The superstructure

Originally the altar stood at around 10m tall with the mensa and superstructure. The latter is now lost, the former is still in the Neukloster church in Wiener Neustadt. The term mensa, ‘table’ in Latin, is used in the Christian tradition to denote either the entire altar as in mensa domini (table of the Lord) or merely the stone slab on top. Superstructure refers to the carved decoration above Gothic winged altars. It generally consists of pinnacles and tabernacles rich with ornamentation and figurines.

Many altar superstructures have 3 decorative tower-like features in a row. Crucifixion groups with Mary and John are popular, as are saints, angels with instruments of the Passion or the coat of arms of the commissioner. From the Renaissance on, the figures are increasingly replaced by flora.