An ambitious series, set in the Ottoman Empire of the 19th century, which spans a period of 40 years. At the cusp of a new century, in an era beset by major political change and turmoil, peasants began rising up in strength to the detriment of wealthy merchants families. The story follows three generations of a rich Serbian Christian family living in the northern part of the Empire – in the city of Vranje, who are fighting for survival through various moral crises, facing decline. Trifun is a wealthy leader of the Christian minority under the Ottoman rule who, while trying to preserve his wealth and power, sets off a chain of events that cause terrible consequences for his family. What follows is a tale of forbidden love, intrigue, murder, arranged marriages, revenge, friendship and enmity between Serbs, Albanians and Turks.