The present church of Hagia Sophia was erected on the ruins of an older basilica some time in the 7th or 8th century. The oldest mention of the church is found in a letter written by Theodore the Studite to his uncle, recounting his prayer in the church on March 25th, 795. During the short period of Latin rule (1205- 1224) and until 1523/4 (when it was converted into a mosque), Hagia Sophia served as Thessaloniki’s cathedral. Many repairs and reconstructions effectively altered its plan, and it suffered extensive damages during the fire of 1890. The monument was restored in 1908-1910 and was converted back into a church in 1913, soon after the liberation of Thessaloniki by the Greek army.