The town is located near Parma, on the river Po and became famous because there were the unforgettable films of priest Don Camillo and Mayor Peppone.


Brescello has ancient, prehistoric origins and was known as Brixellum. Even under the Romans it had a certain importance but it fell and was completely destroyed under the Lombards. Only in the '200 reappeared on the maps of the territory, the fortress and the walls were built but none of this remained.


In the last century it was nothing more than one of the many countries of the Bassa, the area of the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia on the right bank of the great river, the Po. We lived on fishing, pig breeding and grape cultivation for the production of Lambrusco.


Giovannino Guareschi was a native of this area, and he became a journalist and author critical and criticized. His irony and satire were not always welcomed. His books on the Po country with the eternal conflicts between church and secular power have been translated into many languages and sold more than twenty million copies.

The films were shot in Brescello and the parish church was the scene of so many scenes by Don Camillo with Christ Crucifix who talked to each other. The unforgettable French actor Fernandel was the ideal performer for the role, just as the Communist Mayor Peppone was played beautifully by Gino Cervi.


The books are located in the 1950s and tell the clashes between the traditionalism of Catholic and Christian Italy and the communist revolutionary model. But the ironic style of Guareschi also leads us to reflect. Both the priest and the mayor want the best for their fellow countrymen.


In the fun museum in Brescello, in the Centro Culturale San Benedetto, the old restored convent, you will find an infinite number of objects, memories, photos and documents that talk about the scenes from the films of our heroes. Not to be missed at all!