唐(tang)朝盛世(shi),廟宇擴(kuo)大,后因火災而毀。明朝時(shi),修一(yi)祖師正(zheng)殿,供祖師菩薩(sa)。至(zhi)清咸(xian)豐(feng)年(nian)間,募(mu)捐(juan)擴(kuo)修道(dao)(dao)觀大成(cheng)規模(mo),并正(zheng)式(shi)命名為“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀”。隨著歷(li)史的(de)變遷,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀僅存(cun)真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)殿,但已破舊。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀的(de)香火非常旺盛,每年(nian)的(de)農歷(li)春(chun)節、三(san)月二(er)十八、四月初四、六月二(er)十四等重(zhong)大香訊(xun)期間,更是人(ren)山人(ren)海,熱鬧非凡。為了滿(man)足信教群眾過宗(zong)教生(sheng)活(huo)的(de)需要(yao),有序(xu)地規范宗(zong)教活(huo)動。2008年(nian),經(jing)蘇州市道(dao)(dao)教協會申請,并報省宗(zong)教局(ju)批(pi)準,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀作(zuo)為寺觀教堂恢復重(zhong)建。2009年(nian)8月8日,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀舉(ju)行了奠基儀式(shi)。
經過兩年的建設,真武觀已(yi)初具規模。
2011年 8月20日(ri)上午,常熟(shu)真武觀隆重舉(ju)行(xing)落(luo)成典禮暨神(shen)像開光(guang)慶(qing)典。國(guo)家(jia)(jia)宗(zong)教(jiao)局(ju)(ju)副局(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)蔣堅永、一司司長(chang)(chang)(chang)徐遠杰,中央(yang)統(tong)戰(zhan)部(bu)二(er)局(ju)(ju)宗(zong)教(jiao)二(er)處處長(chang)(chang)(chang)石云,江蘇省(sheng)委(wei)(wei)(wei)統(tong)戰(zhan)部(bu)副部(bu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)、省(sheng)宗(zong)教(jiao)局(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)莫宗(zong)通,省(sheng)委(wei)(wei)(wei)統(tong)戰(zhan)部(bu)副巡視員陶(tao)勇、省(sheng)宗(zong)教(jiao)局(ju)(ju)副局(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)沈祖(zu)榮,蘇州(zhou)市(shi)委(wei)(wei)(wei)常委(wei)(wei)(wei)、統(tong)戰(zhan)部(bu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)周向群,蘇州(zhou)市(shi)政(zheng)府副市(shi)長(chang)(chang)(chang)黃欽,蘇州(zhou)市(shi)民(min)(min)宗(zong)局(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)金(jin)建(jian)立、副局(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)季云鋼,常熟(shu)市(shi)政(zheng)協主席張永泉、人(ren)大副主任(ren)聞永昌、副市(shi)長(chang)(chang)(chang)王建(jian)國(guo)、市(shi)委(wei)(wei)(wei)統(tong)戰(zhan)部(bu)部(bu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)王永明、民(min)(min)宗(zong)局(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)曹國(guo)良等(deng)領導;中國(guo)道教(jiao)協會副會長(chang)(chang)(chang)張繼禹(yu)、丁(ding)常云、唐誠青、賴保榮、林(lin)舟(zhou)、張鳳林(lin)、黃至杰、李(li)光(guang)富,秘(mi)書(shu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)王哲一,來自(zi)10個省(sheng)、自(zi)治(zhi)區(qu)、真轄市(shi)道教(jiao)協會和(he)道教(jiao)名山(shan)宮(gong)觀的負責(ze)人(ren),以及來自(zi)日(ri)本、港澳臺等(deng)國(guo)家(jia)(jia)和(he)地區(qu)同道、各界人(ren)士等(deng)應敫出席慶(qing)典。
