肇(zhao)慶古城墻(qiang)蜿蜒2800多米(mi),巍然屹立,位于城墻(qiang)西北段最(zui)高(gao)處的(de)披云(yun)樓高(gao)高(gao)聳立。青磚壘成(cheng)的(de)斑駁(bo)城墻(qiang)和(he)鉆(zhan)出墻(qiang)縫的(de)頑強小草(cao),向人們訴說著(zhu)千(qian)年(nian)的(de)歷(li)史滄(cang)桑和(he)這(zhe)個國家級歷(li)史文化名城的(de)變遷。
宋(song)代的肇慶古城(cheng)(cheng)墻,其城(cheng)(cheng)墻一共開有四(si)門(men)(men):東曰(yue)宋(song)崇、西曰(yue)鎮(zhen)西、南曰(yue)端溪、北曰(yue)朝天。因此在城(cheng)(cheng)墻的周邊有四(si)個名(ming)稱分(fen)別為“東門(men)(men)”“西門(men)(men)”“南門(men)(men)”“北門(men)(men)”的公共汽車站。
城(cheng)門(men)(men)(men)之(zhi)上各(ge)有城(cheng)門(men)(men)(men)樓(lou)1座(zuo),四門(men)(men)(men)之(zhi)外有甕城(cheng),城(cheng)墻四角各(ge)有角樓(lou)1座(zuo),城(cheng)外還有護(hu)城(cheng)河(he)。明成化五(wu)年(nian)(1469年(nian)),知府李璲(sui)增(zeng)厚了部分城(cheng)墻,并(bing)親自題(ti)書四門(men)(men)(men)石(shi)匾額(e),改東門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)慶云、西(xi)門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)景星、南(nan)門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)南(nan)薰、北門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)朝天(tian)。
現(xian)古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)周長2801.2米(mi)(mi)(mi),其中(zhong)(zhong)東段403.4米(mi)(mi)(mi)、西(xi)(xi)段376.9米(mi)(mi)(mi)、南(nan)(nan)段992.3米(mi)(mi)(mi)、北(bei)(bei)段1028.6米(mi)(mi)(mi)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)寬8米(mi)(mi)(mi)至(zhi)18米(mi)(mi)(mi),兩邊砌磚(zhuan)(zhuan),中(zhong)(zhong)間(jian)(jian)填土,磚(zhuan)(zhuan)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)厚60厘米(mi)(mi)(mi)至(zhi)120厘米(mi)(mi)(mi)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)外圍有(you)(you)28個(ge)突(tu)出的(de)(de)敵(di)臺(tai)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)磚(zhuan)(zhuan)有(you)(you)9種不同(tong)的(de)(de)規格,是(shi)歷(li)史上多(duo)次(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)葺(qi)的(de)(de)見證。當時為(wei)御敵(di)兵(bing)(bing),筑土墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang),規模“僅(jin)容(rong)廨宇”。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)歷(li)代(dai)有(you)(you)擴大(da)和修(xiu)(xiu)整(zheng)。宋政和三年(nian)(1113年(nian)),知州鄭敦義將(jiang)土城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)擴大(da),筑為(wei)磚(zhuan)(zhuan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),開4門(men)(men),東曰宋崇,西(xi)(xi)曰鎮南(nan)(nan),南(nan)(nan)曰端溪,北(bei)(bei)曰朝天。4門(men)(men)之(zhi)(zhi)外各有(you)(you)半月(yue)形子城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),稱月(yue)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。月(yue)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)各開一(yi)門(men)(men),稱廓門(men)(men),月(yue)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)(zhi)上各有(you)(you)小樓(lou)一(yi)座。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)四角亦各有(you)(you)角樓(lou)一(yi)座,北(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)西(xi)(xi)段有(you)(you)披(pi)云(yun)樓(lou),南(nan)(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)東段有(you)(you)文昌閣。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上有(you)(you)空心炮(pao)臺(tai)6座,小炮(pao)臺(tai)17座,兵(bing)(bing)房13間(jian)(jian),城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)外有(you)(you)濠塹,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)有(you)(you)內(nei)濠。明(ming)(ming)洪武元(yuan)年(nian)(1368年(nian)),由江西(xi)(xi)行省郎中(zhong)(zhong)攝府(fu)(fu)事黃德明(ming)(ming)主持(chi)了(le)首(shou)次(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)葺(qi)。明(ming)(ming)成化年(nian)間(jian)(jian),又(you)先后(hou)6次(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)葺(qi),增加(jia)了(le)串樓(lou)810間(jian)(jian),加(jia)厚了(le)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)厚度,并刻了(le)四門(men)(men)石匾額,東門(men)(men)曰慶(qing)云(yun)、西(xi)(xi)門(men)(men)曰景星、南(nan)(nan)門(men)(men)曰南(nan)(nan)薰、北(bei)(bei)門(men)(men)曰朝天。