太極宮(gong)，是隋(sui)唐長(chang)安城(cheng)宮(gong)城(cheng)，與大(da)明宮(gong)、興(xing)慶宮(gong)統稱(cheng)(cheng)三(san)大(da)內(nei)(nei)。位(wei)于(yu)長(chang)安城(cheng)中軸(zhou)線(xian)北(bei)部(bu)，始建于(yu)隋(sui)文帝(di)開皇二(er)年(nian)（582年(nian)），隋(sui)稱(cheng)(cheng)大(da)興(xing)宮(gong)，唐睿宗景(jing)云元年(nian)（710年(nian)）改稱(cheng)(cheng)太極宮(gong)。因(yin)其為唐帝(di)國的正宮(gong)，故又稱(cheng)(cheng)“京(jing)大(da)內(nei)(nei)”，唐高宗時(shi)期修大(da)明宮(gong)后改稱(cheng)(cheng)太極宮(gong)為“西內(nei)(nei)”。太極宮(gong)之南為皇城(cheng)，北(bei)倚長(chang)安北(bei)墻，北(bei)墻外為西內(nei)(nei)苑，內(nei)(nei)苑之北(bei)為禁苑（隋(sui)大(da)興(xing)苑），東(dong)西兩側(ce)分別是太子(zi)所居住(zhu)的東(dong)宮(gong)與掖庭宮(gong)。
太(tai)極宮是都城長安第一處大(da)的(de)宮殿(dian)(dian)群，內有別殿(dian)(dian)、亭、觀三(san)十(shi)五所，構(gou)成都城長安一組富麗堂(tang)皇(huang)的(de)宮殿(dian)(dian)建筑。其中分(fen)布著許多(duo)著名的(de)宮殿(dian)(dian)建筑，太(tai)極殿(dian)(dian)、兩儀殿(dian)(dian)、承慶(qing)殿(dian)(dian)、武德殿(dian)(dian)、甘露殿(dian)(dian)、凌煙閣(ge)等(deng)等(deng)。
太極宮遺址位于西安市核心區(qu)內(nei)，全為(wei)現(xian)代(dai)建筑所覆壓(ya)，尚無條件進行考古發掘。據勘測及(ji)文(wen)獻記載可知，宮城（包(bao)括東(dong)宮及(ji)掖庭宮）東(dong)西寬2830．3米，南(nan)北長1492．1米。宮城城墻為(wei)夯(hang)土(tu)板筑，墻壁高三(san)丈五尺（合10．3米），墻基寬一般在(zai)18米左(zuo)右，只(zhi)有東(dong)城墻部分的(de)寬度是(shi)14米多。
太極宮建于隋初。隋稱大興宮，唐睿宗景云元年（710年），改稱太極宮。因其為唐京的正宮，故又稱京大內。唐太極宮實際上是太極宮、東宮、掖庭宮的總稱，位于唐長安城中央的最北部。據考古實測并參考文獻記載可知(zhi)，宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)東(dong)(dong)西(xi)(xi)寬(kuan)(kuan)2830．3米(mi)，南(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)長(chang)(chang)1492．1米(mi)。其中掖庭宮(gong)(gong)(gong)寬(kuan)(kuan)。702．5米(mi)，太極宮(gong)(gong)(gong)寬(kuan)(kuan)1285米(mi)，東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)寬(kuan)(kuan)832．3米(mi)，是(shi)一東(dong)(dong)西(xi)(xi)長(chang)(chang)，南(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)短的(de)長(chang)(chang)方形。宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)北(bei)(bei)墻(qiang)(qiang)即是(shi)外(wai)郭城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)北(bei)(bei)墻(qiang)(qiang)的(de)一部分，西(xi)(xi)墻(qiang)(qiang)則與今西(xi)(xi)安(an)(an)(an)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)西(xi)(xi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)在(zai)同一直線上，其南(nan)(nan)段(duan)為西(xi)(xi)安(an)(an)(an)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西(xi)(xi)墻(qiang)(qiang)的(de)北(bei)(bei)部所壓；南(nan)(nan)墻(qiang)(qiang)則在(zai)今西(xi)(xi)安(an)(an)(an)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)西(xi)(xi)五路以南(nan)(nan)80米(mi)處，今之“西(xi)(xi)五臺”恰在(zai)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)(nan)墻(qiang)(qiang)之上；東(dong)(dong)墻(qiang)(qiang)的(de)位置在(zai)今西(xi)(xi)安(an)(an)(an)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)革命公(gong)園(yuan)的(de)西(xi)(xi)端(duan)，向(xiang)北(bei)(bei)經尚平路一帶。宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)(nan)面隔(ge)橫(heng)街與皇城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)相望(wang)，北(bei)(bei)面為’西(xi)(xi)內(nei)苑，東(dong)(dong)墻(qiang)(qiang)外(wai)為興安(an)(an)(an)門(men)街，西(xi)(xi)墻(qiang)(qiang)外(wai)為芳林門(men)街，宮(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中太極宮(gong)(gong)(gong)、東(dong)(dong)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)、掖庭官南(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang)(qiang)長(chang)(chang)度(du)“相齊”，即南(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)宮(gong)(gong)(gong)墻(qiang)(qiang)長(chang)(chang)度(du)相同。這比較外(wai)郭城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)高一丈八尺（合5。3米(mi)），墻(qiang)(qiang)基寬(kuan)(kuan)9米(mi)一12米(mi)來看，構筑得更為堅固高大。
十個宮門
太極宮東(dong)、西、南、北(bei)四面共開(kai)有(you)十(shi)個(ge)城門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)。宮城的(de)南面有(you)五個(ge)門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，中(zhong)間是(shi)承天(tian)門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，東(dong)側(ce)是(shi)長樂門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，次東(dong)永春門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)。承天(tian)門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)之西為廣運門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，次西永安門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)；西面和北(bei)面各開(kai)有(you)二個(ge)城門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，西為嘉(jia)猷門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)、通(tong)明門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，也(ye)是(shi)掖庭宮的(de)東(dong)門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)；北(bei)為玄武門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)、安禮(li)門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)；東(dong)面通(tong)向東(dong)宮只開(kai)有(you)一個(ge)城門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，名(ming)通(tong)訓(xun)門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)，也(ye)就是(shi)東(dong)宮的(de)西門(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)(men)。
東宮南(nan)北尚開有四個城門(men)，南(nan)面三門(men)，為廣運門(men)、重明門(men)、永春門(men)；北面一門(men)名(ming)玄德門(men)。