慶典由蘇州(zhou)市(shi)道協副會長(chang)(chang)、常(chang)(chang)熟(shu)真武觀(guan)管(guan)委(wei)會主(zhu)任(ren)熊(xiong)建衛主(zhu)持。張鳳林、黃欽、王(wang)建國(guo)、曹(cao)國(guo)良等(deng)在典禮儀式上致辭,分別代表中道協、常(chang)(chang)熟(shu)市(shi)民(min)宗(zong)局和(he)蘇州(zhou)市(shi)、常(chang)(chang)熟(shu)市(shi)對真武觀(guan)的(de)落(luo)成(cheng)表示熱烈的(de)祝賀!丁常(chang)(chang)云道長(chang)(chang)為江蘇隆力奇(qi)生物科(ke)股(gu)份有(you)限公司董事長(chang)(chang)徐(xu)(xu)之(zhi)(zhi)偉先生頒發(fa)功德證書和(he)紀(ji)念品。蔣堅(jian)永、張繼禹、莫宗(zong)通(tong)、周(zhou)向群、楊世華、黃欽、張永泉、陶勇、金建立、石云、王(wang)建國(guo)、徐(xu)(xu)之(zhi)(zhi)偉周(zhou)向群、張永泉為真武觀(guan)揭牌(pai),12位(wei)道長(chang)(chang)為神像(xiang)開光。
恢復移地重建的真(zhen)武觀(guan)(guan),紫墻(qiang)黛瓦的殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)宇錯(cuo)落有(you)致,更顯群(qun)樓(lou)仙閣勝境。建筑(zhu)群(qun)占地50畝,建筑(zhu)面積6500平(ping)方米,分(fen)(fen)為(wei)東中西三路(lu)(lu)。在布局上,各(ge)建筑(zhu)物均(jun)坐北朝南縱(zong)向排列(lie)。中軸線(中路(lu)(lu))上,依(yi)次排列(lie)牌樓(lou)、靈官殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、真(zhen)武殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)和玉(yu)皇殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。東路(lu)(lu)偏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),依(yi)次排列(lie)觀(guan)(guan)音殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、元(yuan)辰殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。西路(lu)(lu)偏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),依(yi)次排列(lie)媽祖殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),藥王殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),在玉(yu)皇殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)東西兩側偏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)分(fen)(fen)別為(wei)財(cai)神殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、文昌殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。同(tong)時,觀(guan)(guan)內還有(you)辦公樓(lou)和道(dao)眾生活區(qu)。整座(zuo)宮觀(guan)(guan),四周走廊(lang)圍合成一座(zuo)規(gui)模恢宏的建筑(zhu)群(qun)。
寬敞的廣場上,聳立著一(yi)座宏(hong)偉的標志性牌樓,為(wei)六柱三門。牌樓正(zheng)(zheng)面正(zheng)(zheng)中額“琴川清(qing)都(dou)”,東(dong)西兩(liang)邊額“道冠古今”、“德參(can)天(tian)地”,正(zheng)(zheng)中額兩(liang)邊聯為(wei):天(tian)近(jin)元門上極斗牛之氣;云開(kai)黃道永依日(ri)月之光。背(bei)面正(zheng)(zheng)中額“瑞暎八方”,東(dong)西兩(liang)邊額“金聲(sheng)玉振”、“煙雨江(jiang)南”,正(zheng)(zheng)中額兩(liang)邊聯為(wei):移來福地千家戶,籍得武(wu)當一(yi)統(tong)天(tian)。
牌(pai)(pai)樓的(de)西邊(bian)有(you)五塊景觀墻,分別鐫(juan)刻有(you)福、祿、壽和太極、八(ba)卦(gua)圖的(de)磚(zhuan)雕。牌(pai)(pai)樓北面與(yu)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)殿(dian)(dian)之間(jian)的(de)地(di)上(shang)(shang)有(you)一(yi)幅八(ba)卦(gua)圖。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)殿(dian)(dian)(靈官殿(dian)(dian)),屋檐(yan)為歇山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)式(shi),正脊系(xi)龍吻脊,中(zhong)間(jian)塑(su)(su)團龍造(zao)型。兩側戧(chuang)脊上(shang)(shang),塑(su)(su)有(you)騎馬武(wu)士。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)花(hua)處左右對(dui)稱,塑(su)(su)道(dao)教(jiao)八(ba)仙人物圖。殿(dian)(dian)前擺放一(yi)對(dui)威武(wu)的(de)石獅。