東(dong)(dong)塔(ta)又名鹿峰(feng)塔(ta)、德星塔(ta),位于鹿峰(feng)山頂。宋治(zhi)平年(nian)間(jian)(jian),進士孫頎為(wei)桂(gui)陽(yang)監(jian)使時始建,后傾(qing)覆(fu)。明嘉靖十年(nian)(1531年(nian))復建,萬歷(li)元年(nian)(1573年(nian))竣工(gong)。塔(ta)為(wei)磚(zhuan)(zhuan)石(shi)結構(gou),七級八面(mian)(mian),高(gao)30.18米(mi),第一(yi)(yi)(yi)層(ceng)直徑11米(mi)多,塔(ta)身(shen)中(zhong)(zhong)空(kong),有階梯可繞行至(zhi)頂層(ceng)。每(mei)層(ceng)每(mei)面(mian)(mian)有券門(men)(men)或(huo)假券門(men)(men),層(ceng)與層(ceng)之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)飛出短檐(yan),轉角(jiao)(jiao)處嵌(qian)有石(shi)枋,似檐(yan)之(zhi)翹角(jiao)(jiao),每(mei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)翹角(jiao)(jiao)上(shang)吊(diao)一(yi)(yi)(yi)銅鐘,微風吹拂,鐘搖鈴響,叮(ding)叮(ding)悅(yue)耳。塔(ta)頂有鑄鐵(tie)相輪及(ji)寶瓶。在湖南省(sheng)(sheng)明代磚(zhuan)(zhuan)塔(ta)中(zhong)(zhong),東(dong)(dong)塔(ta)別具(ju)一(yi)(yi)(yi)格。現為(wei)湖南省(sheng)(sheng)省(sheng)(sheng)級重(zhong)點(dian)保護(hu)文物。如(ru)今,與鹿峰(feng)寺、鹿峰(feng)晚照、拙(zhuo)翁巖、歐陽(yang)海塑像等景點(dian)合為(wei)東(dong)(dong)塔(ta)公園。在桂(gui)平市區東(dong)(dong)4公里、潯江岸(an)邊,隔江與賓山寺相對峙。明萬歷(li)年(nian)間(jian)(jian)(1573—1620)知(zhi)縣劉萬安建,成二級而(er)卒。崇(chong)幀年(nian)間(jian)(jian)(1628--1644)御史李仲熊(xiong)、知(zhi)府葛元正增建成9級。東(dong)(dong)塔(ta)為(wei)八角(jiao)(jiao)形(xing)樓(lou)閣式磚(zhuan)(zhuan)塔(ta),底徑12米(mi),高(gao)約50米(mi)。塔(ta)身(shen)每(mei)層(ceng)疊澀棱角(jiao)(jiao)重(zhong)檐(yan),檐(yan)頂平座一(yi)(yi)(yi)周。東(dong)(dong)北和西北面(mian)(mian)開(kai)圭(gui)角(jiao)(jiao)形(xing)門(men)(men),其余(yu)各面(mian)(mian)設圭(gui)角(jiao)(jiao)形(xing)假壺門(men)(men)。頂置銅葫蘆(lu),塔(ta)內木樓(lou)板和木板樓(lou)梯登頂。有“東(dong)(dong)塔(ta)回(hui)瀾(lan)”之(zhi)稱。
東塔有一個美麗的傳說。傳說很久以前,寶(bao)山(shan)(shan)腳下住著(zhu)一個窮苦青年,名叫周(zhou)郎,常于舂(chong)陵(ling)水(shui)捕魚(yu)為(wei)生(sheng)。有一天(tian)(tian),南海龍(long)(long)王(wang)(wang)三女(nv)龍(long)(long)梅(mei)到舂(chong)陵(ling)水(shui)戲水(shui),見(jian)周(zhou)郎生(sheng)得(de)俊(jun)秀,便(bian)化作在(zai)河邊(bian)尋豬草的村姑,天(tian)(tian)天(tian)(tian)給周(zhou)郎提魚(yu)簍,一同游玩。日久生(sheng)情,龍(long)(long)女(nv)便(bian)出一上(shang)聯(lian)(lian)要周(zhou)對下聯(lian)(lian),試探(tan)周(zhou)郎的才華,上(shang)聯(lian)(lian)是(shi):“峰上(shang)栽楓(feng)(feng),風(feng)卷楓(feng)(feng)動峰不(bu)動。”周(zhou)郎思索一會答道:“洲(zhou)面泊舟,周(zhou)撐舟移(yi)洲(zhou)不(bu)移(yi)。”龍(long)(long)梅(mei)愛(ai)憐(lian)周(zhou)郎才貌,許以終身。此事被巡河夜叉得(de)知后報告(gao)龍(long)(long)王(wang)(wang)。龍(long)(long)王(wang)(wang)大怒,派兵捉拿龍(long)(long)梅(mei)問(wen)罪,又在(zai)舂(chong)陵(ling)水(shui)里興風(feng)作浪,發大水(shui)淹(yan)沒沿(yan)岸莊田。龍(long)(long)梅(mei)見(jian)百姓受害,周(zhou)郎受苦,拔碧玉釵擲入河中(zhong),頃刻出現一座大山(shan)(shan)擋(dang)住洪水(shui),玉釵又變為(wei)擎天(tian)(tian)柱聳立山(shan)(shan)上(shang),周(zhou)郎把船(chuan)飄到山(shan)(shan)邊(bian)拴在(zai)柱上(shang),百姓與周(zhou)郎始得(de)安然(ran)。
