Whilst we were in Istanbul, we visited Topkapi Palace but I was not able to publish a brief summary. Here it is:

Topkapi Palace.

We have visited this palace before but never well-briefed. This time I read the accounts of it relayed in a guide to Istanbul. It is the largest in Istanbul comprising three Courts: the first, the court of the Janisseries, contains the Imperial Mint and the Church of Hagia Irene which survived as a storehouses  and armory; the second court, used by the Sultan to hold audiences and to dispense justice. On the left are the chambers of the Divan or Council with a golden grill or eye of the sultan; the inner treasury containing inter alia the sword of M the C; the palace of kitchens;  and the entrance to the Harem - family, concubines and various numbers of eunuchs. Famous occupants include Ibrahim the Mad, corrupt, misruling, and sexual excesses - he was eventually murdered and replaced by his son.

The third courtyard or inner palace, entered through the Gate of Felicity, contains the throne room  or audience chamber the sultan on a canopied throne  received viziers, officials and foreign ambassadors. 

The most overwhelming impact and one that cannot be recorded olefactorily here is the aroma of hyacinths that hits you on entry to the palace. So whilst I have plenty of photographs of the palace itself, this one of the gardens is included so at east I can share the visual impact with my readers.