A very interesting way of remembering the post-World War II period in Italy is through a visit to the museum in Brescello (Reggio Emilia) dedicated to Don Camillo and Peppone, the protagonists of a series of Italian films of worldwide renown.
All five movies, featuring Fernandel as Don Camillo, the parish priest, and Gino Cervi as Peppone, the town’s communist mayor, were filmed in this town. Since its opening in 1989, millions of people from all over the world have visited the museum, which conserves many relics linked to the production of the films such as Peppone’s bicycle, Don Camillo’s cassock, the tank that appeared in one of the films, etc.
All five movies, featuring Fernandel as Don Camillo, the parish priest, and Gino Cervi as Peppone, the town’s communist mayor, were filmed in this town. Since its opening in 1989, millions of people from all over the world have visited the museum, which conserves many relics linked to the production of the films such as Peppone’s bicycle, Don Camillo’s cassock, the tank that appeared in one of the films, etc.
The famous “talking statue of Christ” is now kept in a side chapel of the local church, while the bell that fell on Peppone’s head now hangs from a beam under the arcade along Via Giglioli.