忻州古城(cheng)(cheng)位(wei)于山西省忻州市(shi)。忻州城(cheng)(cheng)始建于東漢(han)建安二(er)十年(nian)(nian)（公元215年(nian)(nian)）至(zhi)今已有(you)(you)將近1800多年(nian)(nian)的(de)歷史(shi)。忻州古城(cheng)(cheng)是(shi)按(an)照(zhao)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)民族傳統規劃(hua)思想(xiang)和建筑風格建設起來(lai)的(de)城(cheng)(cheng)市(shi)，集中(zhong)(zhong)體現了(le)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)民族的(de)歷史(shi)文化(hua)(hua)特色， 是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)國古代(dai)(dai)勞動人民的(de)聰明(ming)才智和堅強(qiang)毅力的(de)結晶。歷代(dai)(dai)多為(wei)郡、州治所，險關要塞，人杰(jie)地(di)靈，商(shang)賈往(wang)來(lai)，兵家必爭，故有(you)(you)“晉(jin)北(bei)鎖鑰”之(zhi)稱。忻州文化(hua)(hua)積淀深厚，傳統藝術源遠流(liu)長，有(you)(you)“摔跤之(zhi)鄉”、“民歌海洋”之(zhi)譽。地(di)靈人杰(jie)，也(ye)養育了(le)不少在中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)民族歷史(shi)上頗有(you)(you)影響的(de)人物，如班(ban)婕(jie)妤、楊家將、元好問(wen)、白樸、薩都(dou)剌、徐繼畬(yu)等就出(chu)自忻州。
北(bei)門為“拱(gong)辰(chen)門”，始(shi)建(jian)于(yu)明萬歷24年（1596）。城樓(lou)總(zong)高28米，寬7間(jian)，深4間(jian)，四周圍(wei)廊重(zhong)檐三滴水，歇山式(shi)屋頂，檐下高懸“晉北(bei)鎖(suo)鑰”門匾。樓(lou)內無柱，梁架結構簡(jian)潔，連接嚴(yan)實，充分體現(xian)了(le)中國古代勞動人(ren)民的聰明智慧。整個城樓(lou)紅柱藍瓦，富(fu)麗堂(tang)皇，甚為壯觀，具有很高的文物保護價值。
南門為“景賢門”，始建于明萬歷24年(nian)（1596）。城樓(lou)面闊(kuo)7間，進深(shen)4間，重檐歇山頂，四(si)角飛檐，樓(lou)梯三(san)層，構思精巧，樓(lou)內無柱(zhu)，拇指臺(tai)階(jie)，三(san)層檐下(xia)正中懸掛“三(san)關(guan)總要”匾額。1972年(nian)拆毀，2002年(nian)重建。
東門為“永豐門”，始建于明(ming)萬歷(li)24年（1596）。城樓匾額“獻佳合北”。1945年城樓被毀(hui)。
西門為“新興門”，始建于(yu)明萬(wan)歷24年（1596）。城(cheng)樓匾額“九峰(feng)雄峙”。城(cheng)樓毀于(yu)解(jie)放前。
忻(xin)州(zhou)城墻始(shi)建(jian)于(yu)東(dong)漢末(mo)年，唐宋時擴建(jian)，至(zhi)清末(mo)成(cheng)為完整城池。城墻周(zhou)長2190丈，高4.2尺，全(quan)部用(yong)磚(zhuan)石包(bao)砌(qi)。此(ci)城在解放(fang)戰爭時期，由(you)于(yu)閻錫山(shan)挖戰壕，修碉(diao)堡，有較大損毀。解放(fang)后，由(you)于(yu)城區建(jian)設，城墻逐(zhu)步有所拆除，現(xian)東(dong)南西北四面仍(reng)有斷壁殘垣。
秀容(rong)書院始建于清乾隆四十年，當(dang)時(shi)忻縣稱秀容(rong)縣，故以此得(de)名，為忻州(zhou)市第一所學府。
原書(shu)院(yuan)東邊是文昌寺，后(hou)書(shu)院(yuan)逐漸擴建(jian)，文昌寺并于書(shu)院(yuan)中。在(zai)書(shu)院(yuan)西(xi)坡上先(xian)后(hou)修建(jian)三個(ge)風(feng)景亭(ting)：正中四角(jiao)(jiao)亭(ting)，南八角(jiao)(jiao)亭(ting)，北六角(jiao)(jiao)亭(ting)。六角(jiao)(jiao)亭(ting)為三亭(ting)中之(zhi)最，每(mei)邊長約三米，亭(ting)高約九米。六角(jiao)(jiao)亭(ting)舊稱寥無閣，為全(quan)城高點(dian)，立于亭(ting)上，可俯(fu)瞰全(quan)城。原六角(jiao)(jiao)亭(ting)前有一磚拱門，稱天(tian)之(zhi)衢，意(yi)取(qu)書(shu)院(yuan)讀書(shu)人，通(tong)過天(tian)之(zhi)衢，登(deng)上寥天(tian)閣，飛黃騰達。
文廟始建于明弘治五年（1492），坐北朝南，琉璃碧瓦蓋頂的照壁上(shang)龍飛鳳舞，三進(jin)大(da)(da)門欞星門雄偉壯觀，單檐頂式大(da)(da)成(cheng)殿(dian)依然(ran)聳立。大(da)(da)殿(dian)面闊(kuo)7間，進(jin)深5間，殿(dian)內木閣中塑有先師孔子巨型雕(diao)像(xiang)。1977年3月8日大(da)(da)成(cheng)殿(dian)不幸(xing)毀于大(da)(da)火。
元遺山(shan)祠(ci)(ci)堂(tang)(tang)，位于(yu)城(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)南北大街(jie)，分內(nei)外倆個院(yuan)落(luo)。由(you)于(yu)道(dao)路拓寬和舊城(cheng)(cheng)改造(zao)，現祠(ci)(ci)堂(tang)(tang)大門已被拆毀。但整體(ti)結構(gou)仍保持祠(ci)(ci)堂(tang)(tang)原貌。2010年(nian)元遺山(shan)祠(ci)(ci)堂(tang)(tang)重(zhong)建。
位于城(cheng)東古鐘公園(yuan)內(nei)，據鐘銘文(wen)記載，大(da)鐘鑄于金大(da)定(ding)（1161-1189）年間(jian)。
