Salapia (also called Salpe and Salpi) is an ancient settlement and bishopric in Daunia, Italy near Cerignola and

Manfredonia Manfredonia is a town and commune of Apulia, Italy, in the province of Foggia, from which it is northeast by rail. Manfredonia is situated on the coast, facing east, to the south of Monte Gargano, and gives its name to the gulf to the east of i ...

. The settlement was probably built for and named after the salt marsh - the ancient Lake Salpi is now

Saline di Margherita di Savoia Saline di Margherita di Savoia is a salt marsh in the province of Foggia in Apulia. The marsh is on the coast of Italy bordering the Gulf of Manfredonia in the Adriatic Sea. The marsh consists of several canals running longitudinally and transver ...

. Salapia is mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Ptolemy and probably the "Elpia" of

Strabo Strabo''Strabo'' (meaning "squinty", as in strabismus) was a term employed by the Romans for anyone whose eyes were distorted or deformed. The father of Pompey was called "Pompeius Strabo". A native of Sicily so clear-sighted that he could see ...

, but according to Smith (1857) in relation to the later town, and not an earlier original settlement.

Bishop of Salpi

Salapia had a bishop as early as A.D. 314, but the bishopric was later removed to

Trani Trani () is a seaport of Apulia, in southern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, by railway west-northwest of Bari. It is one of the capital cities of the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. History Overview The city of ''Turenum'' appears for the fir ...

.Johannes Boersma -Mutatio Valentia: The late Roman baths at Valesio, Salento -2006 Page 43 "Salapia, for instance, had a bishop as early as A.D. 314" The titular bishopric "Bishop of Salpi" remained active till the Council of Trent.

References

{{reflist Archaeological sites in Apulia