以張皇斯眾,遠(yuan)(yuan)可以戒(jie)勵大軍。”可見(jian)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou)(lou)不只是(shi)標示雄偉,而且有其實際的(de)軍事用(yong)途。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)西側有供人登(deng)臨(lin)的(de)道(dao)路,稱為(wei)墁道(dao)或馬道(dao)。一般(ban)為(wei)斜坡,兩邊有欄墻(qiang),起點有門(men)(men),可杜防閑雜。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)上設(she)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)堞(die),又(you)名城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垛(duo)(duo)(duo)。垛(duo)(duo)(duo)與(yu)垛(duo)(duo)(duo)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)間稱垛(duo)(duo)(duo)口(kou),垛(duo)(duo)(duo)上設(she)垛(duo)(duo)(duo)眼。“城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)堞(die)不宜太高(gao),高(gao)則(ze)擲(zhi)石(shi)無力(li),垛(duo)(duo)(duo)口(kou)不宜太狹,狹則(ze)礙于擊賊。各(ge)留懸(xuan)孔(即垛(duo)(duo)(duo)眼),賊遠(yuan)(yuan)則(ze)堞(die)口(kou)瞭之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),近則(ze)懸(xuan)孔視之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。”城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垛(duo)(duo)(duo)是(shi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)頂上的(de)小墻(qiang),它(ta)始筑的(de)時間要(yao)早于城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)包磚(zhuan)。
忻(xin)州老(lao)城(cheng)(cheng)墻平面(mian)(mian)(mian)向(xiang)外(wai)凸出(chu)許多墩臺(tai),稱為馬面(mian)(mian)(mian)。馬面(mian)(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)(de)出(chu)現是(shi)從戰術角度(du)考慮而設置。“若攻城(cheng)(cheng),馬面(mian)(mian)(mian)長則(ze)可(ke)反射(she)城(cheng)(cheng)下攻者,兼密則(ze)矢石相(xiang)及,敵人至城(cheng)(cheng)下則(ze)四面(mian)(mian)(mian)矢石臨之。忻(xin)州老(lao)城(cheng)(cheng)平面(mian)(mian)(mian)近似方(fang)形(xing)的(de)(de)(de)多邊形(xing),周長九里二十步。城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)(yuan)依坡順勢蜿蜒(yan)起伏,呈曲線(xian)形(xing)。城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)(yuan)內邊四面(mian)(mian)(mian)均為緩坡形(xing),遇有敵情,軍民蜂擁(yong)而至城(cheng)(cheng)墻端。城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)(yuan)西北(bei)角為鈍角,東南(nan)角的(de)(de)(de)城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)(yuan)高度(du)最低,這是(shi)“天(tian)不滿(man)西北(bei),地不平東南(nan)”在城(cheng)(cheng)市建(jian)筑上的(de)(de)(de)體現。