掖庭(ting)宮(gong)因為宮(gong)女所(suo)居，故只(zhi)開東西(xi)門(men)，不(bu)開南北門(men)，西(xi)面門(men)只(zhi)稱(cheng)西(xi)門(men)，無他名。
正門——承天門
在所有的(de)這些城(cheng)門(men)當中，最重要(yao)的(de)莫過于南墻正(zheng)中的(de)承天門(men)了。
承(cheng)天門(men)(men)的門(men)(men)址(zhi)在今天蓮湖公園蓮湖池南岸偏西(xi)處，中(zhong)科院(yuan)考古研究所西(xi)安唐(tang)(tang)城發(fa)掘隊(dui)1963年發(fa)表的《唐(tang)(tang)代長安城考古紀略(lve)》中(zhong)寫道(dao)，門(men)(men)的基(ji)址(zhi)大部分已(yi)(yi)被挖土破(po)壞。經考古探測其東西(xi)殘存部分尚長41.7米(mi)，已(yi)(yi)發(fa)現(xian)三門(men)(men)道(dao)。中(zhong)間(jian)門(men)(men)道(dao)寬8.5米(mi)，西(xi)側(ce)門(men)(men)道(dao)寬6.2米(mi)，東側(ce)門(men)(men)道(dao)寬6.4米(mi)，門(men)(men)道(dao)的進深為19米(mi)。門(men)(men)址(zhi)底下鋪(pu)有(you)石條和石板，建筑極(ji)其堅固(gu)。由于(yu)門(men)(men)址(zhi)東側(ce)已(yi)(yi)被破(po)壞，向東是否還有(you)門(men)(men)道(dao)，已(yi)(yi)不得知。考古發(fa)掘后，
門(men)(men)上有(you)高大(da)的樓觀，門(men)(men)外(wai)左右有(you)東(dong)西朝堂，門(men)(men)前(qian)有(you)廣三百(bai)(bai)(bai)步的宮廷(ting)廣場，南面直(zhi)對朱雀門(men)(men)、明德門(men)(men)，寬約(yue)150米一155米的南北直(zhi)線(xian)大(da)街(jie)，位(wei)置十分重要。承天門(men)(men)為(wei)太(tai)極宮的正門(men)(men)，是封(feng)建皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)舉行(xing)“外(wai)朝”大(da)典之(zhi)處(chu)。如元旦、冬至，設宴(yan)陳樂都在此(ci)處(chu)進行(xing)。朝廷(ting)遇有(you)赦(she)宥，或除(chu)舊布(bu)新(xin)，或接待萬國朝貢使者、四夷(yi)賓客，皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)也要御承天門(men)(men)聽政。像(xiang)唐太(tai)宗冊李治為(wei)皇(huang)(huang)太(tai)子、睿宗即皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)位(wei)、玄(xuan)宗受吐蕃宰相尚欽藏(zang)獻盟(meng)書等，都在此(ci)舉行(xing)大(da)朝會。承天門(men)(men)樓還是皇(huang)(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)歡宴(yan)群臣之(zhi)處(chu)。先天二年（713年）九月己卯，玄(xuan)宗宴(yan)王公(gong)百(bai)(bai)(bai)僚于承天門(men)(men)，并向樓下拋撒金錢，讓百(bai)(bai)(bai)官爭拾。
北門——玄武門
太極宮的(de)北門玄(xuan)武(wu)門，亦(yi)以其重(zhong)(zhong)要的(de)政(zheng)治、軍事(shi)地位稱(cheng)雄當時。其地居龍首(shou)原余坡，地勢較高，俯視宮城(cheng)，如在(zai)掌握：是(shi)宮城(cheng)北面的(de)重(zhong)(zhong)要門戶。唐武(wu)德九(jiu)年(nian)（626年(nian)）六月四(si)日，．秦王李(li)世(shi)民誅殺太子(zi)李(li)建(jian)成、齊王李(li)元吉(ji)的(de)“玄(xuan)武(wu)門之變”就發生在(zai)這里。貞(zhen)觀十二年(nian)（638年(nian)），太宗李(li)世(shi)民又下令(ling)，于玄(xuan)武(wu)門置(zhi)左右屯營，以諸(zhu)衛將(jiang)軍領之，其兵名之飛騎(qi)(qi)，后經不斷擴充，從百(bai)騎(qi)(qi)、千騎(qi)(qi)到萬騎(qi)(qi)，武(wu)則天垂拱(gong)元年(nian)改(gai)為左右羽林軍。
貞觀十四年(nian)（640年(nian)），太宗曾于(yu)玄武門宴群臣(chen)及河源(yuan)王諾曷缽，“奏倡優百(bai)戲(xi)之(zhi)(zhi)樂(le)”；唐中(zhong)宗景龍三年(nian)（709年(nian)）二(er)月己丑，中(zhong)宗登(deng)玄武門樓觀宮(gong)女分朋(peng)拔河為(wei)(wei)戲(xi)，并“遣宮(gong)女為(wei)(wei)市肆，鬻賣(mai)眾物，令(ling)宰臣(chen)及公卿(qing)為(wei)(wei)商賈，與(yu)之(zhi)(zhi)交易，因為(wei)(wei)忿爭(zheng)，言(yan)辭猬褻。上與(yu)后觀之(zhi)(zhi)，以為(wei)(wei)笑樂(le)”。
