Pass without Spanish recess (4)
I believe the answer is:
apse
'recess' is the definition.
(apse is a kind of recess)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
(Other definitions for apse that I've seen before include "Recess at eastern end of a church" , "Semicircular recess in church" , "may be seen in church!" , "Recess at east end of church" , "space for altar" .)