明(ming)(ming)清(qing)(qing)以來(lai),先后(hou)10多(duo)次(ci)修(xiu)(xiu)整(zheng),其中(zhong)(zhong)規模較大(da)的(de)(de)有(you)(you):崇禎十四年(nian)(1614年(nian)),肇慶(qing)府(fu)(fu)總督張鏡心將(jiang)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)體(ti)增高3.5尺,改建(jian)4門(men)(men)月(yue)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。清(qing)(qing)順(shun)治八年(nian)(1651年(nian)),總兵(bing)(bing)許爾顯(xian),知府(fu)(fu)張之(zhi)(zhi)璧增建(jian)炮(pao)臺(tai)6座,窩鋪148間(jian)(jian),水城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)炮(pao)臺(tai)2所,拆除(chu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)附近的(de)(de)房屋,增修(xiu)(xiu)樓(lou)堞等。
肇慶(qing)(qing)古(gu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)始(shi)建于宋(song)(song)皇佑年中(1053年)。雖經過(guo)953年的風風雨(yu)雨(yu),但古(gu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)位置(zhi)與周長始(shi)終未變。像肇慶(qing)(qing)古(gu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)這(zhe)樣主體和(he)城(cheng)周基本(ben)完整的宋(song)(song)代磚城(cheng)墻(qiang),是廣東(dong)僅有,全(quan)國(guo)極少(shao)見的。
史載廣西壯族首(shou)領(ling)儂智(zhi)高(gao)反(fan)宋(song)(song),兵鋒直逼端州(zhou),端州(zhou)太守丁寶臣因無城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)防守,棄城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)逃跑(pao),被(bei)朝廷(ting)撤職。狄青(qing)平(ping)定儂智(zhi)高(gao)后(hou)(1053年(nian)(nian)(nian)),肇(zhao)慶始筑(zhu)土城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)。宋(song)(song)政和三年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1113年(nian)(nian)(nian))郡守鄭敦義(yi)將土城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)擴大,筑(zhu)為(wei)磚城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),開四(si)門(men):東曰"宋(song)(song)崇(chong)",西曰"鎮西",南曰"端溪(xi)",北曰"朝天"。宋(song)(song)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)建(jian)(jian)成(cheng)之后(hou),經歷250多(duo)年(nian)(nian)(nian),到明洪武(wu)元年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1368年(nian)(nian)(nian))才作首(shou)次(ci)修(xiu)葺。明成(cheng)化元年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1465年(nian)(nian)(nian))至清同治十(shi)(shi)一年(nian)(nian)(nian)的407年(nian)(nian)(nian)間,先后(hou)修(xiu)葺了20次(ci),其中成(cheng)化十(shi)(shi)六(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1480年(nian)(nian)(nian))知府(fu)李在披云樓護城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)濠(hao)的近濠(hao)處(chu)增建(jian)(jian)了樓下磚城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)堵(du),加(jia)大了部分城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)的厚(hou)度(du)。并且(qie)刻(ke)了四(si)門(men)的石匾額,改東門(men)為(wei)"慶云",西門(men)為(wei)"景星",南門(men)為(wei)"南薰",北門(men)仍(reng)為(wei)"朝天"。崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)四(si)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1641年(nian)(nian)(nian))肇(zhao)慶府(fu)總(zong)督張鏡心主持(chi)(chi),對古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)作了更大規模的修(xiu)葺,把城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)增高(gao)了3尺(chi)5寸(cun),使城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)之高(gao)度(du)增至2丈5尺(chi)5寸(cun)。同時,改建(jian)(jian)了四(si)門(men)的月城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),增筑(zhu)了城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)馬路。清代,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)多(duo)次(ci)在戰火(huo)中損(sun)毀,為(wei)加(jia)強城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)池的防衛。清順治八(ba)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1651年(nian)(nian)(nian))總(zong)兵許爾顯、知府(fu)張之璧在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上增建(jian)(jian)炮(pao)臺6座、窩鋪148間、水(shui)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)炮(pao)臺2所(suo),拆除離(li)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)4尺(chi)以內的房屋(wu),增置(zhi)修(xiu)葺樓堞。此后(hou)直至民國初年(nian)(nian)(nian),城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)池保持(chi)(chi)完(wan)好。
