Railway station
Parma - Suzzara
Parma - Chiozzola - Sorbolo - Lentigione - Brescello - Boretto - Pieve Saliceto - Gualtieri - Guastalla - Tagliata - Luzzara - Codisotto - Suzzara
800 198 637 - Information about trains
840 00 216 - Information about urban and suburban buses: call center Seta www.setaweb.it
The service is active Monday-Saturday from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.; Sunday from 08:20 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
]]> Timetable of extra-urban routes
Transport service
840 000 216 - Contact Center Seta (Monday-Saturday from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.; Sunday from 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m., closed on weekday holidays) 840 151 152 - Railway Call Center
Tickets can also be purchased in the tobacconist shops (tabaccheria).
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Here are the maps of the 32 Municipalities of the local editorial staff of Reggio Emilia:
Reggio nell'Emilia
Albinea
Bagnolo in Piano
Bibbiano
Boretto
Brescello
Cadelbosco Sopra
Campagnola Emilia
Campegine
Casalgrande
Castellarano
Castelnovo Sotto
Cavriago
Correggio
Fabbrico
Gattatico
Gualtieri
Guastalla
Luzzara
Montecchio Emilia
Novellara
Poviglio
Quattro Castella
Reggiolo
Rio Saliceto
Rolo
Rubiera
San Martino in Rio
San Polo d'Enza
Sant'Ilario d'Enza
Scandiano
Vezzano sul Crostolo
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Altitude: 24 amsl
Inhabitants: 5 564 (updated to April 30, 2024)
Post code: 42041
Weekly market day: Thursday
Patron Saint: San Genesio (August 25)
Hamlets: Lentigione, Ghiarole, Sorbolo a Mane
0039 0522 482511 - Town Hall
Town Hall of Brescello
Brescello
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the Railway Station of Reggio Emilia: train to Guastalla and then train Suzzara-Parma.
By bus
From Piazzale Europa in Reggio Emilia: public transport service bus No. 93.
Brescello is located at the confluence of the Enza River into the Po, 30 km north of Reggio Emilia.
The ancient Roman colony of Brixellum, already inhabited in proto-historic times, was one of the main centres of the Roman Reggio Emilia province.
In the 4th century St. Ambrosio numbered it among the semi-destroyed Italian cities that he visited in “Padania” in full decline.
It was a Byzantine military centre and soon became a key centre of resistance against the Longobards.
In the battles that followed the town was practically destroyed but revived in the X century under Adalberto Atto of Canossa.
After that it came under the municipality of Parma, of the Visconti family, the Venetians, the Sforza family and, from 1479, the Este family.
Alfonso II d’Este fortified the town in 1553 with a pentagonal city wall that was destroyed in 1703.
In the main square: the Santa Maria Nascente Church, the statue of Hercules, the work by Sansovino in 1553 and the contemporary statues of Don Camillo (in the Church square) and Don Peppone (in front of the Town Hall), and the ancient San Benedetto Monastery (XV century), today a cultural centre, housing the Peppone and Don Camillo Museum.
Brescello is the birthplace of the philosopher Mario Nizzoli and of the librarian Antonio Panizzi (founder of the famous library of the British Museum in London).
There’s no question that much of the fame of this city is linked to the film adaptation of the books by the writer Giovannino Guareschi (1908-1968) who made Brescello the town of "Don Camillo and Peppone", the capital of the “mondo piccolo” (small world) described by the writer.
All the "Don Camillo e Peppone" films were shot in Brescello: it is possible to visit the Peppone e Don Camillo Museum and the Brescello e Guareschi, il territorio e il cinema Museum (Brescello and Guareschi, the territory and the cinema), as well as the Archaeological Museum, in which a rich and significant archaeological collection of findings discovered in the area of ancient Brixellum are conserved.
In spring and summer it is possible to take trips by boat on the Po River and walk along the river bank.
The Spongata, a Christmas dessert with a decidedly soft texture and a spicy taste originates from Brescello. It is said that it was created in the Benedictine monastery in 1480 (Spongata di Berselo).
Brescello Film Festival - June
Projection of films and documentaries, productions that recount the Italian province, and conferences.
San Genesio Festival - August
Stalls and musical performances.
Blessing of Po River - 2nd week of September
Traditional procession with the original statue of the Talking Crucifix from the Don Camillo and Peppone film saga.
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Centro Culturale San Benedetto
Via De Amicis, 2 - 42041 Brescello 0039 0522 482564
+39 351 3302056 ufficioturismo@comune.brescello.re.it
Visit Brescello
All days
10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.; 2.30 - 6.00 p.m.
