古人認(ren)為，明堂(tang)可上通天象，下(xia)統萬(wan)物，天子在此既可聽察(cha)天下(xia)，又(you)可宣明政教，是(shi)(shi)體(ti)(ti)現天人合(he)為一體(ti)(ti)的(de)神圣之地(di)。古代(dai)帝王(wang)凡祭(ji)祀、朝會、慶賞(shang)、選士等大(da)(da)禮典均在此舉(ju)行(xing)。1995年(nian)發(fa)現明堂(tang)遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)部分發(fa)掘(jue)延續至(zhi)(zhi)次年(nian)，其具體(ti)(ti)位置(zhi)在今大(da)(da)同(tong)市區東南(nan)(nan)向陽(yang)東街一帶，東起大(da)(da)同(tong)一中(原云中大(da)(da)學--大(da)(da)同(tong)職業技(ji)術(shu)學院)西(xi)南(nan)(nan)角，西(xi)至(zhi)(zhi)柳航里(li)小區西(xi)沿，南(nan)(nan)迄城(cheng)區四(si)十五校(xiao)西(xi)墻外(wai)，北至(zhi)(zhi)柳航里(li)原大(da)(da)同(tong)職業技(ji)術(shu)學院3號家屬樓西(xi)的(de)小區停車(che)場。已探明這(zhe)處圓形(xing)(xing)遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)直(zhi)徑(jing)為289至(zhi)(zhi)294米，占地(di)面(mian)積(ji)達百畝。遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)中央是(shi)(shi)一方(fang)形(xing)(xing)夯土臺基，邊長(chang)約43米，是(shi)(shi)主體(ti)(ti)建(jian)筑“明堂(tang)”所(suo)在地(di)。遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)總平(ping)面(mian)呈(cheng)圓形(xing)(xing)，在圜形(xing)(xing)水溝的(de)內側，設(she)東、南(nan)(nan)、西(xi)、北四(si)門，南(nan)(nan)門與(yu)西(xi)門的(de)遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)規模(mo)宏大(da)(da)。依照相關資料推(tui)算，建(jian)筑規模(mo)相當(dang)(dang)于(yu)現存北京(jing)天壇(tan)的(de)3倍(bei)。可惜受到當(dang)(dang)時社會條件局限，地(di)處鬧市無法進行(xing)下(xia)一步(bu)詳細考古。
北魏(wei)王(wang)朝(chao)是鮮卑族建(jian)(jian)立的(de)(de)北方(fang)(fang)政權(quan)，也(ye)(ye)(ye)是南北朝(chao)時(shi)(shi)期北朝(chao)頭一(yi)(yi)個(ge)王(wang)朝(chao)。北魏(wei)平(ping)城明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)據《魏(wei)書·高祖(zu)紀》記載(zai)：太(tai)(tai)(tai)和十(shi)年(nian)(486)秋七月(yue)(yue)“詔起明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)、辟(pi)雍(yong)(yong)。”而(er)真正開始修(xiu)(xiu)建(jian)(jian)是在太(tai)(tai)(tai)和十(shi)五年(nian)(491)夏四(si)月(yue)(yue)，并且在修(xiu)(xiu)筑(zhu)(zhu)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)的(de)(de)同(tong)時(shi)(shi)還修(xiu)(xiu)筑(zhu)(zhu)了太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟，《魏(wei)書·高祖(zu)紀》記載(zai)：“經(jing)始明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，改(gai)營太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟。”工程進度(du)特(te)別快，僅僅用(yong)了半(ban)年(nian)的(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)間，明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)和太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟就修(xiu)(xiu)筑(zhu)(zhu)完成(cheng)(cheng)了。此時(shi)(shi)文明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)太(tai)(tai)(tai)后(hou)剛剛故去，而(er)由(you)太(tai)(tai)(tai)后(hou)與皇帝(di)共(gong)同(tong)主持的(de)(de)班祿制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)、均田制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)和三長(chang)制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)改(gai)革已經(jing)完成(cheng)(cheng)且收到(dao)實效，國家進入了鼎盛期。