廣西境內與東(dong)塔(ta)同(tong)時興(xing)建(jian)(jian)的古塔(ta),很(hen)多(duo)已坍塌不(bu)存,而東(dong)塔(ta)建(jian)(jian)立后,歷經地震的搖撼,雷電(dian)的襲擊(ji),風雨的蕩滌卻巋然不(bu)動,是何奧秘(mi)?原來東(dong)塔(ta)極(ji)為雄偉堅實,全塔(ta)采用(yong)(yong)磚木(mu)結(jie)構(gou),基(ji)底用(yong)(yong)每(mei)塊數(shu)百斤重的基(ji)石深砌至石層,基(ji)礎無(wu)比堅固(gu)。墻(qiang)垣堅厚,底徑12米,墻(qiang)厚4米,塔(ta)高(gao)50米,八面(mian)空心錐(zhui)形,有(you)門進出(chu),每(mei)層均有(you)通風之孔(kong),每(mei)級的填心拱(gong)門漆以銀(yin)珠,八角(jiao)用(yong)(yong)銅(tong)絲串吊風鈴,塔(ta)尖用(yong)(yong)千(qian)多(duo)斤重的銅(tong)葫(hu)蘆(lu)罩頂,起(qi)著防雷避電(dian)襲擊(ji)作用(yong)(yong)。
東(dong)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)四(si)周的(de)(de)水(shui)光(guang)(guang)山(shan)色,景(jing)致(zhi)天(tian)然(ran)。遠處(chu),西山(shan)飄來松(song)濤茶(cha)香;近處(chu),潯(xun)(xun)江(jiang)似碧玉羅帶,環繞塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)旁(pang)。對岸(an)的(de)(de)賓(bin)山(shan),濃郁蔽日(ri),充滿生(sheng)機。而最令人神往的(de)(de)奇景(jing)是(shi)(shi)東(dong)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)回瀾。東(dong)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)回瀾是(shi)(shi)潯(xun)(xun)州八景(jing)之(zhi)一(yi)。此(ci)景(jing)最妙處(chu)是(shi)(shi)四(si)季有別,早(zao)(zao)晚不(bu)同。冬春晴天(tian),早(zao)(zao)上旭日(ri)東(dong)升,塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)影(ying)橫(heng)跨潯(xun)(xun)江(jiang),襯著緩流層疊(die)的(de)(de)波浪(lang),塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)身上尖下圓(yuan),八面(mian)棱角光(guang)(guang)照(zhao)不(bu)同,斜影(ying)返照(zhao)對岸(an)賓(bin)山(shan)的(de)(de)濃陰,這(zhe)時陽(yang)(yang)光(guang)(guang)微(wei)紅,水(shui)色銀白,濃樹綠蔭回環起伏,便天(tian)然(ran)地(di)形成五顏六色的(de)(de)百褶裙,時聚時散,在江(jiang)水(shui)浮(fu)(fu)動,蔚為奇觀。夏日(ri),江(jiang)水(shui)暴漲,塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)上游是(shi)(shi)銅鼓灘,牙(ya)石作聲,漩渦倒轉,驚濤回蕩,長(chang)達數里(li),把東(dong)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)在潯(xun)(xun)江(jiang)江(jiang)中的(de)(de)倒影(ying)分(fen)為幾節(jie),浮(fu)(fu)游江(jiang)面(mian),浪(lang)高處(chu)依稀可見塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)尖,銅葫蘆(lu)也時隱(yin)(yin)時現,隱(yin)(yin)多于(yu)現。別具(ju)一(yi)番奇異景(jing)象(xiang)。秋日(ri),和風日(ri)麗,晚霞夕(xi)陽(yang)(yang)斜照(zhao)東(dong)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta),倒影(ying)返照(zhao)潯(xun)(xun)江(jiang),波浪(lang)時起時伏,呈(cheng)現著各種(zhong)不(bu)同的(de)(de)變化。一(yi)忽兒塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)影(ying)像九節(jie)鋼鞭,時斷時邊;一(yi)忽兒又(you)像弧形彎子(zi),酷彎子(zi)射(she)月。