革(ge)(ge)命(ming)戰(zhan)(zhan)爭年代(dai)，曾經是(shi)晉(jin)察冀、晉(jin)綏革(ge)(ge)命(ming)根據地的發祥地與中心腹地。國際共產(chan)主(zhu)義戰(zhan)(zhan)士白求(qiu)恩曾在五臺(tai)縣創(chuang)建了“模范病室(shi)”。著(zhu)名的“忻(xin)口戰(zhan)(zhan)役”、“平(ping)型關大戰(zhan)(zhan)”、火燒陽明(ming)堡飛機場等戰(zhan)(zhan)斗就發生在忻(xin)州。這片(pian)土地還誕生了高(gao)君宇、徐(xu)向前、薄一波等老一輩無產(chan)階級(ji)革(ge)(ge)命(ming)家(jia)。忻(xin)州古稱(cheng)“秀容(rong)”，從新石(shi)器時(shi)(shi)代(dai)，就有人類開(kai)始活動(dong),至今(jin)已有將近1800年的歷(li)史。春秋時(shi)(shi)期大部分為晉(jin)地，戰(zhan)(zhan)國時(shi)(shi)屬趙。秦漢屬太(tai)原郡、雁北郡、太(tai)平(ping)郡，隋為新興郡、雁門郡，唐、五代(dai)、宋為忻(xin)州定襄郡、代(dai)州雁門郡，金、元、明(ming)、清為忻(xin)州、代(dai)州、保德(de)州。相(xiang)傳漢高(gao)祖北上抗擊匈奴，兵困(kun)平(ping)城（今(jin)大同），突圍時(shi)(shi)大軍(jun)南撤，到忻(xin)口方(fang)擺脫追(zhui)兵。高(gao)祖歡顏而(er)(er)笑，六軍(jun)欣然如歸(gui)，因“欣”通(tong)“忻(xin)”，忻(xin)州之名由此而(er)(er)生。
自唐宋以來，一直設有州治，有“晉北鎖鑰”之(zhi)稱(cheng)，歷(li)代為(wei)兵家(jia)必爭之(zhi)地。1949年成立忻(xin)(xin)(xin)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)專區。1970年更名(ming)為(wei)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)地區。1978年改名(ming)為(wei)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)行(xing)政(zheng)公署(shu)。1983年改忻(xin)(xin)(xin)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)為(wei)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州市(shi)（縣(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)級(ji)市(shi)），改稱(cheng)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州行(xing)署(shu)。2000年經國務(wu)院(yuan)批準，忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州行(xing)署(shu)改為(wei)忻(xin)(xin)(xin)州市(shi)（地級(ji)市(shi)）。
1937年被日本侵(qin)略者飛機炸損的(de)(de)(de)北(bei)(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou) 城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)，是(shi)(shi)(shi)古(gu)代保(bao)護政治(zhi)治(zhi)所(suo)(suo)和(he)(he)關(guan)(guan)(guan)隘要(yao)(yao)道的(de)(de)(de)軍事設(she)(she)防設(she)(she)施(shi)，忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)是(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)(er)者兼有(you)(you)的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)座老城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。它(ta)始建于東(dong)漢(han)(han)建安二(er)(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)年（215年），置(zhi)新興郡（今(jin)麻會村(cun)西(xi)側），同年置(zhi)九(jiu)原縣（今(jin)忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)）。《讀(du)書(shu)方輿紀要(yao)(yao)》：“（忻(xin)(xin)）州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)西(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)五十(shi)(shi)(shi)里(li)有(you)(you)秀(xiu)容(rong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。”《辭海(hai)》：“秀(xiu)容(rong)，古(gu)縣名(ming)(ming)，治(zhi)所(suo)(suo)在(zai)今(jin)山西(xi)忻(xin)(xin)縣西(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)，隋(sui)開皇(huang)移(yi)至(zhi)今(jin)忻(xin)(xin)縣，為忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)治(zhi)所(suo)(suo)。”《元(yuan)和(he)(he)志(zhi)》：“劉元(yuan)海(hai)感(gan)神而生，姿容(rong)秀(xiu)美，因(yin)此為名(ming)(ming)。”故名(ming)(ming)秀(xiu)容(rong)。《忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)直隸(li)志(zhi)》：“州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)筑于隋(sui)開皇(huang)十(shi)(shi)(shi)八年（598年），因(yin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)北(bei)(bei)(bei)有(you)(you)忻(xin)(xin)口而名(ming)(ming)。”