這樣的(de)(de)政治、經(jing)濟條(tiao)件成(cheng)(cheng)就了明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)便也(ye)(ye)(ye)成(cheng)(cheng)了國力的(de)(de)炫耀和時(shi)(shi)代的(de)(de)標志。這一(yi)(yi)點可以從平(ping)城明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)本(ben)身得到(dao)驗證。《魏(wei)書·高祖(zu)紀》記載(zai)：太(tai)(tai)(tai)和十(shi)五年(nian)(491)冬十(shi)月(yue)(yue)“明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)、太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟成(cheng)(cheng)。”這不僅是中(zhong)國歷史上獨一(yi)(yi)一(yi)(yi)座由(you)少數民族政權(quan)建(jian)(jian)造的(de)(de)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，而(er)且該明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)內(nei)部增設了渾象(xiang)(xiang)，頂(ding)部修(xiu)(xiu)建(jian)(jian)了靈(ling)臺，集天(tian)(tian)文觀察、演示和月(yue)(yue)令于(yu)一(yi)(yi)體，兼有了天(tian)(tian)文臺的(de)(de)作(zuo)用(yong)。《水(shui)經(jing)注·漯水(shui)》記載(zai)：平(ping)城“明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)上圓(yuan)下(xia)方(fang)(fang)，四(si)周(zhou)十(shi)二堂(tang)(tang)(tang)九(jiu)室，而(er)不為(wei)(wei)重隅也(ye)(ye)(ye)。室外柱內(nei)，綺井之下(xia)，施(shi)機(ji)輪，飾(shi)縹碧，仰象(xiang)(xiang)天(tian)(tian)狀，畫北道之宿焉，蓋天(tian)(tian)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。每月(yue)(yue)隨(sui)斗所(suo)建(jian)(jian)之辰，轉應天(tian)(tian)道，此之異古也(ye)(ye)(ye)。加靈(ling)臺于(yu)其上，下(xia)則引水(shui)為(wei)(wei)辟(pi)雍(yong)(yong)。水(shui)側結石為(wei)(wei)塘，事(shi)準古制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)，是太(tai)(tai)(tai)和中(zhong)之所(suo)經(jing)建(jian)(jian)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。”
北(bei)(bei)魏平(ping)城明(ming)(ming)堂是(shi)由李(li)沖(chong)(chong)來設(she)計建(jian)(jian)(jian)造(zao)的(de)，據《魏書·李(li)沖(chong)(chong)傳》記載：“沖(chong)(chong)機敏(min)有巧思。北(bei)(bei)京明(ming)(ming)堂、圓丘、太廟(miao)，及洛都(dou)初基(ji)(ji)，安處(chu)郊兆，新起(qi)堂寢(qin)，皆資(zi)于(yu)沖(chong)(chong)。”這(zhe)里(li)的(de)“北(bei)(bei)京”就是(shi)指的(de)平(ping)城，是(shi)遷都(dou)洛陽后(hou)(hou)對平(ping)城的(de)稱呼。李(li)沖(chong)(chong)不僅設(she)計修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)了(le)明(ming)(ming)堂，還有古代祭天的(de)圓形高壇圓丘和供奉皇帝(di)(di)先祖(zu)的(de)太廟(miao)，包括后(hou)(hou)來北(bei)(bei)魏遷都(dou)洛陽劃定基(ji)(ji)址、設(she)置郊廟(miao)之地、新修(xiu)宮殿都(dou)全靠李(li)沖(chong)(chong)。值得一提的(de)是(shi)，雖然現在對明(ming)(ming)堂的(de)具體設(she)計修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)沒有查到更(geng)多資(zi)料，但就當時在修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)太廟(miao)時，因北(bei)(bei)魏孝文帝(di)(di)大力推行漢化政策，時命蔣少游赴洛陽測量了(le)魏晉故廟(miao)基(ji)(ji)址，然后(hou)(hou)依據其樣式建(jian)(jian)(jian)造(zao)。至此(ci)，北(bei)(bei)魏重新修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)的(de)太廟(miao)脫去了(le)鮮卑舊俗，成(cheng)為一座(zuo)符合漢族傳統(tong)帝(di)(di)王體制的(de)建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑。由此(ci)可以(yi)推想到，當時明(ming)(ming)堂的(de)修(xiu)造(zao)也應是(shi)參照了(le)漢族傳統(tong)帝(di)(di)王建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑而修(xiu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)的(de)。