1915年(nian),乙卯(mao)洪災(zai),城(cheng)垣(yuan)抵御了洪災(zai),使城(cheng)內仍安然無(wu)恙。但城(cheng)垣(yuan)因此受(shou)到損害(hai)。1916年(nian),肇陽羅鎮(zhen)守使李(li)耀漢即(ji)撥款修葺城(cheng)墻,浚治東門(men)外的濠(hao)道。從1924年(nian)至1926年(nian),將城(cheng)墻上的城(cheng)門(men)樓(lou)、雉角樓(lou)、文昌閣、月城(cheng)炮臺,城(cheng)墻除(chu)披云樓(lou)段外全部(bu)拆低了約7市尺,并(bing)填(tian)塞(sai)城(cheng)門(men),修成斜坡以利交通。
宋(song)城(cheng)內(nei)歷(li)史上曾(ceng)有過端州府衙(ya)、兩廣(guang)總(zong)督府、端溪書院、校(xiao)場、廣(guang)濟倉和商業(ye)街市(shi)(shi)等。按照我市(shi)(shi)名城(cheng)保護規(gui)劃(hua)(hua)和文(wen)化建(jian)設規(gui)劃(hua)(hua),對(dui)古城(cheng)墻將分期進行整體(ti)恢復和保護。與(yu)此同時(shi),對(dui)宋(song)城(cheng)內(nei)和周邊地區,將加大整治力度,保護好并(bing)逐步恢復有關文(wen)物遺址。
肇慶"宋文化(hua)"景點(dian)之(zhi)肇慶古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),端(duan)州區的古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),始(shi)建于宋政和三年(nian)(1113年(nian)),周長2800多米,高6.5一10米,寬(kuan)8.5一18米。城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)外(wai)皮砌磚(zhuan),內為(wei)夯土。宋代的城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)開(kai)四門(men):東曰(yue)宋崇、西曰(yue)鎮南、南曰(yue)端(duan)溪、北曰(yue)朝(chao)天。城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)之(zhi)上各有城(cheng)(cheng)門(men)樓(lou)1座(zuo),四門(men)之(zhi)外(wai)有甕城(cheng)(cheng),城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)四角各有角樓(lou)1座(zuo),城(cheng)(cheng)外(wai)還有護城(cheng)(cheng)河。明清兩代歷經近(jin)20次修聾。
肇慶古城墻始于宋朝建(jian)成,并投入(ru)軍事使(shi)用,在明(ming)朝、清朝兩代歷(li)經(jing)近20次修聾(long)。期間雷(lei)雹洪災,風吹雨打(da),然而主(zhu)體保持完好(hao)。
中華民國(guo)十三(san)年至十五年(1924-1926年),城(cheng)(cheng)墻上(shang)的城(cheng)(cheng)門樓、角樓、雉堞、甕城(cheng)(cheng)被(bei)全部(bu)拆毀,用以填塞城(cheng)(cheng)
門和護城河以利交通,使城墻遭到極大的(de)破壞。
1924年-1926年,城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)上的(de)城(cheng)(cheng)門樓(lou)、角樓(lou)、雉堞、甕城(cheng)(cheng)被全部拆毀,用以填塞城(cheng)(cheng)門和(he)護城(cheng)(cheng)河(he)以利交通(tong),使(shi)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)遭到極大的(de)破壞。
1987年(nian)以(yi)后(hou),肇慶市(shi)政府(fu)為保護(hu)名城(cheng)(cheng)的(de)標(biao)志性建(jian)筑(zhu),曾多次撥專款搶修北(bei)段城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang),恢復了"朝天(tian)(tian)門"、墩臺和(he)雉堞,并重建(jian)了披云樓,使肇慶古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)得以(yi)重現。但(dan)到今天(tian)(tian),宋(song)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)除了北(bei)側(ce)一(yi)段,四周(zhou)仍處在(zai)(zai)后(hou)世建(jian)筑(zhu)的(de)包圍之中。如何(he)使城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)擺脫(tuo)包圍,恢復本來面目。肇慶市(shi)有關部門在(zai)(zai)開通北(bei)側(ce)宋(song)城(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)路(lu)以(yi)后(hou),又投入巨資建(jian)設(she)宋(song)城(cheng)(cheng)二路(lu),使之與宋(song)城(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)路(lu)連接,將北(bei)側(ce)首(shou)先展現給(gei)世人。
1987年至(zhi)于1996年間,肇(zhao)慶(qing)(qing)市人(ren)民(min)(min)政府為(wei)保護(hu)名城的標志(zhi)性建(jian)筑,發展旅游事業,曾多次撥專款搶(qiang)修北(bei)段城墻,本著“整舊(jiu)(jiu)如舊(jiu)(jiu)”、“恢(hui)(hui)復原貌”的修繕原則(ze),恢(hui)(hui)復“朝天(tian)門(men)”、墩臺和雉堞,并重建(jian)了披云樓,使肇(zhao)慶(qing)(qing)古城墻得(de)以(yi)重現,肇(zhao)慶(qing)(qing)國(guo)家歷史文化名城得(de)以(yi)再度輝煌(huang)。其中(zhong)歷史價(jia)值(zhi)較高(gao)的是宋(song)城路一帶(dai)城墻的北(bei)段,在其內部為(wei)廣(guang)東(dong)肇(zhao)慶(qing)(qing)中(zhong)學初中(zhong)部和肇(zhao)慶(qing)(qing)市第一人(ren)民(min)(min)醫院舊(jiu)(jiu)址。
解(jie)放后,人民(min)政府(fu)依法保護(hu)和分期(qi)維(wei)修城墻,逐(zhu)步整治周邊(bian)環境,使其雄(xiong)姿再現(xian)。它是歷(li)史(shi)文(wen)化名城肇(zhao)慶較具標志(zhi)性的(de)建筑,1989年(nian)被廣東省(sheng)人民(min)政府(fu)公(gong)布為(wei)省(sheng)重(zhong)點文(wen)物保護(hu)單位,2001年(nian)被國務院公(gong)布為(wei)全國重(zhong)點文(wen)物保護(hu)單位。