Situated in the north-western side of the Reggio Emilia province, in Northern Italy, Brescello lies on the southern shore of the river Po near the confluence with the Enza. The town is famous for being the set for one of Italy's most loved film series: that of Peppone and Don Camillo, played by Gino Cervi and Fernandel and based on the books by Giovannino Guareschi. The stories are set in Guareschi's "small world", an excellent representation of the rural Italy after the second world war. Many stories are satirical and take on the political divide between the Italian Roman Catholic Church and the Italian Communist Party. Don Camillo is constantly at odds with the communist mayor, Giuseppe Bottazzi, "Peppone" and through the crucifix of his church he hears the voice of Christ that has to constantly but gently reprimand the priest for his impatience, but Peppone and Camillo sometimes work together for the well-being of Brescello. Brescello has dedicated a museum to these two characters who have become symbolic of Emilia after the World War. The crucifix which speaks to Don Camillo in the movie is not in the museum, but in its original location, the church of Santa Maria Nascente.