三朝布局
太極宮(gong)(gong)宮(gong)(gong)內(nei)(nei)布局也非常講究，嚴(yan)格按(an)照(zhao)古代宮(gong)(gong)室建(jian)筑原則(ze)執(zhi)行。宮(gong)(gong)內(nei)(nei)主體建(jian)筑采(cai)用“前(qian)朝(chao)(chao)后寢”的原則(ze)，以(yi)朱明門(men)、肅(su)章門(men)、虔化(hua)(hua)門(men)等(deng)宮(gong)(gong)院墻門(men)為界(jie)，把宮(gong)(gong)內(nei)(nei)劃分(fen)(fen)為“前(qian)朝(chao)(chao)”和“內(nei)(nei)廷”前(qian)后兩個(ge)部分(fen)(fen)。朱明門(men)、虔化(hua)(hua)門(men)以(yi)外(wai)屬于“前(qian)朝(chao)(chao)”部分(fen)(fen)，以(yi)內(nei)(nei)則(ze)為“內(nei)(nei)廷”部分(fen)(fen)。“前(qian)朝(chao)(chao)”部分(fen)(fen)又按(an)照(zhao)《周禮》“三(san)朝(chao)(chao)制(zhi)度”進行布局。
外朝——承天門
承(cheng)天門(men)及(ji)東(dong)西兩殿為外朝，是“舉大(da)典，詢眾庶(shu)之(zhi)處”；
中朝——太極殿
以太極殿(dian)(dian)為中朝(chao)，是皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)主要聽政視(shi)朝(chao)之處，每逢朔（初一(yi)）、望（十五）之日(ri)，皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)均臨此殿(dian)(dian)會見群臣(chen)(chen)，視(shi)朝(chao)聽政。另外(wai)，皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)登(deng)基，冊(ce)封皇(huang)后、太子、諸(zhu)王、公(gong)主大(da)典及宴請(qing)朝(chao)貢使節等也多(duo)在(zai)(zai)此殿(dian)(dian)舉行。高宗(zong)以后，皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)多(duo)移(yi)居大(da)明宮(gong)和(he)興慶宮(gong)，但每遇登(deng)基或殯(bin)葬(zang)告祭等大(da)禮，如德宗(zong)、順宗(zong)、憲宗(zong)、敬(jing)宗(zong)即位，代宗(zong)、德宗(zong)葬(zang)儀仍移(yi)于此殿(dian)(dian)進(jin)行，它在(zai)(zai)長(chang)安三內諸(zhu)殿(dian)(dian)中地(di)位最尊。為行事(shi)方(fang)便，在(zai)(zai)太極殿(dian)(dian)的東側設有(you)門下內省、宏(hong)文(wen)館、史館，西(xi)側設有(you)中書(shu)內省、舍(she)人院，為宰相和(he)皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)近臣(chen)(chen)辦公(gong)的處所，以備皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)隨時顧(gu)問和(he)根據皇(huang)帝(di)(di)(di)旨意撰寫(xie)文(wen)書(shu)詔令；
內朝——兩儀殿
以內(nei)(nei)(nei)廷地(di)區的兩(liang)(liang)儀殿(dian)為(wei)內(nei)(nei)(nei)朝，是(shi)帝王與宗人(ren)集議及退接大(da)(da)夫之處。兩(liang)(liang)儀殿(dian)因(yin)在禁內(nei)(nei)(nei)，只有少數大(da)(da)臣可(ke)以入內(nei)(nei)(nei)和皇帝商(shang)談國事，故(gu)舉止較(jiao)為(wei)隨便，這(zhe)里(li)也(ye)經(jing)常是(shi)太宗歡宴(yan)大(da)(da)臣與貢使(shi)之處，太宗多(duo)次在此(ci)殿(dian)宴(yan)請五(wu)品(pin)以上(shang)官員，它(ta)是(shi)太極宮內(nei)(nei)(nei)第(di)二大(da)(da)殿(dian)。
兩儀(yi)殿的東側有萬(wan)春(chun)殿，西側有千秋殿。
太極殿后為(wei)朱明門，其北為(wei)兩(liang)儀門，朱明門與兩(liang)儀門之間的橫(heng)街即(ji)是朝、寢之界。
