Godech

Godech (Bulgaria: Годеч) is a small town located in the Sofia Province, of Bulgaria. The town is founded in a valley on the far west of Stara Płanina, where the river Nišava passes. The settllment is about 20km east of the Serbian border and has its highest peak Kom (2016 m) to the north. It should be noted that Godech is officially a town, and not a village, carrying (As of 2006) 4,663 inhabitants.

History

A number of archaeological finds prove that the Godech region has been inhabited since the pre-historical times and since the times of the Thracians and Romans. The evidences dating from the Middle Ages and Bulgarian National revival are rather meagre. In 1453 Godech was mentioned for first time in the Ottoman records. There is a still preserved inscription in St. Nikola church in the village of Tuden and according to it the church was built in 1400 '"when the Ottomans took possession of Bulgaria'". About eleven years later another church with three apses and loopholes was built in the village of Gubesh, located nearby.

The town's name is derived from the personal name Godek, a developed form of Godo or Gode or a shortened form of Godimir. It might also mean a "suitable, convenient place". [cite book|last=Чолева-Димитрова|first=Анна М.|title=Селищни имена от Югозападна България: Изследване. Речник|publisher=Пенсофт|location=София|date=2002|isbn=9546421685|oclc=57603720|language=Bulgarian|pages=p. 111]

Honour

Godech Nunatak on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Godech.

References

* [http://www.picturesofbulgaria.com/article/godech.html]