實(shi)(shi)際忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)廓早在(zai)東(dong)漢(han)(han)建安二(er)(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)年時已筑之，隋(sui)開皇(huang)只(zhi)是(shi)(shi)(shi)修葺而已。忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西(xi)陀螺山一(yi)帶，山形秀(xiu)拔，怪石凌(ling)空(kong)，其仞有(you)(you)九(jiu)，故名(ming)(ming)九(jiu)龍(long)。九(jiu)龍(long)蜿蜒伸出(chu)直至(zhi)牧(mu)(mu)馬(ma)河(he)(he)畔，臨牧(mu)(mu)馬(ma)河(he)(he)時，九(jiu)龍(long)合(he)為一(yi)體，爭(zheng)飲(yin)牧(mu)(mu)馬(ma)河(he)(he)水，忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)就坐(zuo)落在(zai)九(jiu)條龍(long)頭之端。 忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)與省府(fu)太原緊相毗鄰，如同唇齒相依。是(shi)(shi)(shi)偏頭關(guan)(guan)(guan)、寧(ning)武關(guan)(guan)(guan)、雁門(men)(men)關(guan)(guan)(guan)的(de)(de)(de)可靠后方。“三(san)關(guan)(guan)(guan)與忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)之間，構成(cheng)犄角(jiao)之勢(shi)，形成(cheng)扇面，連(lian)能一(yi)氣。三(san)關(guan)(guan)(guan)像(xiang)指(zhi)，忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)如掌，進(jin)則如掌使指(zhi)，迅速有(you)(you)力(li)；退則堅實(shi)(shi)如拳(quan)，牢(lao)不(bu)可破(po)。”因(yin)此，南城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou)匾書(shu)“三(san)關(guan)(guan)(guan)總要(yao)(yao)”。忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)北(bei)(bei)(bei)據忻(xin)(xin)口，南有(you)(you)石嶺、赤塘二(er)(er)關(guan)(guan)(guan)險隘，忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)筑于中心地帶，背依九(jiu)龍(long)崗(gang)，西(xi)臨牧(mu)(mu)馬(ma)河(he)(he)，憑山襟水，一(yi)覽無余。古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)平面勢(shi)成(cheng)橢圓，俗稱臥牛城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)，是(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)座易守(shou)難攻的(de)(de)(de)堅固堡壘(lei)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內南北(bei)(bei)(bei)大街是(shi)(shi)(shi)太原以(yi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)的(de)(de)(de)通(tong)道。因(yin)此，忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)老城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為“晉北(bei)(bei)(bei)咽喉和(he)(he)門(men)(men)戶”，北(bei)(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou)匾書(shu)“晉北(bei)(bei)(bei)鎖(suo)鑰”。獨特的(de)(de)(de)地理位置(zhi)，使忻(xin)(xin)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)古(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)歷來為兵家必(bi)爭(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)軍事戰(zhan)略要(yao)(yao)地。
忻(xin)州老(lao)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)“跨西崗而城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)，崗占城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)(zhi)半，是(shi)(shi)為(wei)九龍之(zhi)(zhi)塬”。“明萬歷(li)二十六年(nian)(nian)(nian)十月，忻(xin)州城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)修(xiu)(xiu)竣后(hou)，四(si)(si)座城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)，連同(tong)(tong)洞門(men)(men)八座，洞門(men)(men)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)相對，彼此相通(tong)。”又載：“鳩工庀(pi)材(cai)，始建(jian)于同(tong)(tong)治七年(nian)(nian)(nian)四(si)(si)月，迄于同(tong)(tong)治九年(nian)(nian)(nian)十月，前后(hou)將及三年(nian)(nian)(nian)，修(xiu)(xiu)繕完竣。于是(shi)(shi)，雉垛(duo)(duo)斯(si)偉，樓(lou)櫓崇煥。”