興城古城是明代的寧遠衛城,在清代改為寧遠州城。城池始建于明宣德三年(1428),“周(zhou)(zhou)圍五里(li)九十六(liu)步,高(gao)三丈(zhang)(zhang),門(men)四,東(dong)(dong)曰(yue)春和,南(nan)曰(yue)延(yan)輝,西(xi)曰(yue)永寧,北曰(yue)威(wei)遠,鐘鼓樓(lou)在中街”。宣(xuan)德五年(1430)又增筑外(wai)城(cheng),外(wai)城(cheng)周(zhou)(zhou)圍九里(li)一百(bai)二(er)十四步,高(gao)如內城(cheng)。門(men)四,東(dong)(dong)曰(yue)遠安,南(nan)曰(yue)永清,西(xi)曰(yue)迎恩,北曰(yue)大定。四門(men)設(she)樓(lou),四角設(she)臺,城(cheng)郭之間(jian)為護(hu)城(cheng)河。明朝(chao)末(mo)年袁(yuan)崇煥鎮(zhen)守寧遠,為抵御后金(jin)努爾(er)哈赤的軍事(shi)進攻,用兩(liang)年時間(jian)修(xiu)繕(shan)寧遠城(cheng),城(cheng)墻“高(gao)三丈(zhang)(zhang)二(er)尺,雉高(gao)六(liu)尺,址廣三丈(zhang)(zhang),上二(er)丈(zhang)(zhang)四”。明朝(chao)末(mo)年,這里(li)成為抗(kang)擊(ji)女真族的前沿陣(zhen)地(di)。興城(cheng)古城(cheng)現(xian)僅(jin)存寧遠內城(cheng),經多(duo)次修(xiu)繕(shan),基本保持(chi)原貌。
古城平面呈正方形,南北844米,東西830米。城墻高8.5米,城基砌條石3層,基寬6.8米,頂寬4.5米。墻體為外條磚內毛石,外設垛口,內設女墻,中填夯土。墻頂設海墁磚 1層水口。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)四角設炮臺,東(dong)南角炮臺上為(wei)清代(dai)增建(jian)(jian)的魁星(xing)樓。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)為(wei)正方(fang)形(xing),周長(chang)3274米。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)四面(mian)正中各設城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men),城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)上皆筑(zhu)箭樓,為(wei)兩層樓閣。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)四角設臺,突出于城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)角。在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)區東(dong)南角上建(jian)(jian)有(you)魁星(xing)樓一座(zuo)。興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)現為(wei)全國(guo)(guo)重點(dian)文(wen)物(wu)保護單位(wei)。興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)——中國(guo)(guo)東(dong)北地(di)區的沿海文(wen)化(hua)古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),它扼居遼(liao)西走廊的咽喉地(di)帶,交(jiao)通發達,歷來是(shi)兵家必爭之(zhi)地(di)。興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)保存較好。1984年以來國(guo)(guo)家撥款對古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)進行全面(mian)維修,并建(jian)(jian)立了文(wen)物(wu)保管(guan)所(suo)。
城(cheng)設(she) 4門(men)。東曰春(chun)和(he),西(xi)曰永寧,南曰延(yan)輝,北曰威遠。門(men)座(zuo)通長12.17米(mi),寬13米(mi)。4門(men)均建(jian)城(cheng)樓,重檐歇(xie)山頂,面闊三間(jian),進深一間(jian)。城(cheng)門(men)外(wai)(wai)有半圓(yuan)形甕城(cheng),外(wai)(wai)徑32米(mi),內、外(wai)(wai)均以條磚筑成,城(cheng)門(men)內左側設(she)馬道,長21米(mi),寬 3.1米(mi)。
城內十字街中心有鐘鼓樓 1座,方形樓臺,十字券洞。樓為 2層,重檐歇山卷棚頂。南街有明思宗朱由檢為遼西守將祖大壽、祖大樂立的兩座高大石牌坊。城內東南有清建文廟 1座。城內街坊布局,基本上仍保持著清末的體制。興城(cheng)城(cheng)墻保存較(jiao)好。1984年以來國(guo)家撥款對古城(cheng)城(cheng)墻進行全(quan)面維修,并(bing)建立了文物保管所。
興城歷史悠久,遼代設置興(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian),距今已有1000多年的(de)(de)(de)歷(li)史。明朝(chao)為(wei)了(le)鞏固對東(dong)北地區的(de)(de)(de)統治,防御(yu)蒙(meng)古(gu)部(bu)落和女真人的(de)(de)(de)侵擾(rao),在山海關外“只設衛(wei)(wei)(wei)所(suo),不設州(zhou)(zhou)縣(xian)”,先后設立了(le)二十五(wu)個衛(wei)(wei)(wei),實行(xing)軍(jun)政合一式管(guan)理,寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)衛(wei)(wei)(wei)就是(shi)(shi)其中之(zhi)一。 明宣德(de)三年,即公元1428年,鎮守(shou)遼(liao)(liao)東(dong)總兵官巫凱、都 御(yu)史包懷(huai)德(de)及鎮守(shou)遼(liao)(liao)東(dong)太監王(wang)彥聯名奏請朝(chao)廷修筑(zhu)(zhu)寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),兩年后工程竣工,當(dang)時稱(cheng)寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)衛(wei)(wei)(wei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)衛(wei)(wei)(wei)駐軍(jun)5600人,守(shou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)士兵戰(zhan)時出征,平(ping)時屯田(tian)勞(lao)作,家屬也(ye)隨軍(jun)士從全(quan)國各(ge)地前來定居,后代逐漸繁衍。