三清(qing)宮景區平均海拔約1500多米(mi),范(fan)圍南至(zhi)“九天應元府”,北(bei)(bei)至(zhi)“風門”,東至(zhi)“東海岸”北(bei)(bei)接口,西至(zhi)涵星池(chi)邊“西海岸”。三清(qing)山自(zi)晉朝(chao)葛洪(hong)開山以來(lai)歷時迄今1600多年(nian),道(dao)教歷史(shi)源遠(yuan)流長,共(gong)有宮、觀、殿、府、坊、泉 、池(chi)、橋(qiao)、墓、臺(tai)、塔(ta)等(deng)三清(qing)山石(shi)(shi)刻(ke)古建筑及石(shi)(shi)雕260多處。這些古建筑及石(shi)(shi)刻(ke)依據“先天八(ba)卦(gua)圖(tu)式”和“后天八(ba)卦(gua)圖(tu)式”交(jiao)相融合(he)精(jing)巧布局(ju),是(shi)研究我國道(dao)教古建筑設計(ji)布局(ju)的獨(du)特典范(fan)。
相(xiang)傳東(dong)晉年(nian)間(公元326-334,或357-361)葛洪與李尚書“結廬煉丹”修(xiu)道于三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)山(shan)。唐建(jian)老(lao)子(zi)宮(gong)觀,舊址在丹井北(bei)(bei)邊,坐北(bei)(bei)朝(chao)南,稱三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)福(fu)地(di);“宋乾道六年(nian)(1170)王霖(lin)捐(juan)資重(zhong)建(jian)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)觀殿宇,供奉三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)尊神,后(hou)因世(shi)亂,觀廢址毀(hui)(hui)”;元建(jian)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)觀,有(you)石刻三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)石仙君(jun)、葛仙君(jun)、李尚書、金童、玉女(nv)及潘元帥(shuai)像等;明景泰至(zhi)天(tian)順年(nian)間(1450-1464)王祐、詹碧云上山(shan)重(zhong)修(xiu)擴建(jian)后(hou),改稱三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)宮(gong);清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)嘉慶癸酉年(nian)(1813年(nian))毀(hui)(hui)于大火,玉山(shan)、德(de)興(xing)兩(liang)縣方(fang)(fang)士(shi)化緣(yuan)重(zhong)建(jian),但(dan)規模遠(yuan)不及從前(qian)(qian)。現三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)宮(gong)為明代(dai)所(suo)建(jian),坐南朝(chao)北(bei)(bei),前(qian)(qian)殿后(hou)閣,左右廂房,兩(liang)層兩(liang)進(jin)。前(qian)(qian)殿高5.38米,后(hou)閣比前(qian)(qian)殿地(di)基高2.3米,殿寬10.4米,進(jin)深19.82米,兩(liang)殿總面積206平(ping)方(fang)(fang)米。包括附屬建(jian)筑,占地(di)總面積1750平(ping)方(fang)(fang)米。整個殿內(nei)梁、柱、墻、池、門(men)以花崗巖琢磨鋪(pu)造為主(zhu),鑲嵌得嚴絲(si)密縫,是古代(dai)建(jian)筑藝(yi)術的(de)精品之一(yi)。宮(gong)門(men)上方(fang)(fang)懸掛清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)同治八年(nian)(1869)立“三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)福(fu)地(di)”匾額一(yi)塊。
三清宮因前殿供奉道(dao)教(jiao)三位尊(zun)(zun)神(shen)——清微天(tian)(tian)(tian)玉清境(jing)元(yuan)始天(tian)(tian)(tian)尊(zun)(zun)(又稱天(tian)(tian)(tian)寶君,居(ju)中位,手(shou)執(zhi)混(hun)元(yuan)珠,象征(zheng)天(tian)(tian)(tian)地(di)未形、萬物未生混(hun)沌狀態時的無極);禹余天(tian)(tian)(tian)上(shang)清境(jing)靈寶天(tian)(tian)(tian)尊(zun)(zun)(又稱太上(shang)道(dao)君,居(ju)元(yuan)始天(tian)(tian)(tian)尊(zun)(zun)左側位,手(shou)執(zhi)如意之象,或半黑半白的“陰(yin)陽(yang)鏡(jing)”,象征(zheng)剛從無極狀態中衍生出來的“太極”);大赤(chi)天(tian)(tian)(tian)太清境(jing)道(dao)德(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)尊(zun)(zun)(又稱太上(shang)老君、道(dao)祖,居(ju)元(yuan)始天(tian)(tian)(tian)尊(zun)(zun)右側位,手(shou)執(zhi)羽扇,象征(zheng)由太極分化出的天(tian)(tian)(tian)地(di)或陰(yin)陽(yang)“兩儀”),故名。
