Once dedicated to Saint Vincenzo Ferrer and officiated by the Carmelite fathers, Saint Giovenale’s Church stood near the synagogue as a representation of Christianity. It took the title of Saint Maria della Scala after the miraculous appearance of a Marian image along the stairs of the nearby Palazzo Canali. Finally, the church assumed the title of the ancient church of Saint Giovenale in Porta Carceraria, now in ruins.

Inside, the church preserves the harmonious Genius of Death created by the Danish artist Bertel Thorwaldsen for the cenotaph of Isabella Alfani Ricci, wife of the writer Angelo Maria Ricci. On the main altar is the canvas by Virginio Monti depicting the Madonna del Carmine.