主(zhu)要遺址是(shi)(shi)中(zhong)心(xin)及(ji)(ji)東(dong)南(nan)(nan)西(xi)北共5個建筑(zhu)遺址的(de)(de)夯(hang)土(tu)(tu)臺(tai)基(ji)，以(yi)(yi)及(ji)(ji)外(wai)(wai)環于周邊四(si)個臺(tai)基(ji)的(de)(de)一(yi)條(tiao)圜(yuan)形河(he)道。中(zhong)心(xin)臺(tai)基(ji)長(chang)寬各42～43米，應為(wei)筑(zhu)明(ming)堂太室即太廟，可惜它正好被壓在(zai)柳航里小區一(yi)座樓下。四(si)方的(de)(de)夯(hang)土(tu)(tu)臺(tai)基(ji)應為(wei)明(ming)堂東(dong)南(nan)(nan)西(xi)北四(si)門或四(si)處堂室（更可能是(shi)(shi)被稱為(wei)四(si)門之學的(de)(de)太學）。根據已發掘的(de)(de)西(xi)、南(nan)(nan)兩個夯(hang)臺(tai)及(ji)(ji)建筑(zhu)遺存，四(si)方臺(tai)基(ji)皆向(xiang)外(wai)(wai)呈凸字形，面闊29米，進深16～17米。臺(tai)外(wai)(wai)的(de)(de)圜(yuan)形河(he)便(bian)是(shi)(shi)辟雍(yong)了，以(yi)(yi)其形同玉璧名之。辟雍(yong)河(he)寬17～22米，整齊的(de)(de)砂(sha)石砌成堤(di)岸，并以(yi)(yi)河(he)泥防滲。河(he)以(yi)(yi)碎石鋪底，頗(po)為(wei)考究。
據清道(dao)光(guang)(guang)《大同縣志》載，此處(chu)原名八圪(ge)(ge)瘩（上世(shi)紀三(san)四十年代(dai)日軍占領期間修飛機場才將8個圪(ge)(ge)瘩連(lian)同中(zhong)心臺基上唐代(dai)因址而建的(de)(de)(de)魏孝文帝廟(miao)殘址夷(yi)為平地）。想來當初這里(li)是有(you)8個夯(hang)(hang)土臺基的(de)(de)(de)，每個夯(hang)(hang)土臺都是一處(chu)大的(de)(de)(de)建筑，不僅有(you)明堂、太(tai)(tai)廟(miao)、太(tai)(tai)學(xue)、靈臺及四門，可(ke)(ke)能還(huan)包括(kuo)南面(mian)(mian)專作祭天的(de)(de)(de)圜(yuan)丘。這一組王朝(chao)建筑群，再加上東面(mian)(mian)皇帝勸耕的(de)(de)(de)藉田(tian)、藥圃，北面(mian)(mian)高聳入(ru)云的(de)(de)(de)永寧寺七(qi)級浮圖以(yi)及皇舅寺和佛(fo)塔，京邑帝里(li)，令(ling)人神往(wang)。從發掘中(zhong)出土的(de)(de)(de)大量精美石料、表面(mian)(mian)磨光(guang)(guang)的(de)(de)(de)大瓦以(yi)及直徑18厘米的(de)(de)(de)獸面(mian)(mian)瓦當，也可(ke)(ke)窺見一斑。
北(bei)(bei)(bei)魏(wei)(wei)平城(cheng)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)是(shi)少數民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)政(zheng)權(quan)和民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)融(rong)合的(de)(de)產物(wu)(wu)。隨著(zhu)封建(jian)化的(de)(de)推進，鮮卑(bei)拓跋(ba)氏與(yu)其(qi)代北(bei)(bei)(bei)各部族(zu)(zu)(zu)、融(rong)入(ru)北(bei)(bei)(bei)魏(wei)(wei)政(zheng)權(quan)的(de)(de)中(zhong)(zhong)原士(shi)族(zu)(zu)(zu)和周邊新加(jia)盟的(de)(de)少數民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)的(de)(de)交融(rong)愈益深廣(guang)。太(tai)(tai)(tai)和十(shi)年，魏(wei)(wei)孝文(wen)帝拓跋(ba)宏(hong)在(zai)(zai)平城(cheng)“始(shi)服袞冕，朝(chao)饗萬國”，并以(yi)“法服御輦(nian)祀于(yu)(yu)西(xi)郊”。大臣(chen)們也(ye)“始(shi)制五等公服”。這(zhe)個(ge)大的(de)(de)歷史背景，標志著(zhu)鮮卑(bei)少數民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)政(zheng)權(quan)的(de)(de)成熟，也(ye)就在(zai)(zai)這(zhe)一(yi)(yi)(yi)年下詔營建(jian)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)。