三(san)(san)(san)清(qing)宮后閣(ge)為(wei)觀音堂(tang),供奉佛(fo)教十(shi)(shi)八羅漢等神像。前(qian)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)和后閣(ge)之間以(yi)十(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)(san)級臺階相連(lian)(lian)接,象征腳踏十(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)(san)行(xing)省。俗有(you)“腳踏十(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)(san)階,吉吉福壽連(lian)(lian)”之說。閣(ge)內有(you)聯云(yun):“三(san)(san)(san)清(qing)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內大闡慈悲之教,妙法堂(tang)中廣開(kai)普(pu)濟之門(men)(men)。”原左右廂(xiang)房已毀(hui),殿(dian)(dian)(dian)頂已非(fei)舊制(zhi),殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內三(san)(san)(san)清(qing)神像為(wei)20世紀90年代所塑。2006年5月1日(ri)重新修峻開(kai)放。前(qian)后大殿(dian)(dian)(dian)石(shi)(shi)柱(zhu)為(wei)明(ming)代原物遺留。三(san)(san)(san)清(qing)尊神兩(liang)邊花崗巖大石(shi)(shi)柱(zhu)上(shang)鐫刻楹聯云(yun):“三(san)(san)(san)天無極存道(dao)氣(qi)于(yu)玉(yu)清(qing)上(shang)清(qing)太清(qing),一統大明(ming)祝皇祚(zuo)于(yu)百世千世萬(wan)世。”宮殿(dian)(dian)(dian)正門(men)(men)石(shi)(shi)刻楹聯:“殿(dian)(dian)(dian)開(kai)白(bai)晝風來掃,門(men)(men)到黃(huang)昏云(yun)自封”,道(dao)出了(le)仙境福地風拂云(yun)繞,虛幻(huan)縹緲的景象。
三清(qing)宮(gong)殿(dian)前(qian)(qian)是(shi)一塊花崗巖鋪地的平臺(tai),平臺(tai)北(bei)側置石(shi)香(xiang)(xiang)爐和(he)石(shi)香(xiang)(xiang)亭,香(xiang)(xiang)爐基(ji)座四腳石(shi)雕螭(chi)頭。殿(dian)前(qian)(qian)東(dong)側置惜字亭。殿(dian)開三門(men),正(zheng)中大(da)門(men)外設臺(tai)階五級(ji),階下(xia)殿(dian)檐滴(di)水(shui)(shui)處建長(chang)方形(xing)水(shui)(shui)池一方,阻礙于大(da)門(men)之前(qian)(qian),古名“龍(long)(long)泉(quan)池”。池橫(heng)長(chang)2.8米,寬1.3米,深(shen)0.25米。池內置石(shi)香(xiang)(xiang)盆(pen)一座,正(zheng)面刻(ke)“清(qing)靜”二(er)字,西側刻(ke)“嘗”字,東(dong)側刻(ke)“矣”字。池西南(nan)角地底(di)石(shi)雕有潛龍(long)(long)頭一尊,龍(long)(long)頭東(dong)前(qian)(qian)方石(shi)香(xiang)(xiang)盆(pen)基(ji)座上刻(ke)“火龍(long)(long)珠”圖紋一幅,緊靠(kao)龍(long)(long)頭南(nan)邊池底(di)是(shi)陰溝排(pai)水(shui)(shui)口,雨天有水(shui)(shui)從中溢出將龍(long)(long)頭浸漫(man),今稱之為(wei)“階下(xia)囚龍(long)(long)池”。平臺(tai)北(bei)面正(zheng)中為(wei)三清(qing)宮(gong)石(shi)牌坊(fang),牌坊(fang)前(qian)(qian)是(shi)靈(ling)官殿(dian)、魁星殿(dian)。以(yi)上文(wen)物(wu)造型(xing)古樸(pu),線條優美,雕工精湛。
三清(qing)(qing)宮建(jian)筑和(he)(he)布局充(chong)滿玄虛神奇(qi)色彩。正殿供(gong)奉道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)三清(qing)(qing)三位尊神,后(hou)殿供(gong)奉觀音及十(shi)八羅漢,道(dao)(dao)佛(fo)和(he)(he)諧(xie)相處,共為同一(yi)殿堂,有別于其他道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)名山佛(fo)道(dao)(dao)不相容的格局,體現了三清(qing)(qing)山海納百川包容萬象的博大胸懷。
