Novaya Zemlya - het Behouden Huys Painting

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