東塔始建(jian)(jian)于(yu)(yu)明(ming)朝(chao)萬(wan)歷年(nian)間(公(gong)元1573至1627年(nian)),由知(zhi)縣劉萬(wan)安倡議(yi)建(jian)(jian)立。建(jian)(jian)成二層之后(hou),劉萬(wan)安病(bing)故(gu)。群眾懷(huai)念他建(jian)(jian)塔功跡和善政,于(yu)(yu)東塔立“遺愛(ai)碑”。崇禎(zhen)年(nian)間(公(gong)元1628至1644年(nian))由御史(shi)李仲(zhong)熊、知(zhi)府葛元正建(jian)(jian)至九(jiu)級。從建(jian)(jian)塔至今,風雨滄桑,已歷經四百余(yu)年(nian)。
東塔(ta)為八角(jiao)九層(ceng)樓閣式(shi)(shi)磚塔(ta),底徑12米,高(gao)約50米,為廣西第(di)一高(gao)塔(ta)。塔(ta)古樸(pu)厚重,每層(ceng)均有主角(jiao)式(shi)(shi)拱門(men)8個,其(qi)中兩(liang)個是真門(men),6個是假門(men)。塔(ta)內有木板樓梯,可直登塔(ta)頂。塔(ta)頂裝飾有銅葫蘆。塔(ta)外(wai)在起級處(chu),用(yong)青(qing)磚砌成(cheng)疊(die)結式(shi)(shi)棱角(jiao)牙(ya)紋飾,涂(tu)以朱砂(sha),每級拱門(men)涂(tu)銀朱。雨過天晴,紅白(bai)相間,十分耀眼。
塔下(xia)為潯江楊急灘,水下(xia)暗礁(jiao)遍布,江流洶涌(yong),波瀾(lan)起伏,回環激蕩,塔影搖曳,此(ci)即(ji)有名的“東塔回瀾(lan)”一景(jing)。
東(dong)塔還(huan)留下許多優美的口碑(bei)傳(chuan)說。一說是(shi)為了繁榮(rong)桂(gui)平(ping)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)。塔形下圓而上尖,形狀(zhuang)似筆(bi),人(ren)們稱塔為文(wen)(wen)筆(bi),東(dong)塔建(jian)于潯江(jiang)之(zhi)畔,寓(yu)意將文(wen)(wen)筆(bi)飽蘸潯江(jiang)之(zhi)水,譜寫桂(gui)平(ping)燦(can)爛(lan)輝(hui)(hui)煌(huang)的文(wen)(wen)化(hua)和詩篇,另一說,桂(gui)平(ping)是(shi)個竹筏之(zhi)地。黔郁雙江(jiang)滾滾東(dong)流,竹筏極易被洪(hong)(hong)水沖(chong)走。建(jian)立東(dong)塔,像撐竿插住竹筏,使洪(hong)(hong)水無法沖(chong)走;再(zai)一說是(shi)求得(de)四峰并峙,相(xiang)互輝(hui)(hui)映。整個桂(gui)平(ping)縣境,山峰林立,南有白石雙蜂,西有思靈、馬麗,北有紫荊、五指,唯獨東(dong)方缺少(shao)屏障,在(zai)東(dong)面建(jian)立東(dong)塔,讓塔尖直沖(chong)云(yun)霄,群峰相(xiang)對,達到四方平(ping)衡。
東塔(ta)(ta)回瀾是(shi)(shi)桂平(ping)歷史上有(you)名的八景之(zhi)一。也有(you)兩種傳說(shuo)。一說(shuo)是(shi)(shi)早上太(tai)陽從東方升起,塔(ta)(ta)影橫跨(kua)潯(xun)江(jiang)(jiang)。因塔(ta)(ta)身上尖下圓,八面棱角光(guang)照不(bu)(bu)同,潯(xun)江(jiang)(jiang)水面又波浪滔滔,因而(er)塔(ta)(ta)影浮江(jiang)(jiang),曲折回環(huan),頗似波瀾起伏;另(ling)一說(shuo)是(shi)(shi)潯(xun)江(jiang)(jiang)居(ju)于銅(tong)鼓(gu)灘底下,水中到處是(shi)(shi)暗礁,而(er)黔郁雙(shuang)江(jiang)(jiang)匯流,河水湍急,潯(xun)江(jiang)(jiang)滾滾東去,水流石阻(zu),揚瀾回轉,不(bu)(bu)斷起伏,長達數里,成為奇觀,遂稱(cheng)為東塔(ta)(ta)回瀾。
歷代詩人墨客,為東塔留下了許多(duo)名篇(pian)佳句。明朝楊大(da)節,在《東塔詩》中寫道:瞻依青帝擎玉柱(zhu),旋轉(zhuan)蒼龍帶(dai)月鉤(gou)。”清(qing)朝傅輝文則贊曰:“光(guang)搖雪浪(lang)江云(yun)碧,影落秋濤煙雨蒙(meng)”。