寢區內又(you)被(bei)一條橫(heng)(heng)街(jie)（永巷(xiang)(xiang)）分(fen)為前后兩排宮殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，由于這(zhe)部(bu)分(fen)是(shi)寢宮，防衛更(geng)加嚴密，永巷(xiang)(xiang)中加設(she)了四道橫(heng)(heng)門(men)(men)(men)：東(dong)橫(heng)(heng)門(men)(men)(men)、西(xi)橫(heng)(heng)門(men)(men)(men)、日華門(men)(men)(men)、月華門(men)(men)(men)。永巷(xiang)(xiang)南是(shi)皇帝生活區，即“帝寢”，永巷(xiang)(xiang)北是(shi)皇后妃子(zi)居(ju)住(zhu)區，即“后寢”，絕對禁止外臣進入(ru)。前排正中是(shi)兩儀殿(dian)(dian)(dian)建筑(zhu)群，橫(heng)(heng)街(jie)以北，正中是(shi)甘(gan)(gan)露門(men)(men)(men)，門(men)(men)(men)內是(shi)寢殿(dian)(dian)(dian)甘(gan)(gan)露殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。甘(gan)(gan)露殿(dian)(dian)(dian)左(zuo)右(you)有神龍殿(dian)(dian)(dian)和安仁殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，再向兩側還有大吉(ji)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、百福殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、承(cheng)慶殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，諸殿(dian)(dian)(dian)各有院落。
寢區以北(bei)是后(hou)苑，苑中西部有(you)(you)幾個大池，稱(cheng)東、西、南(nan)海池。圍繞三池布置有(you)(you)一些園林性質的殿宇(yu)，西北(bei)隅還有(you)(you)一組山池院，并(bing)設有(you)(you)千步廊等(deng)建筑。東部建有(you)(you)凌(ling)煙閣(ge)(ge)、功臣閣(ge)(ge)、紫(zi)云閣(ge)(ge)、凝(ning)云閣(ge)(ge)等(deng)一系列樓閣(ge)(ge)，凌(ling)煙閣(ge)(ge)內壁繪有(you)(you)唐太(tai)宗為功臣畫(hua)的畫(hua)像，以表達對開國(guo)功臣的追思(si)。
全宮在整個(ge)建(jian)筑(zhu)布(bu)局上(shang)(shang)仍然與整個(ge)長安城總體布(bu)局相一致，以中(zhong)軸(zhou)部位突出主要建(jian)筑(zhu)，承天門、太極殿(dian)、兩(liang)儀殿(dian)南北排(pai)列，處于(yu)全宮的(de)中(zhong)部，其(qi)他(ta)殿(dian)院與閣門分布(bu)于(yu)兩(liang)側(ce)，左右對稱。這就從建(jian)筑(zhu)布(bu)局手法上(shang)(shang)，突出了這些象征封(feng)建(jian)皇權統治的(de)殿(dian)門的(de)重要地位。
都(dou)城長安除主要政(zheng)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)太(tai)(tai)極(ji)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、兩儀殿(dian)(dian)(dian)之外，甘露(lu)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)是(shi)皇(huang)帝在內宮讀書(shu)之處，也(ye)是(shi)第三大殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。武德(de)(de)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，在隋(sui)代即(ji)較有名，它與東宮鄰接，隋(sui)文(wen)帝廢太(tai)(tai)子勇為庶人即(ji)在此殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宣詔，唐初(chu)(chu)李(li)(li)淵賜李(li)(li)世民居(ju)承乾殿(dian)(dian)(dian)后，又賜李(li)(li)元吉居(ju)武德(de)(de)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)，這更方便了他與太(tai)(tai)子李(li)(li)建成的溝通往來。先天(tian)元年（712年）李(li)(li)隆基即(ji)位之初(chu)(chu)，還曾在此殿(dian)(dian)(dian)聽政(zheng)，可見地位也(ye)不一(yi)般。
