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"A semicircular recess usually placed at the east end of the choir or chancel of a romanesque, or what is commonly called in England an Anglo-Saxon or Anglo-Norman church." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Apse

"A semicircular recess usually placed at the east end of the choir or chancel of a romanesque, or what…

An illustration depicting the inside of an apse. In architecture, the apse (Latin absis "arch, vault"; sometimes written apsis; plural apses) is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault. In Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral and church architecture, the term is applied to the semi-circular or polygonal section of the sanctuary at the liturgical east end beyond the altar. Geometrically speaking, an apse is either a half-cone or half-dome.

Apse of a Cathedral

An illustration depicting the inside of an apse. In architecture, the apse (Latin absis "arch, vault";…

"Apse of Basilica, Torcello, with Bishop's throne and seats for clergy." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Basilica

"Apse of Basilica, Torcello, with Bishop's throne and seats for clergy." — The Encyclopedia Britannica,…

There has been a church on the site for over 1300 years since Etheldreda, Queen of Northumbria made a grant of lands to Wilfrid, Bishop of York c.674. Of Wilfrid's Benedictine abbey, which was constructed almost entirely of material salvaged from nearby Roman ruins, the Saxon crypt and apse still remain.

Hexham Abbey

There has been a church on the site for over 1300 years since Etheldreda, Queen of Northumbria made…

Christian architecture is Syria diverged from Roman traditions. The abundance of hard stone, the total lack of clay or brick, the remoteness from Rome, led to a peculiar independence and originality in the forms and details of the ecclesiastical as well as of the domestic architecture of central Syria.

Church at Kalb Louzeh

Christian architecture is Syria diverged from Roman traditions. The abundance of hard stone, the total…

"Semi-dome, exterior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

Suleimanié Mosque

"Semi-dome, exterior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

"Semi-dome, interior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

Suleimanié Mosque

"Semi-dome, interior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

"Plan of Wells Cathedral. A, Apse or apsis. B, Altar, altar-platform, and altar-steps. D E, Eastern or lesser transept. F G, Western or greater transept. H, Central towers. I J, Western towers. K, North porch. L, Library or register. M, Principal or western doorway. N N, Western side doors. O, Cloister yard or garth. P Q, North and south aisles of choir. R S, East and west aisles of transept. T U, North and south aisles of nave. R R, Chapels. V, Rood screen or organ loft. W, Altar of Lazy chapel." — Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919

Wells Cathedral

"Plan of Wells Cathedral. A, Apse or apsis. B, Altar, altar-platform, and altar-steps. D E, Eastern…