The Byzantine Museum of Halkidiki is housed in Nea Flogita, in the old monastery of the Athonite monastery of Agios Panteleimon. The first clear reference to the old monastery dates back to 1311. The existing buildings date from 1853 to 1909. In the 1920s, a hospital of the American Red Cross was established with the Main Building serving as its main building unit. During World War II, the complex was converted into a headquarters for the occupying forces, and in 1960, after a devastating fire, it was abandoned. In 1999 the complex became the property of the Ministry of Culture and the 10th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities. Today, the monumental complex, occupying an area of about 27 acres, consists of a complex of two buildings of the original core (Central and Old Building), a peripheral (individual building), as well as various other facilities. The Byzantine Museum of Halkidiki is part of a multi-purpose cultural centre called the Centre of Byzantine Culture of Halkidiki “Justinian”. The work of organizing its permanent exhibition is in progress, while the public has been given rooms on the ground floor (a reception and service area for visitors and a room with antiquities of the Early Christian and Byzantine periods). Add to this the Open Laboratory for the Conservation of Icons and Manuscripts, which is already open and visited by the public, and one has the full picture of a multi-purpose cultural centre, which will be offered for the whole family and as a promenade with a traditional café.