唐朝盛(sheng)世,廟宇擴大(da),后因火(huo)災而毀。明(ming)朝時,修一祖師正殿(dian),供祖師菩(pu)薩。至清咸豐年(nian)間,募捐擴修道觀(guan)(guan)大(da)成(cheng)規模,并(bing)正式命名為(wei)“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)觀(guan)(guan)”。隨著歷史的(de)變遷(qian),真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)觀(guan)(guan)僅存真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)殿(dian),但(dan)已(yi)破(po)舊。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)觀(guan)(guan)的(de)香(xiang)火(huo)非(fei)(fei)常旺盛(sheng),每年(nian)的(de)農歷春(chun)節、三月(yue)(yue)二十八、四月(yue)(yue)初(chu)四、六月(yue)(yue)二十四等重大(da)香(xiang)訊(xun)期間,更是人山(shan)人海,熱鬧(nao)非(fei)(fei)凡。為(wei)了(le)滿足信教(jiao)群眾過(guo)宗教(jiao)生活(huo)的(de)需要(yao),有序地規范宗教(jiao)活(huo)動。2008年(nian),經蘇州市道教(jiao)協會申(shen)請,并(bing)報省(sheng)宗教(jiao)局批準,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)觀(guan)(guan)作為(wei)寺觀(guan)(guan)教(jiao)堂恢復(fu)重建。2009年(nian)8月(yue)(yue)8日,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)觀(guan)(guan)舉行了(le)奠基儀式。
經(jing)過兩年的(de)建設,真武觀已初具規(gui)模。
2011年(nian) 8月20日上午,常(chang)(chang)熟真武觀隆重舉(ju)行落成典禮(li)暨神(shen)像開光(guang)慶(qing)典。國家(jia)宗教(jiao)(jiao)局(ju)(ju)副(fu)(fu)(fu)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)蔣堅永、一(yi)司(si)(si)司(si)(si)長(chang)徐遠杰,中(zhong)央統(tong)(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)二局(ju)(ju)宗教(jiao)(jiao)二處處長(chang)石云,江蘇省(sheng)委統(tong)(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)副(fu)(fu)(fu)部(bu)長(chang)、省(sheng)宗教(jiao)(jiao)局(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)莫宗通,省(sheng)委統(tong)(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)副(fu)(fu)(fu)巡(xun)視員陶(tao)勇、省(sheng)宗教(jiao)(jiao)局(ju)(ju)副(fu)(fu)(fu)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)沈祖榮,蘇州市委常(chang)(chang)委、統(tong)(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)長(chang)周向(xiang)群,蘇州市政(zheng)府副(fu)(fu)(fu)市長(chang)黃欽,蘇州市民宗局(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)金建立、副(fu)(fu)(fu)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)季云鋼,常(chang)(chang)熟市政(zheng)協(xie)主席張(zhang)永泉、人(ren)大副(fu)(fu)(fu)主任聞永昌、副(fu)(fu)(fu)市長(chang)王(wang)(wang)建國、市委統(tong)(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)部(bu)長(chang)王(wang)(wang)永明、民宗局(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)曹國良等領導;中(zhong)國道教(jiao)(jiao)協(xie)會(hui)副(fu)(fu)(fu)會(hui)長(chang)張(zhang)繼禹、丁常(chang)(chang)云、唐誠青、賴保榮、林舟、張(zhang)鳳(feng)林、黃至杰、李光(guang)富,秘(mi)書長(chang)王(wang)(wang)哲一(yi),來(lai)自10個省(sheng)、自治區、真轄市道教(jiao)(jiao)協(xie)會(hui)和道教(jiao)(jiao)名山宮觀的負責人(ren),以及來(lai)自日本(ben)、港澳臺等國家(jia)和地(di)區同(tong)道、各(ge)界人(ren)士等應敫(jiao)出席慶(qing)典。