衛(wei)(wei)(wei)的(de)(de)(de)長官稱(cheng)衛(wei)(wei)(wei)指(zhi)揮(hui)使,既是(shi)(shi)一衛(wei)(wei)(wei)的(de)(de)(de)軍(jun)事(shi)長官,又(you)負責審理所(suo)轄(xia)地區的(de)(de)(de)民事(shi)案件,一般(ban)為(wei)三品官。這(zhe)種特殊(shu)的(de)(de)(de)軍(jun)政體(ti)制給(gei)寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)增加了(le)神秘色(se)彩。清朝(chao)建(jian)立后撤(che)衛(wei)(wei)(wei)建(jian)州(zhou)(zhou),寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)衛(wei)(wei)(wei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)也(ye)改稱(cheng)寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)州(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)州(zhou)(zhou)管(guan)轄(xia)山海關以東(dong)至錦州(zhou)(zhou)以西的(de)(de)(de)廣闊區域。民國成立后,1914年因寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)與湖南、山西、云南等(deng)省的(de)(de)(de)寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)州(zhou)(zhou)重名,經當(dang)時的(de)(de)(de)民國國務院內務部(bu)呈請大總統袁世凱批(pi)準,恢復使用遼(liao)(liao)代的(de)(de)(de)興(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)縣(xian)名,寧(ning)(ning)遠(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)也(ye)就隨之(zhi)稱(cheng)為(wei)興(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。興(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻就是(shi)(shi)興(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)體(ti)建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)。
興城城墻歷經570多年的風風雨雨仍巍然屹立,是當今中華大地上為數不多的明清古城墻建筑(zhu)(zhu),是明(ming)代軍(jun)事防御型(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)市的(de)(de)標本,它與(yu)平遙城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)、西安城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)、荊州(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)并稱(cheng)為(wei)中國(guo)保(bao)存最完整的(de)(de)四座(zuo)古城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang),也是中國(guo)現存惟一的(de)(de)正方形(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang),受到聯合國(guo)及(ji)歐盟文化遺(yi) 產保(bao)護專家和為(wei)數眾多的(de)(de)中外游客(ke)的(de)(de)青睞和關注。學者們認為(wei),研究中國(guo)古城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang),興城(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)必不(bu)可少。 興城(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)整體為(wei)正方形(xing),城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)基礎用(yong)(yong)條(tiao)石(shi),外墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)用(yong)(yong)青磚砌成,內墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)用(yong)(yong)不(bu)規(gui)則塊石(shi)壘砌,中間(jian)用(yong)(yong)夯土所筑(zhu)(zhu)。城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)頂端外沿(yan)筑(zhu)(zhu)有(you)垛口,守城(cheng)(cheng)官(guan)兵可以以此護身、了望、射箭;內沿(yan)筑(zhu)(zhu)有(you)女(nv)兒(er)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang),高度(du)低于垛口,起著加固城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)的(de)(de)作用(yong)(yong)。用(yong)(yong)于人員行走的(de)(de)磚面稱(cheng)為(wei)“海墁(man)(man)”,“海墁(man)(man)”系青磚鋪就(jiu),中凸外低,便于排(pai)水和減輕城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)夯土的(de)(de)承重壓力。1644年三月,李(li)自成率領的(de)(de)農(nong)民軍(jun)兵逼北京,崇禎皇帝匆忙下令寧(ning)遠總兵吳三桂放棄(qi)寧(ning)遠城(cheng)(cheng),入(ru)關勤王(wang),這(zhe)樣,清軍(jun)才(cai)占領寧(ning)遠。
