SALPI. - Ancient diocese. The ancient "Elpie," "Salapia," "Salapinon," near present-day Trinitapoli (province of Foggia), was distinguished into a Greek "Salapia" and a Roman "Salapia" and, according to the notaries of the 1500s, into "Salapia vetus et nova," because, once the first was destroyed owing to the unhealthy air, the second was built in a healthier place.
The Greek one, as Vitruvius states, was situated four miles from the seashore, toward the West, between the salt lake and the tower of Rivoli; the Roman one, seven miles from the former, toward the East, stood near present-day Montaltino. The silt deposits of the rivers Cervaro and Carapelle, which at that point turn into marshland, have caused their ruins to disappear. It is known that the Greek "Salapia" had a great port, the landing place of Arpi or Argiripa (Foggia). Its bishopric begins with a series of about twenty bishops, whose historically best-attested names run from the 11th century to the 16th century, as F. Lanzoni demonstrates. The last of them, Tommaso Stella, transferred to Lavello in 1544, closes the series, and S., from being a suffragan of Bari, is perpetually subjected to the jurisdiction of the archbishop of Trani. In 1310 the bishop was taxed for one ounce and the Chapter and the clergy of S. for 2 ounces and 12 tari by the Apostolic See. Dependent on S. are found Tressanti, Stornara and the prepositura of Canosa.
According to the Regetta Angioina the bishop exacted the right of fowling and of fishing in the salt and fresh Pantano and the terrage of his territories (1271). The two marshes were extremely rich in eels. King Charles I had, near the marsh, a Palace and Chapel; he willed that the 30 ducats that the Duke of Burgundy was to give to the Curia of S. be given to Bishop Pietro of that same city for the construction of the bell tower of St. Nicholas, the city's principal church (1271), and in 1283 he granted to that same bishop the privilege of the fair of St. Margaret, virgin and martyr, for eight days of the month of July.
Bibliography7 works
Salvatore Santeramo