On March 27, 1638 CE, a devastating earthquake struck the Calabria region in the Kingdom of Sicily (modern-day Italy). The quake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, though the exact number of casualties is uncertain. This event was one of the most destructive earthquakes to hit southern Italy in the 17th century.

The 1638 Calabria earthquake was recorded in Italian chronicles and inspired a wave of religious and moralistic writings. The disaster was interpreted as a punishment for sin and contributed to the apocalyptic and penitential themes that were common in the literature of the Italian Baroque. The event is a significant part of the historical background for the works of poets and writers who grappled with the problem of human suffering and divine justice.