1948年(nian)(nian)9月28日,東(dong)北野戰(zhan)軍(jun)第四(si)縱(zong)隊一部在縱(zong)隊副司令員胡奇(qi)才的(de)率領下,解放了興(xing)城(cheng)(cheng)古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)。當時(shi),解放軍(jun)指戰(zhan)員從城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)突破進入古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)內,但為了保護(hu)文(wen)物(wu)古(gu)跡,他們盡量避免開炮射(she)擊城(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)。三十多年(nian)(nian)后,古(gu)稀之年(nian)(nian)的(de)胡奇(qi)才將軍(jun)重回(hui)古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng),欣然揮筆寫(xie)下了:“古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)回(hui)到人民手中”。至今,這幅題字仍(reng)在古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)鐘鼓樓上懸掛。
隨著(zhu)(zhu)興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)知名度的(de)(de)(de)(de)提升,旅游(you)(you)開發(fa)事業得到蓬勃發(fa)展,中外(wai)游(you)(you)客紛至沓(ta)來,文物保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)工作也取得了(le)顯著(zhu)(zhu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)進(jin)(jin)展。在人民政府的(de)(de)(de)(de)重視下(xia),由于戰(zhan)亂而(er)有(you)所毀壞的(de)(de)(de)(de)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)部(bu)分地段的(de)(de)(de)(de)垛口、女兒墻(qiang)和海墁得到修(xiu)復,魁星(xing)樓也重現了(le)往日風采(cai),保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)維修(xiu)使興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)煥發(fa)了(le)新(xin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)生機,1988年1月(yue)13日,興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)被國(guo)(guo)(guo)務(wu)院公布為(wei)(wei)全國(guo)(guo)(guo)重點文物保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)單位;對城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)進(jin)(jin)行綜(zong)合研究和文化(hua)整(zheng)理也隨之同步進(jin)(jin)行,已經有(you)多部(bu)有(you)關興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)書籍(ji)出(chu)版或研究論文發(fa)表;天津大(da)學、上海同濟大(da)學等高校的(de)(de)(de)(de)知名學者為(wei)(wei)興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)精(jing)心編制了(le)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)規(gui)劃(hua);先后(hou)有(you)《三進(jin)(jin)山城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)》、《平原游(you)(you)擊(ji)隊》、《濟南戰(zhan)役》、《袁崇煥》、《遠(yuan)東陰謀》、《甲午陸戰(zhan)》等影視劇(ju)在興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)拍攝外(wai)景;2001年,興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)開發(fa)工程啟動,興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)被規(gui)劃(hua)為(wei)(wei)“城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣思古”游(you)(you)覽區,游(you)(you)人們登臨城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),不(bu)僅(jin)可(ke)以驚嘆(tan)中國(guo)(guo)(guo)古代建筑藝術的(de)(de)(de)(de)精(jing)湛,還能穿越歷(li)史的(de)(de)(de)(de)時空,回味(wei)著(zhu)(zhu)明末那一(yi)幕(mu)(mu)幕(mu)(mu)蕩氣回腸的(de)(de)(de)(de)戰(zhan)爭(zheng)場面。
城墻四面的正中各設城門,東為春和門、南為延輝門、西為永寧門、北為威遠門。城門上(shang)修筑(zhu)(zhu)了箭樓,俗稱城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門樓和(he)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓,為(wei)兩(liang)層樓閣建筑(zhu)(zhu),重(zhong)檐高聳、氣(qi)勢巍峨。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門旁(pang)邊分別有(you)坡形馬道,供人員上(shang)下城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang),城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門外均有(you)半(ban)圓形甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),與城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)連為(wei)一體。 興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)東南角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)上(shang)建有(you)魁星樓一座,其(qi)他三個拐角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)處都(dou)設有(you)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)臺(tai),明清征戰時期,在角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)臺(tai)上(shang)架設火炮,平時角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)臺(tai)上(shang)也有(you)士兵駐(zhu)扎,以加(jia)強對城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)的(de)防御。距(ju)離魁星樓不遠處的(de)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)底端(duan),有(you)水門洞一個,為(wei)明代(dai)所(suo)修,至今保存完好,是古代(dai)的(de)排水設施。