The entrance ticket is cumulative and includes the entrance into the "Brescello and Guareschi, territory and cinema" Museum, Peppone and Don Camillo Museum and "Albino Umiltà" Roman Archaeological Museum.
€ 6.00 - adults
€ 4.00 - reduced: people aged 6-18, people over 65, university students, conventions and agreements, groups composed of over 25 people.
Free - people aged 0-5, disabled, teachers with school groups, tour guides, journalists, residents in Brescello.
Brescello
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the train station of Reggio Emilia: train to Guastalla and then train Suzzara-Parma.
By bus
From Reggio Emilia, Piazzale Europa: public transport service bus No. 93.
The museum is managed by the Pro Loco association.
At Brescello were shot five films, from 1951 to 1965, whose inspiration was drawn from the famous characters created by writer Giovanni Guareschi and played by Fernandel and Gino Cervi. In the museum are kept many relics linked to the production of the films (e.g. Fernandel's cassock, Peppone's motorbike, and so on). In the large square in front of the museum is placed the tank that appeared in a famous scene of one of the films; the bell that fell on Peppone's head is now hanging from a beam under the arcade along via Giglioli. The famous talking Crucified is now kept in a side chapel of the S. Maria Maggiore church. All the films are repeatedly shown during the visit. Tourists can buy Guareschi's books, copies of dvds of several films, the "Lambrusco Don Camillo" wine and local typical cakes as the "Spongata" or the "Zuffe".
Centro Culturale San Benedetto
Via Cavallotti, 37 - 42041 Brescello 0039 0522 482564
+39 351 3302056 ufficioturismo@comune.brescello.re.it
Museo Archeologico
Al days
10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.; 2.30 - 6.00 p.m.
The entrance ticket is cumulative and includes the entrance into the "Brescello and Guareschi, territory and cinema" Museum, Peppone and Don Camillo Museum and "Albino Umiltà" Roman Archaeological Museum.
€ 6.00 - adults
€ 4.00 - people aged 6-18, people over 65, university students, conventions and agreements, groups composed of over 25 people.
Free - people aged 0-5, disabled, teachers with school groups, tour guides, journalists, residents in Brescello.
Brescello
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the train station of Reggio Emilia: train to Guastalla and then train Suzzara-Parma
By bus
From Piazzale Europa public transport service bus No. 93
Brescello, or Brixellum, was a fundamental settlement for Imperial Rome, located in a strategic area along the streets of our territory. The history of Brescello about 26 centuries ago, before Reggiana (Regium Lepidi) and the territory of Brescia extended beyond the current border with the province of Parma to the west and included the territory of the current boretto municipality to the east.
Centro Culturale San Benedetto
Via De Amicis, 2 - 42041 Brescello 0039 0522 482564
+39 351 3302056 ufficioturismo@comune.brescello.re.it
Visit Brescello
All days
10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.; 2.30 - 6.00 p.m.
The entrance ticket is cumulative and includes the entrance to "Brescello and Guareschi, territory and cinema" Museum, Peppone and Don Camillo Museum and Roman Archaeological Museum.
€ 6.00 - adults
€ 4.00 - reduced - people aged 6-18, people over 65, university students, conventions and agreements, groups composed of over 25 people.
Free - people aged 0-5, disabled, teachers with school groups, tour guides, journalists, residents in Brescello.
Brescello
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the train station of Reggio Emilia: train to Guastalla and then train Suzzara-Parma
By bus
From Piazzale Europa public transport service bus No. 93
In the Museum are on display movie machineries coming from the original set, agricultural instruments of the 50s. Inaugurated in 2009, this Museum offers to visitors and tourists the chance to explore different curious aspects of the territory.
]]>Via Cavallotti, 31 - 42041 Brescello 0039 0522 687110
0039 0522 482520
See the opening times of the Archaeological museum and of the Peppone and Don Camillo Museum
Brescello
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the train station of Reggio Emilia: train to Guastalla and then train Suzzara-Parma
By bus
From Piazzale Europa public transport bus n° 93
It houses the self-managed Senior Citizens Centre, the “Peppone e Don Camillo” Museum, a collection donated by the stringed instrument maker Raffaele Vaccari, the Antonio Panizzi library, the toy library and video library, the Prampolini conference room, the archaeological museum, the youth information centre, and the Sala Zatti in which classical music concerts and cultural conferences are held.
As of 1553 the convent also held a boarding-school for girls.
In 1798 the monastery was closed.
In 1873 the building was purchased by the Municipality of Brescello and used as a barracks.
In the early 1900s, the wing facing Via I Maggio was remodelled to house an elementary school, while the remaining part of the building was used for private flats and small artisan workshops.