慶典由(you)蘇(su)州市道(dao)協(xie)副會(hui)長(chang)、常(chang)熟(shu)真武觀(guan)管(guan)委(wei)會(hui)主(zhu)任熊建(jian)(jian)衛主(zhu)持。張鳳林、黃(huang)欽、王(wang)建(jian)(jian)國(guo)、曹國(guo)良等在典禮儀式(shi)上致辭(ci),分別代(dai)表中(zhong)道(dao)協(xie)、常(chang)熟(shu)市民宗(zong)局和(he)(he)蘇(su)州市、常(chang)熟(shu)市對真武觀(guan)的落成(cheng)表示熱(re)烈的祝賀(he)!丁常(chang)云道(dao)長(chang)為(wei)(wei)江蘇(su)隆力奇生(sheng)物科股份(fen)有(you)限公司董事(shi)長(chang)徐之偉(wei)先(xian)生(sheng)頒發功德證(zheng)書和(he)(he)紀念品。蔣堅(jian)永、張繼(ji)禹、莫宗(zong)通、周(zhou)向群、楊(yang)世華、黃(huang)欽、張永泉(quan)、陶勇、金建(jian)(jian)立、石(shi)云、王(wang)建(jian)(jian)國(guo)、徐之偉(wei)周(zhou)向群、張永泉(quan)為(wei)(wei)真武觀(guan)揭牌,12位(wei)道(dao)長(chang)為(wei)(wei)神像開光。
恢復(fu)移(yi)地(di)重(zhong)建(jian)(jian)的(de)真武(wu)觀(guan),紫墻黛(dai)瓦的(de)殿(dian)(dian)宇錯(cuo)落有致,更(geng)顯群(qun)樓(lou)(lou)仙閣勝境。建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)群(qun)占地(di)50畝,建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)面積6500平方(fang)米,分(fen)為(wei)東(dong)中西三路。在(zai)布(bu)局上(shang),各建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)物均(jun)坐北朝南(nan)縱向(xiang)排列。中軸線(中路)上(shang),依次(ci)排列牌(pai)樓(lou)(lou)、靈(ling)官殿(dian)(dian)、真武(wu)殿(dian)(dian)和玉(yu)皇殿(dian)(dian)。東(dong)路偏殿(dian)(dian),依次(ci)排列觀(guan)音殿(dian)(dian)、元辰殿(dian)(dian)。西路偏殿(dian)(dian),依次(ci)排列媽祖殿(dian)(dian),藥王殿(dian)(dian),在(zai)玉(yu)皇殿(dian)(dian)東(dong)西兩側偏殿(dian)(dian)分(fen)別(bie)為(wei)財(cai)神殿(dian)(dian)、文昌殿(dian)(dian)。同時,觀(guan)內還有辦公樓(lou)(lou)和道眾生活區。整座宮觀(guan),四(si)周走廊圍合成一座規模恢宏的(de)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)群(qun)。
寬敞(chang)的(de)廣場上,聳(song)立著一(yi)座(zuo)宏偉的(de)標志性牌樓,為(wei)六柱三門(men)。牌樓正面正中(zhong)額(e)(e)“琴川清(qing)都(dou)”,東西兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)額(e)(e)“道(dao)冠古(gu)今(jin)”、“德參天(tian)(tian)地(di)”,正中(zhong)額(e)(e)兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)聯為(wei):天(tian)(tian)近元門(men)上極斗牛之氣;云開黃道(dao)永依日月之光。背(bei)面正中(zhong)額(e)(e)“瑞暎八(ba)方”,東西兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)額(e)(e)“金聲玉振(zhen)”、“煙(yan)雨(yu)江南”,正中(zhong)額(e)(e)兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)聯為(wei):移來福地(di)千家戶,籍(ji)得武當一(yi)統(tong)天(tian)(tian)。
牌樓(lou)的(de)西(xi)邊(bian)有(you)(you)五塊景觀墻,分別鐫刻有(you)(you)福、祿、壽和(he)太(tai)極、八(ba)卦(gua)圖(tu)的(de)磚(zhuan)雕。牌樓(lou)北(bei)面與山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)殿(dian)之間的(de)地(di)上有(you)(you)一幅(fu)八(ba)卦(gua)圖(tu)。山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)殿(dian)(靈官殿(dian)),屋檐(yan)為(wei)歇(xie)山(shan)(shan)(shan)式(shi),正脊(ji)(ji)系龍(long)吻脊(ji)(ji),中間塑(su)團龍(long)造型。兩側戧脊(ji)(ji)上,塑(su)有(you)(you)騎(qi)馬武(wu)士。山(shan)(shan)(shan)花處左右對稱,塑(su)道(dao)(dao)教八(ba)仙(xian)人物(wu)圖(tu)。殿(dian)前擺放(fang)一對威武(wu)的(de)石獅。山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)最(zui)上方(fang)懸(xuan)掛由(you)中國(guo)道(dao)(dao)協會(hui)會(hui)長(chang)任法(fa)融題寫的(de)“真武(wu)觀”匾(bian),山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)上方(fang)東懸(xuan)掛匾(bian)“道(dao)(dao)本通真”,由(you)中國(guo)道(dao)(dao)教協會(hui)副(fu)會(hui)長(chang)張繼禹(yu)題寫,山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)上方(fang)西(xi)懸(xuan)掛匾(bian)為(wei)“玄天著德”。山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)東西(xi)兩邊(bian)拱門(men)上的(de)額分別是“環(huan)印法(fa)天”、“令寶尊元”。山(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)兩邊(bian)聯由(you)常(chang)熟書法(fa)家言恭(gong)達(da)書:非玄武(wu)不足當也,捊眾星實環(huan)拱之。