同(tong)(tong)治七年(nian)(nian)(nian)修(xiu)(xiu)葺，共用白銀六萬余兩，城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)增修(xiu)(xiu)了(le)垛(duo)(duo)口，重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)建(jian)了(le)門(men)(men)樓(lou)，并(bing)建(jian)堙門(men)(men)，形成多(duo)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。今日所見忻(xin)州老(lao)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)面貌，蓋(gai)是(shi)(shi)同(tong)(tong)治七年(nian)(nian)(nian)修(xiu)(xiu)葺后(hou)的(de)遺(yi)物。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou)是(shi)(shi)古代警戒、指揮(hui)必(bi)建(jian)的(de)軍(jun)(jun)事設施(shi)，“舊多(duo)劫盜，諸州縣(xian)置城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓(lou)，盜發四(si)(si)面皆守(shou)要路(lu)，便爾擒(qin)送。”“大哉(zai)斯(si)樓(lou)之(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)，上(shang)可(ke)以(yi)陳列(lie)鼙鼓，下可(ke)以(yi)禁限(xian)中外，近可(ke)以(yi)張皇斯(si)眾，遠(yuan)可(ke)以(yi)戒勵大軍(jun)(jun)。”可(ke)見城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)樓(lou)不(bu)只是(shi)(shi)標示(shi)雄偉，而且有其實際的(de)軍(jun)(jun)事用途。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門(men)(men)西側(ce)有供人登(deng)臨的(de)道路(lu)，稱為(wei)墁(man)道或馬(ma)道。一般為(wei)斜坡，兩邊(bian)有欄墻(qiang)，起點有門(men)(men)，可(ke)杜防閑(xian)雜。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)上(shang)設城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)堞(die)，又名城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垛(duo)(duo)。垛(duo)(duo)與垛(duo)(duo)之(zhi)(zhi)間稱垛(duo)(duo)口，垛(duo)(duo)上(shang)設垛(duo)(duo)眼(yan)。“城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)堞(die)不(bu)宜(yi)太(tai)高(gao)，高(gao)則(ze)擲石無力，垛(duo)(duo)口不(bu)宜(yi)太(tai)狹(xia)，狹(xia)則(ze)礙(ai)于擊賊。各留懸孔（即垛(duo)(duo)眼(yan)），賊遠(yuan)則(ze)堞(die)口瞭之(zhi)(zhi)，近則(ze)懸孔視之(zhi)(zhi)。”城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垛(duo)(duo)是(shi)(shi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)頂上(shang)的(de)小(xiao)墻(qiang)，它始筑的(de)時間要早于城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)包磚。
忻州(zhou)老城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻平面(mian)(mian)向(xiang)外凸出(chu)許多墩臺，稱為(wei)(wei)馬(ma)面(mian)(mian)。馬(ma)面(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)出(chu)現是從(cong)戰術(shu)角度考(kao)慮(lv)而設置。“若攻(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)，馬(ma)面(mian)(mian)長則(ze)可反(fan)射城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)下(xia)(xia)攻(gong)者，兼(jian)密(mi)則(ze)矢石相及，敵(di)(di)人至城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)下(xia)(xia)則(ze)四(si)面(mian)(mian)矢石臨之。忻州(zhou)老城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)平面(mian)(mian)近似(si)方形的(de)(de)多邊(bian)形，周長九里二十步。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)依(yi)坡順勢蜿蜒起伏，呈曲線形。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)內邊(bian)四(si)面(mian)(mian)均(jun)為(wei)(wei)緩(huan)坡形，遇(yu)有敵(di)(di)情，軍(jun)民(min)蜂擁(yong)而至城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻端。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)西北(bei)角為(wei)(wei)鈍(dun)角，東南(nan)角的(de)(de)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)高度最(zui)低(di)，這是“天不滿西北(bei)，地不平東南(nan)”在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)市建(jian)筑上的(de)(de)體現。
給生活一把琴 