平城(cheng)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)是(shi)我國歷史上(shang)獨(du)一(yi)(yi)(yi)由(you)少數民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)政(zheng)權(quan)建(jian)造(zao)的(de)(de)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，也(ye)是(shi)迄今為止除(chu)長(chang)安、洛陽而(er)(er)(er)外發現(xian)的(de)(de)又(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)座明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)。這(zhe)座明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)建(jian)造(zao)的(de)(de)時間、地點都(dou)(dou)說(shuo)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)，它本身就是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)世紀中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)夷夏(xia)交融(rong)的(de)(de)產物(wu)(wu)。長(chang)安和洛陽的(de)(de)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，都(dou)(dou)是(shi)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)、太(tai)(tai)(tai)學(xue)、靈(ling)臺(tai)分置，而(er)(er)(er)平城(cheng)北(bei)(bei)(bei)魏(wei)(wei)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)卻(que)是(shi)合三為一(yi)(yi)(yi)的(de)(de)。辟雍環明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，考(kao)古實物(wu)(wu)已經(jing)證(zheng)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)太(tai)(tai)(tai)學(xue)和明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)建(jian)于(yu)(yu)一(yi)(yi)(yi)處(chu)，而(er)(er)(er)作(zuo)為宣揚教化的(de)(de)形象代表“三老五更”高處(chu)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)則史有明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)載。靈(ling)臺(tai)就在(zai)(zai)上(shang)圓下方的(de)(de)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)上(shang)，而(er)(er)(er)且(qie)(qie)其(qi)“室外柱內”的(de)(de)“綺井之(zhi)下”彩(cai)繪北(bei)(bei)(bei)半(ban)天的(de)(de)星(xing)空，并且(qie)(qie)置有機輪，天象逐月(yue)而(er)(er)(er)變。太(tai)(tai)(tai)和十(shi)六年正月(yue)孝文(wen)帝先是(shi)登(deng)靈(ling)臺(tai)觀云物(wu)(wu)接著(zhu)又(you)降居青陽左個(ge)布(bu)(bu)政(zheng)。不僅明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)、太(tai)(tai)(tai)學(xue)、靈(ling)臺(tai)三而(er)(er)(er)為一(yi)(yi)(yi)，明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)太(tai)(tai)(tai)室也(ye)兼有太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟(miao)(miao)功能。太(tai)(tai)(tai)和十(shi)六年（492年）正月(yue)依據“嚴父(fu)配(pei)天”的(de)(de)常(chang)禮“宗祀顯(xian)祖(zu)獻文(wen)皇帝于(yu)(yu)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，以(yi)配(pei)上(shang)帝”，同年九(jiu)月(yue)又(you)“大序昭穆(mu)于(yu)(yu)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，祀文(wen)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)太(tai)(tai)(tai)皇太(tai)(tai)(tai)后于(yu)(yu)玄室”。