山門面闊三間,占地100平方米。入內,殿中供奉一(yi)尊威風凜(lin)凜(lin)的(de)(de)(de)靈官(guan)青(qing)銅(tong)神像,重約1600斤 。靈官(guan)又名王靈官(guan),道(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)一(yi)般認為是宋徽宗(zong)時的(de)(de)(de)王善(shan),但(dan)也(ye)有說是唐(tang)太宗(zong)時的(de)(de)(de)王惡。據《列仙全(quan)傳》卷八記載:王靈官(guan)本名王善(shan),是湘陰城隍廟內的(de)(de)(de)城隍,后來成為道(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)護(hu)法神。他的(de)(de)(de)地位,與(yu)佛(fo)寺山門殿內的(de)(de)(de)韋陀相(xiang)同。
出山門殿(dian),便是(shi)真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)殿(dian)。殿(dian)前東、西(xi)建有(you)(you)(you)功德亭、仙(xian)井亭。殿(dian)門上(shang)(shang)檐(yan)懸掛“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)殿(dian)”匾。下懸三(san)方(fang)橫匾,中(zhong)(zhong)間(jian)(jian)由中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)道(dao)教協會(hui)副會(hui)長、武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)當山道(dao)教協會(hui)會(hui)長、武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)當山住持(chi)李光(guang)富(fu)題寫的(de)“帝(di)(di)德常(chang)高”匾。左側為(wei)“恩覃十(shi)部(bu)”,右側為(wei)“神(shen)威普(pu)照”匾。殿(dian)內廊(lang)柱(zhu)對聯由江(jiang)蘇省道(dao)教協會(hui)會(hui)長楊世(shi)華(hua)書(shu):眾妙無門是(shi)謂玄(xuan)之主,群魔盡蕩(dang)乃謂武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)之真(zhen)(zhen)。該(gai)殿(dian)面闊五(wu)(wu)間(jian)(jian),占地300余平方(fang)米。殿(dian)正中(zhong)(zhong)供奉(feng)真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)(di)像。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)(di),又稱玄(xuan)天(tian)(tian)上(shang)(shang)帝(di)(di)、翊圣(sheng)保(bao)德真(zhen)(zhen)君(jun)、佑圣(sheng)真(zhen)(zhen)君(jun)百天(tian)(tian)上(shang)(shang)帝(di)(di),為(wei)道(dao)教神(shen)仙(xian)中(zhong)(zhong)赫(he)赫(he)有(you)(you)(you)名的(de)玉京尊神(shen)。道(dao)經(jing)中(zhong)(zhong)尊稱他為(wei)“鎮天(tian)(tian)真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)靈應佑圣(sheng)帝(di)(di)君(jun)”,簡稱“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)帝(di)(di)君(jun)”,民間(jian)(jian)稱蕩(dang)魔天(tian)(tian)尊、報恩祖師(shi)、被(bei)發祖師(shi)。明(ming)朝(chao)以后(hou),在全國(guo)(guo)影響極大(da),近代民間(jian)(jian)信(xin)仰尤為(wei)普(pu)遍(bian)。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)(di)兩邊供奉(feng)周公(gong)、桃花女像. 真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)(di)背面掛有(you)(you)(you)一幅“五(wu)(wu)龍捧圣(sheng)”圖。
真武殿(dian)(dian)北面為(wei)玉皇殿(dian)(dian)。殿(dian)(dian)前(qian)設置(zhi)高出地面的露(lu)臺(tai),四(si)周圍以花崗巖石欄(lan)。正中(zhong)的寶鼎(ding),鼎(ding)足(zu)而立。露(lu)臺(tai)前(qian)有暗八仙和白玉雙(shuang)龍(long)壁。真武殿(dian)(dian)為(wei)觀內(nei)主殿(dian)(dian),規(gui)模恢宏(hong)。重檐歇山(shan)式屋檐,正脊(ji)塑(su)團(tuan)龍(long)造型(xing)。戧(chuang)脊(ji)塑(su)武士(shi)、仙鶴、靈獸等(deng)道教吉祥物。上(shang)檐懸(xuan)掛(gua)“玉皇殿(dian)(dian)“匾。下懸(xuan)三(san)方橫匾,中(zhong)間為(wei)“金(jin)闕玉京(jing)”,由中(zhong)國道教協會(hui)副會(hui)長張鳳(feng)林題(ti)寫;左側(ce)(ce)為(wei)“道統(tong)諸天(tian)”,右側(ce)(ce)為(wei)“法周上(shang)界”匾。