In 1933, the south and east wings were demolished, while the central body housed the Fascist Party Headquarters, with rooms set up for meetings and orchestra rehearsals.
It houses the self-managed Senior Citizens Centre, the “Peppone e Don Camillo” Museum, a collection donated by the stringed instrument maker Raffaele Vaccari, the Antonio Panizzi library, the toy library and video library, the Prampolini conference room, the archaeological museum, the youth information centre, and the Sala Zatti in which classical music concerts and cultural conferences are held.
As of 1553 the convent also held a boarding-school for girls.In 1798 the monastery was closed.In 1873 the building was purchased by the Municipality of Brescello and used as a barracks.In the early 1900s, the wing facing Via I Maggio was remodelled to house an elementary school, while the remaining part of the building was used for private flats and small artisan workshops.In 1933, the south and east wings were demolished, while the central body housed the Fascist Party Headquarters, with rooms set up for meetings and orchestra rehearsals.
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Via Santa Maria 2 - 42041 Brescello
Phone 0039 0522 687250
From 09:30 a.m. to 12:00 and from 03:15 p.m. to 07:00 p.m.
See the indication to reach Brescello
The works for the creation of the façade were completed at the end of the XIX century, with the addition of the statues of the Madonna del Rosario and San Genesio at the sides.
Inside one can admire various works by the local painter Carlo Zatti. The organ dates back to 1767 and has five bays with 33 pipes.The church was used as a site for the filming of various episodes of the popular films featuring Peppone and Don Camillo. Well-known to those who enjoyed the films, the “Crocifisso Parlante” (Talking Crucifix), a work by the Veronese artist Bruno Avesani, was located on the left of the entrance in the chapel that served as baptistery.
A curious detail is the portal arch on the façade, which was not part of the original structure, added in 1955 as a donation of Rizzoli, the company which produced the fortunate series of films.
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42041 Brescello
0039 0522 482564; 0039 351 3302056 (WhatsApp)
ufficioturismo@comune.brescello.re.it
www.visitbrescello.it/en
All days 10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.; 2.30 - 6.00 p.m.
PRICES
Full: € 6.00
Reduced: € 4.00 (6-18 years; over 70; university students under 25; journalists.
Free: 0-5 years; disabled with helper; residents in Brescello; visitors on their birthday; school teachers.
Schools: 4.00 € per student.
As Giovannino Guareschi wrote, Brescello is a small village in a small area between the Po River and the Apennines. It is still the “little world” made of genuine people, good food and a marvellous landscape. Brescello is still the destination of thousands of people, who are curious to visit the town of Don Camillo and Peppone. One can start with the open-air film set in the town and then finish with the tour of the museums.
One can discover the ancient history and enjoy the typical landscape of the river. It is possible to purchase the tickets at the Tourist Office
Click here to know the entrance prices of the museums.
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the Reggio Emilia Railway Station: train to Guastalla then train Suzzara-Parma.
By bus
From Reggio Emilia, Piazzale Europa: public transport bus No. 93.
Turist information office
Via Cavallotti, 24 - 42041 Brescello Re 0039 0522 482564
ufficioturismo@comune.brescello.re.it
Here you find some suggestion to discover Brescello and its territory, with many tematic itineraries on the footsteps of Peppone and Don Camillo, of their author Giovannino Guareschi and along the shores of the great protagonist of these lands: the majestic Po river.
Brescello and its surroundings
Brescello
By car
National Road SS62 (Mantua to Parma).
By train
From the train station of Reggio Emilia: train to Guastalla and then train Suzzara-Parma
By bus
From Piazzale Europa public transport Seta n.93
His bust is still present inside the British Library in London and another one is present in Rome, along Viale dell'Orologio, inside the gardens of Pincio.
]]>It is a real delicacy in Reggio Emilia’s cuisine and an absolute must on the Christmas Eve and Boxing Day dinner table. Its name apparently derives from “sponga”, i.e. sponge, due to the pinched appearance of the surface which indeed makes it look like a sponge.
The skill in making spongata lies in the filling. Firstly you need walnuts from the hills around Reggio Emilia, which have to be prepared as soon as they are gathered. They are cracked open and the kernel is taken out: the Christmas production of spongata requires about 10,000 kilos of kernels. Each ingredient has to be expertly mixed within precise working times that have to be strictly observed. The chopped walnuts are spread out together with the honey on a large table and mixing begins. Almonds and raisins are then added and blended into the mix; then, when the filling has hardened, the pine kernels are added in last since they are the most delicate ingredients and must not break. The mixture should be made using wooden spatulas and hands. Lastly, the mixture is sprinkled with no less than thirteen different types of spices, which give spongata flavour and character.
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