古(gu)城內的(de)(de)四條大(da)(da)街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie),是古(gu)城的(de)(de)主干道,他們因循四座城門而(er)得名,分(fen)別(bie)稱(cheng)為春和街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)、延(yan)輝街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)、永寧街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)和威遠街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie),城中(zhong)百(bai)姓根據方位分(fen)別(bie)稱(cheng)為東街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)、南(nan)街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)、西街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)和北街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)。街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)道兩(liang)旁分(fen)布著許多老字(zi)號店鋪,其中(zhong)以南(nan)街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)最為集中(zhong),因此有(you)"明代一(yi)條街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)"的(de)(de)美譽。四條大(da)(da)街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)呈十(shi)(shi)字(zi)形規則(ze)分(fen)布,因此又(you)統稱(cheng)為十(shi)(shi)字(zi)大(da)(da)街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie),十(shi)(shi)字(zi)大(da)(da)街(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)的(de)(de)交(jiao)叉(cha)點坐落著一(yi)座鐘鼓樓。
鐘鼓樓(lou)與(yu)城(cheng)墻(qiang)的(de)四(si)座城(cheng)門(men)箭樓(lou)遙相呼應(ying),鐘鼓樓(lou)為二層樓(lou)閣建筑,登臨樓(lou)頂,城(cheng)墻(qiang)和古城(cheng)內的(de)景觀(guan)盡收眼底。鐘鼓樓(lou)是古代城(cheng)市(shi)的(de)報時中心,晨鐘暮鼓。在明與(yu)后金軍隊征(zheng)戰期(qi)間,鎮(zhen)守寧(ning)遠城(cheng)的(de)明軍主帥(shuai)袁崇煥就坐鎮(zhen)鐘鼓樓(lou)指揮作戰。
與世界上現存的其他城墻相比,興城城墻有許多引人關注的獨特性。在明代修建城墻時,主要(yao)考慮到軍事防御(yu)的(de)需要(yao),因此設置了角臺等軍事設施,在這方面特(te)別值(zhi)得稱道的(de)是半圓形的(de)甕城和便于人馬通行的(de)坡(po)形馬道。
甕(weng)(weng)(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)建(jian)筑于四座(zuo)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)外(wai)側,呈半圓(yuan)形(xing),與城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻同時興建(jian)。甕(weng)(weng)(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)突出(chu)(chu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)之(zhi)外(wai),既(ji)體現(xian)出(chu)(chu)一種建(jian)筑美(mei)學,又(you)可(ke)以保護城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)在(zai)戰斗中不被敵(di)人(ren)輕易接(jie)近(jin)與破壞。在(zai)實戰中即(ji)便敵(di)軍(jun)攻(gong)破了甕(weng)(weng)(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men),在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻上的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)守軍(jun)仍能(neng)以極快的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)速度(du)組(zu)織調度(du),居(ju)高臨下從四面(mian)向城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)下發動還擊,而敵(di)軍(jun)一旦身(shen)陷半圓(yuan)形(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)甕(weng)(weng)(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)內,人(ren)馬(ma)很難脫身(shen),成語“甕(weng)(weng)(weng)中捉鱉”可(ke)以說是對(dui)甕(weng)(weng)(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)功能(neng)最(zui)生動地描述。明(ming)朝末年努爾(er)哈赤和(he)皇太極所率(lv)領的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)軍(jun)隊攻(gong)打(da)寧(ning)遠(yuan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)時,就是在(zai)甕(weng)(weng)(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內遭(zao)到猛(meng)烈攻(gong)擊而損失慘重。 