凌煙(yan)(yan)閣因功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)圖(tu)(tu)形(xing)于其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)而有(you)(you)名(ming)，它是功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)的(de)畫像閣。貞(zhen)觀(guan)十(shi)七(qi)年(nian)(nian)（643年(nian)(nian)），太(tai)宗曾為(wei)長孫(sun)無忌、杜如晦、魏(wei)徵等(deng)(deng)二(er)十(shi)四人(ren)圖(tu)(tu)形(xing)，表彰其(qi)政績以及輔弼之功(gong)(gong)。這就是所謂的(de)“凌煙(yan)(yan) 閣二(er)十(shi)四功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)”。其(qi)實唐(tang)代圖(tu)(tu)形(xing)功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)于此(ci)閣共有(you)(you)三次，除貞(zhen)觀(guan)年(nian)(nian)間的(de)一(yi)次外(wai)，代宗廣德元年(nian)(nian)（763年(nian)(nian)）七(qi)月，又(you)為(wei)功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)郭子儀、李晟(sheng)等(deng)(deng)畫像。到德宗貞(zhen)元五年(nian)(nian)（789年(nian)(nian)）九(jiu)月，總匯前代功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)褚(chu)遂良、李光弼等(deng)(deng)二(er)十(shi)七(qi)人(ren)圖(tu)(tu)像，在(zai)(zai)前代的(de)基礎上進(jin)行了新的(de)遴選。第三次是在(zai)(zai)宣宗大中(zhong)(zhong)二(er)年(nian)(nian)（848年(nian)(nian)）七(qi)月，繪唐(tang)初(chu)以來“堪上凌煙(yan)(yan)閣功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)”王蛙如、岑文(wen)本、李峴(xian)、馬周、馬遂等(deng)(deng)三十(shi)七(qi)人(ren)圖(tu)(tu)形(xing)，“立閣圖(tu)(tu)形(xing)，榮(rong)號凌煙(yan)(yan)”。圖(tu)(tu)形(xing)凌煙(yan)(yan)閣成為(wei)唐(tang)朝褒獎功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)的(de)一(yi)種重要形(xing)式。在(zai)(zai)陜西省麟游縣文(wen)化(hua)館還藏有(you)(you)宋人(ren)游師雄摹刻的(de)唐(tang)凌煙(yan)(yan)閣功(gong)(gong)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)畫像殘石，從中(zhong)(zhong)可以看出當年(nian)(nian)大唐(tang)帝國的(de)許(xu)多榮(rong)登(deng)此(ci)閣的(de)名(ming)臣(chen)(chen)(chen)。
太極(ji)宮(gong)的東西兩(liang)側分別為東宮(gong)與掖庭宮(gong)。兩(liang)宮(gong)面積均(jun)小(xiao)于太極(ji)宮(gong)，為縱長方形(xing)結構(gou)，建于隋初。
掖(ye)庭宮(gong)是(shi)(shi)宮(gong)女(nv)(nv)(nv)居住和犯罪官(guan)僚家屬(shu)婦(fu)女(nv)(nv)(nv)配沒人宮(gong)勞動之(zhi)(zhi)處(chu)。大致分(fen)三個(ge)區域，中(zhong)部(bu)為宮(gong)女(nv)(nv)(nv)居住區，其中(zhong)也包括(kuo)犯罪官(guan)僚家屬(shu)婦(fu)女(nv)(nv)(nv)配沒人宮(gong)勞動之(zhi)(zhi)處(chu)。掖(ye)庭宮(gong)的(de)(de)北部(bu)為太(tai)倉，西南(nan)部(bu)為內侍省(sheng)所在(zai)地。內侍省(sheng)是(shi)(shi)宦(huan)官(guan)機構，所謂“內侍奉，宣制令”q），掌管宮(gong)中(zhong)的(de)(de)一切大事小情。1978年5月，曾(ceng)在(zai)西安城(cheng)內西五臺以西，距今(jin)西安西城(cheng)墻240米處(chu)發現了(le)唐(tang)“光化二年（899年）歲次己未六月癸亥朔(shuo)二十(shi)七(qi)日(ri)己丑(chou)建”的(de)(de)《大唐(tang)重(zhong)修(xiu)內侍省(sheng)之(zhi)(zhi)碑(bei)》，位置恰(qia)在(zai)原掖(ye)庭宮(gong)的(de)(de)西南(nan)，從(cong)而證明這里(li)確曾(ceng)是(shi)(shi)內侍省(sheng)無(wu)疑。
東宮(gong)為太(tai)(tai)子居住之處，亦稱春宮(gong)、儲宮(gong)。從隋太(tai)(tai)子楊(yang)勇、楊(yang)廣到(dao)唐高祖時(shi)原太(tai)(tai)子李(li)建(jian)成、后(hou)太(tai)(tai)子李(li)世民及太(tai)(tai)宗時(shi)太(tai)(tai)子李(li)治等都居住在(zai)這(zhe)里，從玄宗以后(hou)，皇太(tai)(tai)子“但居于(yu)乘輿所幸別(bie)(bie)院”，才往往隨其父皇住在(zai)皇宮(gong)內別(bie)(bie)院。