在(zai)(zai)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)序祖(zu)宗昭穆(mu)，實際上(shang)就是(shi)把(ba)(ba)七廟(miao)(miao)之(zhi)享(xiang)遷入(ru)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)，明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)便(bian)成了(le)太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟(miao)(miao)。這(zhe)不僅合了(le)蔡(cai)邕《明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)月(yue)令》關于(yu)(yu)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)、清廟(miao)(miao)、太(tai)(tai)(tai)廟(miao)(miao)、太(tai)(tai)(tai)室、太(tai)(tai)(tai)學(xue)、辟雍，“異名同事，其(qi)實一(yi)(yi)(yi)也(ye)”的(de)(de)說(shuo)法，把(ba)(ba)聽政(zheng)布(bu)(bu)政(zheng)、施行教化、祭天祀祖(zu)、觀云物(wu)(wu)，察符瑞集(ji)于(yu)(yu)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)堂(tang)(tang)(tang)一(yi)(yi)(yi)身，也(ye)體現(xian)著(zhu)北(bei)(bei)(bei)魏(wei)(wei)政(zheng)權(quan)崇簡、尚實的(de)(de)民(min)(min)(min)(min)(min)族(zu)(zu)(zu)品格。
1995年5月北魏(wei)平(ping)城明堂(tang)遺(yi)址在(zai)位于大(da)同城南近郊被發現，它成為《水經注》所記諸多平(ping)城建(jian)筑(zhu)中(zhong)先被發現的(de)(de)。經過1995年、1996年、2015年三次(ci)科學發掘，基本探(tan)明了北魏(wei)平(ping)城明堂(tang)的(de)(de)遺(yi)址布局、覆(fu)蓋范(fan)圍，與(yu)《水經注·漯(luo)水》記載一致。
2008年(nian)，本(ben)著(zhu)(zhu)既充(chong)分挖掘(jue)城市歷(li)史文(wen)化內涵、體(ti)現城市文(wen)脈(mo)延續性，又滿(man)足現代文(wen)化生活需(xu)要(yao)、體(ti)現景觀設(she)(she)計(ji)的(de)思(si)路(lu)，明堂(tang)遺址(zhi)公園(yuan)(yuan)修復被列入歷(li)史文(wen)化名城復興(xing)工(gong)程(cheng)。2010年(nian)5月明堂(tang)公園(yuan)(yuan)在向(xiang)陽街原址(zhi)開工(gong)建(jian)設(she)(she)，設(she)(she)計(ji)參(can)考(kao)歷(li)史文(wen)獻及研究(jiu)成果，結合(he)考(kao)古發(fa)掘(jue)、云岡雕刻等(deng)(deng)實物(wu)及圖(tu)(tu)像(xiang)材料(liao)，經(jing)(jing)專家多(duo)方(fang)(fang)論證完善，力(li)求接(jie)近北(bei)魏明堂(tang)形(xing)制和建(jian)筑布(bu)局原有的(de)風貌(mao)，歷(li)經(jing)(jing)6年(nian)建(jian)設(she)(she)完工(gong)。工(gong)程(cheng)為(wei)展覽建(jian)筑，包括明堂(tang)主(zhu)體(ti)、四門(men)(men)、圍(wei)墻等(deng)(deng)，計(ji)劃投資3500萬元，總建(jian)筑面(mian)(mian)(mian)積(ji)6702.88平(ping)方(fang)(fang)米(mi)(mi)，其(qi)中明堂(tang)建(jian)筑面(mian)(mian)(mian)積(ji)為(wei)4628.88平(ping)方(fang)(fang)米(mi)(mi)，四門(men)(men)建(jian)筑面(mian)(mian)(mian)積(ji)為(wei)2074平(ping)方(fang)(fang)米(mi)(mi)，每個門(men)(men)占(zhan)地(di)近300平(ping)方(fang)(fang)米(mi)(mi)，建(jian)筑層數為(wei)地(di)下(xia)(xia)一(yi)層，地(di)上(shang)二至三層。較大檐(yan)(yan)口高度(du)20.32米(mi)(mi)。還有一(yi)個暗(an)層，窗戶樣(yang)式為(wei)古老的(de)直欞窗，采用(yong)的(de)是波羅(luo)格木料(liao)，與明堂(tang)尖頂構成了一(yi)幅別有韻致的(de)圖(tu)(tu)畫。明堂(tang)建(jian)筑高度(du)為(wei)27米(mi)(mi)，上(shang)圓下(xia)(xia)方(fang)(fang)，穹宇重檐(yan)(yan)，覆(fu)蓋琉(liu)璃瓦，殿基周圍(wei)有石質護欄。上(shang)圓下(xia)(xia)方(fang)(fang)效(xiao)法著(zhu)(zhu)天圓地(di)方(fang)(fang)。明堂(tang)外面(mian)(mian)(mian)環(huan)繞著(zhu)(zhu)環(huan)形(xing)的(de)水池，是為(wei)辟雍。環(huan)水為(wei)雍(意為(wei)圓滿(man)無缺)，圓形(xing)像(xiang)辟(辟即璧，皇帝(di)專用(yong)的(de)玉制禮器)，象征王道(dao)教化圓滿(man)不絕。在環(huan)繞水道(dao)的(de)四面(mian)(mian)(mian)之上(shang)設(she)(she)四門(men)(men)，均為(wei)二層閣樓式建(jian)筑。
