瀏河天(tian)(tian)妃(fei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong),又名“天(tian)(tian)妃(fei)靈慈宮(gong)(gong)(gong)”,俗稱“娘(niang)娘(niang)廟(miao)”,為我國明代(dai)航海(hai)家鄭和下西洋的重要歷(li)史遺跡。始建于北宋宣和五年(公(gong)元1123年),元代(dai)至(zhi)正二年(公(gong)元1342年)移建于現址。據文獻記載,瀏河天(tian)(tian)妃(fei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)同湄(mei)洲媽祖廟(miao)、泉州天(tian)(tian)后宮(gong)(gong)(gong)、天(tian)(tian)津天(tian)(tian)后宮(gong)(gong)(gong)一起被(bei)統(tong)稱為大(da)陸元代(dai)“四大(da)媽祖廟(miao)”。瀏河天(tian)(tian)妃(fei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)因此成為江南地區最(zui)古老、最(zui)負盛名、最(zui)具獨(du)特(te)歷(li)史價值的媽祖廟(miao)。
據史料(liao)記載:當年(nian)鄭(zheng)和七次下(xia)西(xi)(xi)洋都在這(zhe)里(li)祭拜媽祖,以祈求(qiu)海(hai)(hai)上(shang)的平(ping)(ping)(ping)安(an),場面非常隆重(zhong)。鄭(zheng)和七次下(xia)西(xi)(xi)洋,每次從劉(liu)家港出海(hai)(hai)之前都要(yao)必(bi)先率船隊官兵把天(tian)妃宮(gong)修葺一(yi)新,在此進香祈求(qiu)朝(chao)拜海(hai)(hai)神(shen)娘娘,祈佑出海(hai)(hai)平(ping)(ping)(ping)安(an),而(er)每次平(ping)(ping)(ping)安(an)歸航(hang)時又要(yao)至(zhi)此朝(chao)拜謝神(shen),并供奉船模,并將記載七次下(xia)西(xi)(xi)洋經過的《通番(fan)事(shi)跡碑》立于天(tian)妃宮(gong)內。
有(you)的史料還記(ji)載鄭和把出使(shi)(shi)各國帶回(hui)的西域海棠,大紅牡丹、黃蕃薇等植于宮內。特別重要(yao)的是,《通番事跡碑》記(ji)載:宣德五年冬鄭和奉使(shi)(shi)第七次下西洋之前亦到此進香朝拜,修建該(gai)廟。
清道光(guang)四年(nian)(1843年(nian))林則徐任江(jiang)蘇巡撫時,曾重(zhong)修(xiu)天(tian)妃(fei)(fei)宮(gong)(gong)。1911年(nian)秋(qiu),正殿(dian)(dian)毀(hui)于(yu)大(da)火(huo),僅(jin)存后殿(dian)(dian)。建(jian)國后改做糧庫等設施。現存的(de)天(tian)妃(fei)(fei)宮(gong)(gong)后殿(dian)(dian)為(wei)清代所(suo)建(jian),1995年(nian)被(bei)列為(wei)江(jiang)蘇省重(zhong)點文物保護單(dan)位,為(wei)獲準(zhun)開放的(de)道教(jiao)活(huo)動點。2011年(nian)4月30日,瀏(liu)河天(tian)妃(fei)(fei)宮(gong)(gong)修(xiu)復,媽祖神象開光(guang)儀(yi)式在天(tian)妃(fei)(fei)宮(gong)(gong)隆重(zhong)舉行。