The ruins of Stara /Old/ Pavlica Monastery stand lonely, close to the village graveyard, on a steep cliff above the railway, on the right bank of the Ibar River in Pavlica village, 8 km north of town of Raska.
The founder and the time of construction of Stara Pavlica Monastery are not precisely known, although some historical evidences testify that the temple was built in the period after 1040 until 1150.
Its name refers to the very old structure which has been dedicated to Saint when built Paul and might be in historical context and connection with the nearby Church of Saint Peter and Paul in modern Novi Pazar. However Stara Pavlica Monastery was established even before the 12th century and the glory of Nemajic Dinasty.
This temple of Stara Pavlica Church was constructed in the 12th century and is considered as one of the oldest among shrines of Raska School of Architecture. Stara Pavlica Monastery Church dominates over the region with its nice structure and harmony. Stara Pavlica Church is tiny three-nave basilica built of stone and brick in the base of an inscribed cross. The eastern side of Stara /Old/ Pavlica Monastery is ended by three apses, of which the middle apse is the largest and three-sided, while the other two apses are semi-circular. The dome of Stara Pavlica sits on strong pillars. Stara Pavlica was first mentioned in the founding charter of King Stefan the First-crowned as the metochion with monks of Studenica Monastery.
The pots made of clay were built into the walls of the Stara Pavlica church altar to amplify the acoustics in the church. Later Stara /Old/ Pavlica Monastery was in ruins and for some time abandoned, to be damaged due to the carelessness and negligence which occurred during the construction of the railway in the thirties of the 20th century. The remains of the 12th and the 13th century frescoes of Stara Pavlica Church are painted in two layers. Frescoes of Stara Pavlica church are very similar to those from the nearby St. George’s Pillars Monastery – Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery. Stara Pavlica frescoes are only partially preserved in the dome and on the supporting arches and testify on their exceptional quality. Nowadays the church of Stara /Old/ Pavlica is conserved.