該殿(dian)(dian)面闊七間,占地500余平方米。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)一字排開,設有十八扇(shan)厚重的落地長窗(chuang)。入(ru)內(nei),但見紅柱間懸(xuan)掛(gua)各色幡條,氣氛莊(zhuang)嚴(yan)。兩(liang)根圓柱上(shang)懸(xuan)楹聯(lian):足(zu)赤(chi)踏龜蛇(she)成萬法總歸三(san)尺(chi)劍,散發沖斗牛五(wu)云展出七星旗。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)正中(zhong)塑(su)一尊(zun)金(jin)碧輝煌(huang)的玉帝(di)神像(xiang),題(ti)為(wei)“太上(shang)金(jin)闕至尊(zun)昊天(tian)玉皇上(shang)帝(di)”。寶相莊(zhuang)嚴(yan),氣勢非凡(fan)。玉帝(di)兩(liang)旁塑(su)有金(jin)童玉女神像(xiang)。東西兩(liang)壁間,各塑(su)六尊(zun)天(tian)將守護。玉帝(di)像(xiang)背面塑(su)三(san)官大(da)帝(di)、太乙(yi)、雷(lei)祖(zu)像(xiang)。
玉皇(huang)殿(dian)東為(wei)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)殿(dian),供(gong)(gong)奉比干(gan)、趙(zhao)公明、關羽三尊(zun)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)像。財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)為(wei)民(min)間俗神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen),人們追求美滿富裕的(de)生(sheng)(sheng)活(huo),于是,供(gong)(gong)奉的(de)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)便(bian)應運(yun)而生(sheng)(sheng)。各(ge)路財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)資質各(ge)異(yi):文(wen)(wen)(wen)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)有(you)比干(gan)和范(fan)蠡,武財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)有(you)趙(zhao)公明和關公。財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)殿(dian)內供(gong)(gong)奉的(de)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen),以(yi)武財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)趙(zhao)公明為(wei)多。戴盔披甲(jia),形(xing)象(xiang)威武。只有(you)“維德”才(cai)能“生(sheng)(sheng)財(cai)(cai)”,這也(ye)是當(dang)今應該推崇的(de)生(sheng)(sheng)財(cai)(cai)之道。玉皇(huang)殿(dian)東為(wei)文(wen)(wen)(wen)昌(chang)殿(dian)。殿(dian)內供(gong)(gong)奉一(yi)大三小共三尊(zun)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)像。中(zhong)間的(de)主神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)為(wei)魁(kui)星文(wen)(wen)(wen)昌(chang)帝君。由于魁(kui)星主文(wen)(wen)(wen)運(yun),故備受讀(du)書人頂禮膜拜,希冀沾上文(wen)(wen)(wen)運(yun)科舉考試(shi)中(zhong)魁(kui)。因此,和土地廟、關帝廟一(yi)樣,文(wen)(wen)(wen)昌(chang)殿(dian)和文(wen)(wen)(wen)昌(chang)閣也(ye)遍布(bu)全國(guo)各(ge)地。
真(zhen)武觀內(nei),道(dao)教文(wen)化氛圍濃厚。東(dong)西(xi)兩(liang)邊環廊內(nei)掛有真(zhen)武靈驗圖,建有文(wen)化碑廊,刻有老子像碑、顏真(zhen)卿書道(dao)德經碑等。觀內(nei)還(huan)有仙井亭等景點。
真武觀(guan),現有道(dao)士9人。道(dao)觀(guan)在宮(gong)觀(guan)建設的(de)同時努力提高(gao)宮(gong)觀(guan)管理(li)水(shui)平,按照(zhao)創建“和諧寺觀(guan)教堂”的(de)標準,建立(li)了《學習制(zhi)度(du)》、《消防(fang)衛(wei)生制(zhi)度(du)》、《教職員崗位制(zhi)度(du)》、《清園制(zhi)度(du)》等(deng)一系列管理(li)制(zhi)度(du)。
真(zhen)武觀(guan)(guan),按(an)道教(jiao)宮觀(guan)(guan)規制以自(zi)然原始(shi)的(de)生態(tai)風水布局(ju),殿堂雄偉、環廊(lang)精雕、環境幽雅、神(shen)像莊嚴,達到了精、巧、秀、神(shen),是常熟道教(jiao)星空上冉(ran)冉(ran)升起(qi)的(de)一顆新星,它必將(jiang)成為與蘇(su)州(zhou)玄妙觀(guan)(guan)、蘇(su)州(zhou)城(cheng)隍廟、蘇(su)州(zhou)工業園區(qu)玉皇(huang)宮、吳中區(qu)上真(zhen)觀(guan)(guan)齊名(ming)(ming)的(de)蘇(su)州(zhou)著(zhu)名(ming)(ming)宮觀(guan)(guan)。