Stara Pavlica Monastery

The ruins of Stara /Old/ Pavlica Monastery stand lonely, close to the village graveyard, on a steep cliff above the railway which connects Skopje-Pristina-Kosovska Mitrovica-Raska and Kraljevo, in Pavlica village, on the right bank of the Ibar River, 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 original shrine has been 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 reign and glory of the 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 one-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 the 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 during 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 Saint George’s Pillars Monastery – Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery in Novi Pazar. Stara Pavlica frescoes are only partially preserved in the dome and on the supporting arches and testify on their exceptional quality.

Excavations at the Stara Pavlica locality revealed the existence of 14 graves, two of which belonged to children. The graves were without gravestones, with the exception of one which was found southeast of the church. In this grave were found a pair of silver earrings and 31 pieces of decorative tiles made of the famous silver tin. Based on the features of this jewel, as well as coins found at this location, minted during the time of despot Stefan Lazarevic and the Hungarian king Sigmund, the necropolis near the church is dated at the very end of 14th and the beginning of 15th century. Nowadays the church of Stara /Old/ Pavlica is conserved.