The Italian Catholic diocese of Bitonto, in Apulia

Apulia

Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...

, had a short independent existence from 1982 to 1986. In the latter year it was united into the Archdiocese of Bari, forming the Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto.. Before 1982 it was united into the diocese of Ruvo e Bitonto, a combination that existed from 1818.

History

Bishop Anderano (about 734) belonged either to Bitonto or the diocese of Bisignano

Diocese of Bisignano

The former Italian Catholic diocese of Bisignano, in Calabria, existed from the eighth century until 1818. In that year it was united with the diocese of San Marco, to create the diocese of San Marco e Bisignano...

; Arnolfo (1087) was the first undoubted Bishop of Bitonto. Other bishops include:

• Enrico Minutolo (1382), later cardinal;
• Cornelio Musso
  Cornelio Musso
  Cornelio Musso was an Italian Friar Minor Conventual, and Bishop of Bitonto, prominent at the Council of Trent. He was, perhaps, the most renowned orator of his day, styled the "Italian Demosthenes"...
  
   (1544), a Franciscan Conventual, participant at the Council of Trent
  Council of Trent
  The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
  
  ;
• Fabrizio Carafa (1622), founder of a literary academy;
• Alessandro Crescenti (1652), later cardinal.