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)最上(shang)(shang)方(fang)懸(xuan)掛由(you)中(zhong)國(guo)道(dao)協會(hui)會(hui)長(chang)(chang)任法融(rong)題寫的(de)“真武(wu)觀”匾,山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)上(shang)(shang)方(fang)東(dong)(dong)懸(xuan)掛匾“道(dao)本(ben)通真”,由(you)中(zhong)國(guo)道(dao)教(jiao)協會(hui)副會(hui)長(chang)(chang)張繼禹(yu)題寫,山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)上(shang)(shang)方(fang)西懸(xuan)掛匾為“玄天著德”。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)東(dong)(dong)西兩邊(bian)拱門(men)上(shang)(shang)的(de)額分別是“環(huan)印(yin)法天”、“令寶尊元”。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)兩邊(bian)聯由(you)常熟(shu)書法家言恭達書:非(fei)玄武(wu)不足當也,捊(pou)眾星實環(huan)拱之。
山門(men)面闊三間(jian),占地(di)100平方米。入內(nei),殿(dian)中供奉一(yi)尊威(wei)風凜(lin)凜(lin)的(de)靈(ling)官青銅神像(xiang),重約1600斤 。靈(ling)官又(you)名王(wang)(wang)靈(ling)官,道教一(yi)般認為是(shi)宋徽宗(zong)時(shi)的(de)王(wang)(wang)善(shan),但也有說是(shi)唐(tang)太宗(zong)時(shi)的(de)王(wang)(wang)惡。據《列仙全傳》卷八記載:王(wang)(wang)靈(ling)官本名王(wang)(wang)善(shan),是(shi)湘陰(yin)城隍廟內(nei)的(de)城隍,后來成(cheng)為道教護法神。他(ta)的(de)地(di)位,與佛寺山門(men)殿(dian)內(nei)的(de)韋陀相同。
出山門(men)(men)殿,便是真(zhen)武(wu)殿。殿前東、西建有(you)功德亭、仙井亭。殿門(men)(men)上(shang)檐懸掛“真(zhen)武(wu)殿”匾(bian)。下(xia)懸三方橫匾(bian),中間(jian)由中國道教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)副會(hui)(hui)長(chang)(chang)、武(wu)當(dang)(dang)山道教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)會(hui)(hui)長(chang)(chang)、武(wu)當(dang)(dang)山住持李光富題寫的“帝(di)(di)(di)德常高”匾(bian)。左側(ce)為“恩(en)覃十部”,右側(ce)為“神威(wei)普(pu)照(zhao)”匾(bian)。殿內廊(lang)柱對聯由江蘇省道教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)會(hui)(hui)長(chang)(chang)楊世華書:眾妙無門(men)(men)是謂(wei)玄(xuan)之(zhi)主,群魔盡(jin)蕩乃謂(wei)武(wu)之(zhi)真(zhen)。該殿面(mian)闊五間(jian),占(zhan)地(di)300余(yu)平方米。殿正(zheng)中供奉真(zhen)武(wu)大(da)(da)帝(di)(di)(di)像。真(zhen)武(wu)大(da)(da)帝(di)(di)(di),又(you)稱玄(xuan)天上(shang)帝(di)(di)(di)、翊圣保(bao)德真(zhen)君、佑(you)圣真(zhen)君百(bai)天上(shang)帝(di)(di)(di),為道教(jiao)神仙中赫(he)赫(he)有(you)名的玉京尊神。道經(jing)中尊稱他為“鎮(zhen)天真(zhen)武(wu)靈應佑(you)圣帝(di)(di)(di)君”,簡稱“真(zhen)武(wu)帝(di)(di)(di)君”,民間(jian)稱蕩魔天尊、報(bao)恩(en)祖師、被發祖師。明(ming)朝(chao)以后,在全國影響極大(da)(da),近代民間(jian)信(xin)仰尤為普(pu)遍(bian)。真(zhen)武(wu)大(da)(da)帝(di)(di)(di)兩邊供奉周公、桃(tao)花女像. 真(zhen)武(wu)大(da)(da)帝(di)(di)(di)背面(mian)掛有(you)一幅(fu)“五龍捧圣”圖。
真(zhen)武殿(dian)北(bei)面為(wei)玉(yu)(yu)皇殿(dian)。殿(dian)前設置高出地(di)面的(de)露臺,四(si)周圍以(yi)花崗巖石欄。正中(zhong)的(de)寶鼎,鼎足而立。露臺前有(you)(you)暗八仙和白玉(yu)(yu)雙龍(long)壁(bi)。真(zhen)武殿(dian)為(wei)觀內主殿(dian),規模恢宏(hong)。重檐(yan)(yan)歇山(shan)式屋檐(yan)(yan),正脊塑(su)團龍(long)造型。戧脊塑(su)武士(shi)、仙鶴、靈獸(shou)等道(dao)教吉祥(xiang)物(wu)。上(shang)檐(yan)(yan)懸(xuan)(xuan)掛(gua)“玉(yu)(yu)皇殿(dian)“匾(bian)。