In late 19th century, a carver-cutter arrives in a little town to make the iconostasis of the newly built church. He is being accommodated in the house of a respected family. He is working slowly because of his love for the daughter of his hosts. They resist in every possible way and pay a high price: Their daughter dies. Though in despair, the master completes the iconostasis: a masterpiece the locals perceive as a heresy. And he leaves once again without any destination.

After a successful concert, the famous singer Lina Dimova disappears. She travels to the seaside, where she pretends to be mute and lives in the cabin of Manol at the bed of Ropotamo River.

1876. The Turks murder the parents of the 14-year-old Rali. His only relative is sentenced to life imprisonment in the Asian fortress. Rali walks after the condemned men. After a long and painful road, he reaches the fortress. He finds help from the old man and his daughter. With their assistance, he organizes the escape of the condemned. After numerous adventures the fugitives reaches the motherland. They enlist in a Bulgarian rebel army together with the Russian soldiers of the Russian-Turkish War for the freedom of Bulgaria.