前殿內大(da)柱石刻楹聯(lian):“三(san)天無(wu)極存道氣於玉清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)上清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)太清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing),一統大(da)明(ming)(ming)祝皇祚於百世(shi)(shi)千(qian)世(shi)(shi)萬(wan)世(shi)(shi)。”相傳為明(ming)(ming)建(jian)文(wen)帝藏隱于三(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)山(shan)任三(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)宮住(zhu)持時親筆題撰。從看似矛盾的聯(lian)語(yu)中可以看出,建(jian)文(wen)帝雖遁入清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)靜空虛之(zhi)門(men)(men),但仍(reng)然難以完(wan)全斷絕紅(hong)塵世(shi)(shi)俗之(zhi)念,寄希(xi)望于三(san)清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)尊神保(bao)佑大(da)明(ming)(ming)皇位(wei)傳承千(qian)秋萬(wan)世(shi)(shi)。而宮殿正門(men)(men)楹聯(lian)“殿開白(bai)晝風(feng)來掃,門(men)(men)到黃昏云自封”,與朱元(yuan)璋龍興之(zhi)地鳳(feng)陽龍興寺內的一副(fu)對(dui)聯(lian):“廟內無(wu)僧風(feng)掃地,寺中少(shao)燈月照明(ming)(ming)”有異(yi)聯(lian)同義,相承繼襲(xi)之(zhi)妙,為祖孫兩人一個前,一個后,同入佛、道空靈清(qing)(qing)(qing)(qing)靜之(zhi)門(men)(men)的無(wu)奈經(jing)歷留下了意味深長(chang)的注(zhu)解和佐證(zheng)。
當(dang)代詩人陳運和游(you)畢此(ci)處,再留《三清宮(gong)》佳句:“一座古建被請進(jin)三清福(fu)地 三清福(fu)地被請進(jin)道教玄機 天(tian)尊(zun)坐落在龜背石上不走 從侍(shi)諸(zhu)仙(xian)也沒(mei)法離(li)開大殿歇息 后堂的觀音情愿長年(nian)沉默寡(gua)語 弄得(de)十八羅漢兩(liang)側姿態各異(yi) 優美(mei)雅(ya)靜的環境養活過眾(zhong)多楹聯 遙遠歲月已告別了這兒的深奧神祕”。
三(san)清(qing)山(shan)三(san)清(qing)宮(gong)(gong)大門(men)前(qian)(qian)方(fang)建有牌(pai)坊一座,名叫三(san)清(qing)宮(gong)(gong)牌(pai)坊。三(san)清(qing)宮(gong)(gong)牌(pai)坊位(wei)于三(san)清(qing)宮(gong)(gong)北前(qian)(qian)方(fang)15米、靈官(guan)殿(dian)與魁星殿(dian)甬道之(zhi)南約2米處。因牌(pai)坊上部(bu)額枋之(zhi)間鑲嵌(qian)的青石板(ban)橫匾(bian)兩面刻(ke)有明代(dai)景泰年(nian)間兵部(bu)尚書、浙江鎮守孫原貞(zhen)(1388-1474)書“三(san)清(qing)宮(gong)(gong)”三(san)個(ge)正楷大字,故名三(san)清(qing)宮(gong)(gong)牌(pai)坊。
三(san)清(qing)宮牌(pai)坊(fang)全部用(yong)花(hua)崗巖鑿制而成(cheng)。牌(pai)坊(fang)頂蓋由兩(liang)(liang)(liang)(liang)塊整(zheng)石(shi)構(gou)成(cheng)懸山(shan)頂形式,上(shang)(shang)面鑿有象征性(xing)的(de)(de)瓦垅,無溝頭(tou)滴水,頂上(shang)(shang)正(zheng)脊用(yong)刻花(hua)魚龍大吻(wen),正(zheng)中置(zhi)(zhi)放了個寶葫蘆(lu)。整(zheng)個造型小巧玲瓏,莊重(zhong)華(hua)美,是道(dao)教仿儒家孔(kong)府等建(jian)置(zhi)(zhi),在門(men)前置(zhi)(zhi)牌(pai)坊(fang),以壯聲威的(de)(de)建(jian)制。牌(pai)坊(fang)兩(liang)(liang)(liang)(liang)邊方(fang)(fang)形石(shi)柱(zhu)的(de)(de)底座寬1.25米,石(shi)柱(zhu)之(zhi)間寬2.74米,高4.04米。兩(liang)(liang)(liang)(liang)根方(fang)(fang)形石(shi)柱(zhu)內側相對鐫(juan)刻:“天顏咫尺(chi)登壇皆俯首(shou)之(zhi)恭(gong),云(yun)路迢(tiao)遙入門(men)盡鞠躬之(zhi)敬”對聯;石(shi)柱(zhu)北側兩(liang)(liang)(liang)(liang)邊刻:“左右靈官(guan)監察正(zheng)法無情(qing),上(shang)(shang)下信士朝奉誠心有感”楹(ying)(ying)聯;石(shi)柱(zhu)南側兩(liang)(liang)(liang)(liang)邊刻:“登殿步虛(xu)升太虛(xu)上(shang)(shang)之(zhi)無上(shang)(shang),入門(men)求道(dao)悟(wu)真道(dao)玄之(zhi)又玄”楹(ying)(ying)聯。上(shang)(shang)方(fang)(fang)青石(shi)板橫匾兩(liang)(liang)(liang)(liang)頭(tou)分別(bie)刻有“資政大夫兵部尚書孫原(yuan)貞(zhen)書”、“大明景泰七年(nian)龍集丙子九月吉日開山(shan)德興延(yan)溪帽(mao)峰(feng)費隱永祦王祐玄正(zheng)立”數行小字。今據石(shi)刻,三(san)清(qing)宮重(zhong)建(jian)開工始于明景泰七年(nian)九月即公元1456年(nian)九月;竣工于天順三(san)年(nian)(1459)。