興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻四座(zuo)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)造型體現(xian)出(chu)(chu)明(ming)代北方的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)建(jian)筑風格,它的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)磚木結構(gou)是傳(chuan)統的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)建(jian)筑特(te)點。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓建(jian)在(zai)拱(gong)形(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)洞之(zhi)上,與鐘鼓樓一樣是二(er)層樓閣建(jian)筑,面(mian)闊8.9米(mi),進深4.5米(mi),內有樓梯登樓,建(jian)筑形(xing)式為重檐歇山(shan)頂,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓頂端(duan)為青色筒瓦(wa)(wa)和(he)板(ban)瓦(wa)(wa)覆(fu)蓋(gai),正脊(ji)兩端(duan)有吻(wen)獸裝(zhuang)飾(shi),戧脊(ji)上的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)垂獸和(he)檐角(jiao)前部裝(zhuang)飾(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)跑(pao)獸神態(tai)栩栩如生。按照(zhao)明(ming)代的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻規制,不同級別的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓上裝(zhuang)飾(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)跑(pao)獸數目是不一樣的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),寧(ning)遠(yuan)衛城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓檐角(jiao)裝(zhuang)飾(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)跑(pao)獸有天馬(ma)、海馬(ma)和(he)獅(shi)子三種,其中,天馬(ma)、海馬(ma)是吉祥的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)化身(shen),獅(shi)子則(ze)代表(biao)勇猛(meng)和(he)威嚴(yan),它們的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)寓(yu)意與這座(zuo)軍(jun)事防御型城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)特(te)色可(ke)謂(wei)不謀而合。
興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻的(de)(de)(de)內壁(bi)也很有(you)特色(se)(se)。為了使城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻堅固,形(xing)成強大的(de)(de)(de)支撐力,避(bi)免內心的(de)(de)(de)夯土(tu)松動,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻在建筑(zhu)之(zhi)初就用不規(gui)(gui)則城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)石(shi)砌筑(zhu)內壁(bi),然后將壁(bi)面鑿平(ping),所以(yi)(yi)稱為“毛石(shi)墻”;由(you)于石(shi)料大多是就地(di)(di)取材(cai),遠望去顏色(se)(se)近(jin)似虎(hu)(hu)皮,所以(yi)(yi)又(you)被(bei)稱為“虎(hu)(hu)皮毛石(shi)墻”。 興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻是中(zhong)國古代城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)市規(gui)(gui)劃(hua)的(de)(de)(de)典范(fan)。從(cong)建筑(zhu)科學(xue)(xue)(xue)上講,興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻的(de)(de)(de)選址得(de)體,恰好(hao)處在山水(shui)圍河的(de)(de)(de)平(ping)原(yuan)地(di)(di)帶(dai),十分有(you)利于形(xing)成良好(hao)的(de)(de)(de)生態環境和局部小氣候。背山可以(yi)(yi)抵(di)擋冬(dong)天(tian)北來的(de)(de)(de)寒流,抱陽可以(yi)(yi)得(de)到(dao)良好(hao)的(de)(de)(de)日照(zhao),近(jin)水(shui)可以(yi)(yi)保障(zhang)生活及灌溉供水(shui),還(huan)可以(yi)(yi)防止風(feng)沙(sha)侵襲(xi),對(dui)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內居民十分有(you)利。 中(zhong)國古代的(de)(de)(de)傳統(tong)哲學(xue)(xue)(xue)思想(xiang)在興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻的(de)(de)(de)規(gui)(gui)劃(hua)和建筑(zhu)中(zhong),體現得(de)淋漓盡致:興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻建成正方(fang)形(xing),是取傳統(tong)宇宙觀(guan)的(de)(de)(de)“天(tian)圓地(di)(di)方(fang)”,予以(yi)(yi)大地(di)(di)沉穩、永(yong)無銷毀之(zhi)意;興城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻的(de)(de)(de)周長及城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門數、街路數均為偶數,體現了古代哲學(xue)(xue)(xue)中(zhong)數的(de)(de)(de)思辨。