東(dong)宮中(zhong)的最主要宮殿(dian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)明(ming)德殿(dian)。隋時稱(cheng)嘉德殿(dian)，唐初更名為(wei)(wei)(wei)顯(xian)德殿(dian)。后(hou)(hou)(hou)因(yin)中(zhong)宗李(li)顯(xian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)住東(dong)宮，避其名諱，改(gai)稱(cheng)明(ming)德殿(dian)。它(ta)為(wei)(wei)(wei)東(dong)宮第一(yi)正殿(dian)，是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)皇(huang)(huang)太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)接(jie)見群臣和舉行重大(da)政(zheng)治活動的地方。武德九年（626年）八月九日(ri)，太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)李(li)世民在高祖李(li)淵遜位后(hou)(hou)(hou)在此(ci)殿(dian)舉行登基儀式。當時太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)宗即(ji)在此(ci)殿(dian)聽(ting)政(zheng)，一(yi)直到貞觀三年（629年）四月，太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)上(shang)皇(huang)(huang)李(li)淵由太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)極(ji)宮遷居大(da)安宮后(hou)(hou)(hou)，太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)宗李(li)世民才去太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)極(ji)宮中(zhong)太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)極(ji)殿(dian)聽(ting)政(zheng)。另外(wai)，東(dong)宮中(zhong)的崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)也是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)處非(fei)常重要的政(zheng)殿(dian)。它(ta)建于太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)宗貞觀十三年（639年），本為(wei)(wei)(wei)皇(huang)(huang)太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)讀書(shu)之處。唐代(dai)(dai)在此(ci)設“崇(chong)賢館(guan)(guan)學士(shi)”，以(yi)(yi)侍(shi)講宮中(zhong)。崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)又是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)唐代(dai)(dai)的貴族(zu)學校。唐制規定：“崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)生二十人，以(yi)(yi)皇(huang)(huang)族(zu)中(zhong)緦麻(ma)以(yi)(yi)上(shang)親，皇(huang)(huang)太(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)(tai)后(hou)(hou)(hou)、皇(huang)(huang)后(hou)(hou)(hou)大(da)功以(yi)(yi)上(shang)親，宰相及散(san)官(guan)一(yi)品功臣，身食(shi)實(shi)封者(zhe)，京官(guan)職(zhi)事從(cong)三品中(zhong)書(shu)黃門侍(shi)郎之子(zi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)之”。另外(wai)，崇(chong)文館(guan)(guan)也是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)宮內秘(mi)籍圖(tu)書(shu)校理之處，是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)個(ge)大(da)型(xing)的皇(huang)(huang)家(jia)圖(tu)書(shu)館(guan)(guan)。
歲月靜好 