下懸(xuan)(xuan)三(san)方橫匾(bian),中(zhong)間為(wei)“金闕玉(yu)(yu)京”,由(you)中(zhong)國道(dao)教協會(hui)副會(hui)長(chang)張鳳林題寫;左側為(wei)“道(dao)統諸天”,右(you)側為(wei)“法周上(shang)界”匾(bian)。該殿(dian)面闊七間,占(zhan)地(di)500余平方米(mi)。大殿(dian)一字排開,設有(you)(you)十八扇厚重的(de)落地(di)長(chang)窗。入內,但見(jian)紅(hong)柱(zhu)間懸(xuan)(xuan)掛(gua)各(ge)色幡條,氣氛莊嚴。兩根圓柱(zhu)上(shang)懸(xuan)(xuan)楹聯:足赤踏龜蛇(she)成萬法總(zong)歸三(san)尺劍,散發沖斗牛五云(yun)展出七星旗。大殿(dian)正中(zhong)塑(su)一尊金碧輝煌的(de)玉(yu)(yu)帝(di)(di)神像,題為(wei)“太(tai)上(shang)金闕至尊昊天玉(yu)(yu)皇上(shang)帝(di)(di)”。寶相莊嚴,氣勢非凡(fan)。玉(yu)(yu)帝(di)(di)兩旁塑(su)有(you)(you)金童玉(yu)(yu)女神像。東(dong)西(xi)兩壁(bi)間,各(ge)塑(su)六(liu)尊天將(jiang)守護(hu)。玉(yu)(yu)帝(di)(di)像背(bei)面塑(su)三(san)官(guan)大帝(di)(di)、太(tai)乙、雷祖像。
玉皇殿(dian)(dian)東為(wei)(wei)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)殿(dian)(dian),供(gong)(gong)奉(feng)(feng)比干(gan)、趙公明、關羽三尊財(cai)(cai)神(shen)像。財(cai)(cai)神(shen)為(wei)(wei)民間(jian)俗神(shen),人們追求美滿(man)富裕的生(sheng)活,于是,供(gong)(gong)奉(feng)(feng)的財(cai)(cai)神(shen)便應運(yun)而生(sheng)。各(ge)路(lu)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)資質各(ge)異:文(wen)(wen)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)有比干(gan)和(he)范蠡,武(wu)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)有趙公明和(he)關公。財(cai)(cai)神(shen)殿(dian)(dian)內供(gong)(gong)奉(feng)(feng)的財(cai)(cai)神(shen),以武(wu)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)趙公明為(wei)(wei)多。戴(dai)盔披甲,形象(xiang)威(wei)武(wu)。只有“維德”才能“生(sheng)財(cai)(cai)”,這(zhe)也是當今應該推崇的生(sheng)財(cai)(cai)之道(dao)。玉皇殿(dian)(dian)東為(wei)(wei)文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)(chang)殿(dian)(dian)。殿(dian)(dian)內供(gong)(gong)奉(feng)(feng)一(yi)(yi)大(da)三小共三尊神(shen)像。中間(jian)的主神(shen)為(wei)(wei)魁星(xing)(xing)文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)(chang)帝君(jun)。由于魁星(xing)(xing)主文(wen)(wen)運(yun),故備受讀書(shu)人頂禮(li)膜拜,希冀沾上(shang)文(wen)(wen)運(yun)科舉(ju)考試中魁。因(yin)此,和(he)土地(di)廟、關帝廟一(yi)(yi)樣,文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)(chang)殿(dian)(dian)和(he)文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)(chang)閣也遍(bian)布全(quan)國各(ge)地(di)。
真(zhen)武觀內(nei),道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)文化氛(fen)圍濃(nong)厚(hou)。東西兩邊環廊(lang)內(nei)掛有真(zhen)武靈驗圖,建有文化碑廊(lang),刻(ke)有老(lao)子像碑、顏真(zhen)卿書道(dao)(dao)德經(jing)碑等。觀內(nei)還有仙井亭等景(jing)點(dian)。
真武觀,現有道士9人(ren)。道觀在(zai)宮觀建設的同(tong)時努力提高宮觀管(guan)理(li)水(shui)平,按(an)照創建“和諧寺觀教(jiao)堂”的標準,建立(li)了《學習(xi)制度(du)(du)》、《消防衛生(sheng)制度(du)(du)》、《教(jiao)職(zhi)員(yuan)崗位(wei)制度(du)(du)》、《清(qing)園(yuan)制度(du)(du)》等一系列(lie)管(guan)理(li)制度(du)(du)。
真武觀,按道(dao)教(jiao)宮觀規制以自然原(yuan)始的(de)生態風水布(bu)局,殿堂雄偉、環廊精雕、環境幽雅、神(shen)像莊嚴,達(da)到了精、巧、秀、神(shen),是常(chang)熟道(dao)教(jiao)星(xing)空上(shang)冉冉升起的(de)一顆新星(xing),它必將成為與蘇(su)州玄妙(miao)觀、蘇(su)州城隍(huang)廟、蘇(su)州工業園區(qu)玉皇宮、吳中區(qu)上(shang)真觀齊名的(de)蘇(su)州著名宮觀。