Dutch mariner Willem Barentsz and his crew were stranded on an island in the Russian Nova Zembla archipelago in the winter of 1596-1597. They deconstructed one of their ships to build a shelter to brave the cold and the polar bears: the legendary 'het Behouden Huys'. Nova Zembla was cold, barren and hostile; many of them died an icy death. However, as a result of climate change, the permafrost is now starting to thaw and new flora and fauna are developing. Attempts are even being made to start agriculture on the former permafrost.